Premier League Team of the Week – Iwobi stars as Fulham shock Liverpool, Southampton relegated | OneFootball

Matchday 31 of the 2024/25 Premier League season produced several surprising results.

Title-chasing Liverpool lost 3-2 at Fulham, while the Manchester derby ended goalless at Old Trafford.

Southampton became the first team to be relegated to the Championship following a 3-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.

There is still one game to come on Matchday 31. Newcastle United will visit Leicester City aiming to re-enter the top five tonight.

Here are the individuals who shone brightest this week:

Goalkeeper – Mark Flekken – Brentford

Brentford recorded their first clean sheet at home this season in a 0-0 draw against Chelsea at the Gtech Community Stadium.

After a tepid first half, the visitors improved after the break. and Brentford were thankful to their goalkeeper for keeping things level.

Mark Flekken made six saves, including diving efforts to keep out Pedro Neto and Reece James.

The Dutchman oozed calmness as he cut out pressure on multiple occasions by collecting crosses with aplomb.

Right-back – Daniel Munoz – Crystal Palace

Nine-man Crystal Palace beat ten-man Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 at Selhurst Park to take their unbeaten run to eight in all competitions.

Eddie Nketiah and Marc Guehi were dismissed for the Eagles, while Jan Paul van Hecke was given his marching orders for the away side.

After Danny Welbeck cancelled out Jean-Philippe Mateta’s opener, the winner for Palace came on 55 minutes.

Daniel Munoz received a pass from Eberechi Eze on the edge of the penalty area before drilling a deflected effort into the far corner.

Centre-back – Noussair Mazraoui – Manchester United

The Manchester derby at Old Trafford was not the most entertaining affair. Neither side created much of note in a goalless draw.

United’s defence held firm, restricting the defending champions to an expected goals (xG) number of just 0.49.

Noussair Mazraoui was particularly solid, nullifying the attacking threat of Nico O’Reilly and substitutes Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish on City’s left.

The Moroccan also put in a perfect last-ditch challenge to thwart Phil Foden in the second half.

Centre-back – Axel Disasi – Aston Villa

Aston Villa produced a fine first-half performance to beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 at Villa Park.

Goals from Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen gave the hosts a 2-0 lead going into half-time. Substitute Jota Silva pulled one back for Forest with over half an hour to play.

Chris Wood’s absence through injury would have been a relief for the Villa centre-backs, but Axel Disasi had a fantastic outing.

The Frenchman won all five duels, as Villa recorded their seventh successive win in all competitions.

Left-back – Ian Maatsen – Aston Villa)

Most of Villa’s attacking threat against Forest came down their left, with Ian Maatsen bombing forward at every possible opportunity.

The Dutchman could have scored in the sixth minute, but his attempt was well saved by Mats Sels.

Maatsen continued to be a thorn in Forest’s side, and set up Malen for Villa’s second goal.

He also dealt with the threat of Anthony Elanga, who was ultimately taken off at half-time.

Centre-midfield – Moises Caicedo – Chelsea

Chelsea’s recent form has been indifferent, with the draw at Brentford marking the eighth successive away game they have failed to win.

Moises Caicedo has been the most consistent player during that run.

The Ecuadorian once again ran proceedings in the middle of the park against the Bees, completing more successful passes than anyone else on the pitch.

He was also at his combative best, winning all his tackles and not getting dribbled past once.

Centre-midfield – Casemiro – Manchester United

Pep Guardiola flooded the centre of the pitch at Old Trafford, with Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic all named in the starting XI.

It was imperative for the two United midfielders, Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte, not to let City settle into a rhythm and pass their way into the penalty area.

Casemiro has not had the best of seasons but produced a determined display.

The 33-year-old won seven tackles, made two interceptions and came out on top in 13 out of 17 duels.

Right-wing – Brennan Johnson – Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur consigned Southampton to an immediate return to the Championship with a comfortable 3-1 victory.

Brennan Johnson was on target twice in the first half to take his Premier League tally for the season into double figures.

The Welshman was then fouled in the area in the final minute of the game, with Mathys Tel putting away the resultant penalty.

Attacking midfield – Pablo Sarabia – Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolverhampton Wanderers all but confirmed their Premier League safety with a 2-1 victory over Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

Vitor Pereira’s side are now 12 points clear of the relegation places with seven games remaining.

Pablo Sarabia entered the game in the 65th minute and equalised seven minutes later with a low effort.

The former Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain man also set up Jorgen Strand Larsen to tap home the winner.

Left-wing – Alex Iwobi – Fulham

Fulham produced a breathtaking flurry in 15 first-half minutes to beat champions-elect Liverpool 3-2 at Craven Cottage.

Alexis Mac Allister had seemed to put the Reds on their way to another three points before goals from Ryan Sessegnon, Alex Iwobi and Rodrigo Muniz gave Marco Silva’s side a 3-1 lead going into the break.

Luis Diaz pulled one back with 18 minutes to go, but Fulham held firm to subject Liverpool to only their second league defeat this season and their first in 27 games.

Centre-forward – Evanilson – Bournemouth

Bournemouth’s faltering run continued as they were held to a draw by West Ham United at the London Stadium.

The Cherries took the lead in the first half through Evanilson, but the home side turned things around with goals from Niklas Fullkrug and Jarrod Bowen.

Bournemouth made it 2-2 with ten minutes to go, with their striker once again being at the right place at the right time to score.

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