🏆 PL Awards: Managerial casualties, xG pain, an homage to an icon | OneFootball

It was an eventful weekend of action in the Premier League with big wins, shock results and managerial departures.

It’s time to hand out some awards.

The Final Straw Award

Sunday saw not one but two high-profile managerial casualties, with Brendan Rodgers dismissed by Leicester shortly before Graham Potter lost his Chelsea job after just 31 matches in charge.

Make that 13 Premier League managers sacked now this season.

The Sums It Up Award

During his time at Brighton, Potter’s side’s persistent ability to underperform their xG became a running joke.

So perhaps it was fitting that one of his final quotes in charge of Chelsea was this …

The Everything Everywhere All At Once Award

The weekend began with Manchester City’s 4-1 victory over Liverpool, a match in which City’s John Stones seemed to be playing right back, defensive midfield and number 10 all at the same time.

How about that for versatility.

The He Has Risen Award

League leaders Arsenal maintained their eight-point cushion at the top of the table thanks to a 4-1 victory of their own over Leeds, in which Gabriel Jesus netted his first two goals since returning from knee surgery.

Jesus re-emerging just in time for Easter. How about that.

The Age Is Just A Number Award

At lot was made of Crystal Palace re-appointing 75-year-old Roy Hodgson as their manager last week, but the old boy showed he’s still got it with a 2-1 win over Leicester in his first match back in charge at Selhurst Park.

That makes him the oldest manager ever to win a Premier League match, and it was Palace’s first league win of 2023, ending a 13-game winless run.

Welcome back Roy.

The Spitting Mad Award

Wolves’ Daniel Podence had quite the afternoon at the City Ground on Saturday.

First he netted a late equaliser to earn his side a precious point.

Before he triggered a VAR review as he allegedly spat at Brennan Johnson, in an incident the FA are now investigating after he avoided a red card.

The Shooting Gallery Award

On Saturday the Amex Stadium bore witness to a thrilling 3-3 draw between Brighton and Brentford.

Brighton needed a late Alexis Mac Allister penalty to earn a point, but only they will know how they didn’t win when you consider these stats.

A throwback to the Potter era from Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls, you might say.

The Home Away From Home Award

It was Ollie Watkins who opened the scoring for Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, meaning he has now scored in each of his last five away games for the club.

Villa travel to face managerless Leicester on Tuesday night, and Watkins will no doubt be licking his lips.

The Eat My Goal Award

It is at this time of year that many Muslim players around the world are getting on with their jobs while fasting for Ramadan.

One of those players is West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd, who scored his first goal for the club to earn a vital 1-0 win over Southampton on Sunday.

Who needs food and water?

The Homage To An Icon Award

It was Joe Willock who set Newcastle on their way to a 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday which lifted the Magpies up to third in the table.

And Willock confirmed after the match that his corner flag celebration was a tribute to his hero Thierry Henry.

Henry would have been proud of Willock’s performance at St James’ Park too.

The Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder Award

If there was any doubt about Casemiro’s importance to Manchester United, this stat sums the Brazilian’s influence up.

The worrying thing for Erik ten Hag’s side is that they still have two more matches to play before their midfield lynchpin returns from suspension.