Weekend awards: Best goal, moment and more

Football writer David Coverdale looks at the standout players and moments from Matchweek 8 so far.

Best goal - Nick Woltemade (Newcastle)

A good touch for a big man? That would be the understatement of the season.

Newcastle United’s giant German forward Nick Woltemade had already made a big impression for his new club following his summer move from Stuttgart.

But the 6ft 6in striker produced a real moment of magic on Saturday for his fifth goal in just six starts across all competitions for the Magpies.

With Newcastle trailing at Brighton & Hove Albion, Woltemade levelled the scores in stunning style when he flicked Lewis Miley’s squared ball into the bottom corner with his right heel and it was voted the best goal of the weekend by fans on the Premier League WhatsApp channel.

Watch Woltemade's goal v Brighton

His inspired finish ultimately counted for nothing, as Danny Welbeck clinched victory for the home side eight minutes later with his second goal of the match.

But Woltemade’s audacious backheel was further proof that the forward has many strings to his bow, having previously netted with two headers and a penalty in the Premier League, as well as scoring with another flick in the UEFA Champions League.

“It’s not your classic centre-forward’s goal, but he has the ability to do these things,” admitted Magpies boss Eddie Howe.

“He’s a very good instinctive player in those moments and it was an incredible goal.”

Woltemade is the fifth player to score four or more goals in their first five Premier League appearances for Newcastle, joining Callum Wilson, Loic Remy, Michael Owen and Les Ferdinand.

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler – a countryman of Woltemade – added: “He scored an unbelievable goal. I am impressed with how fast he’s adapted to the Premier League.”

Best impact off the bench - Loum Tchaouna (Burnley)

A super strike from a super sub sealed a precious three points for Burnley.

With the Clarets already a goal to the good and looking to wrap up victory against fellow promoted side Leeds United, Scott Parker brought Loum Tchaouna off the bench in the 58th minute at Turf Moor.

It proved to be an inspired move as just 10 minutes after the France Under-21 winger's introduction, he picked up the ball from Florentino, turned and then let leash with a powerful, dipping 30-yard strike which rifled into the top left corner.

Watch Tchaouna's goal v Leeds

It was Tchaouna’s first goal for Burnley in nine appearances following his summer switch from Lazio – and it even caused his manager to pick up an injury!

“I’ve done my knee from celebrating,” Parker told the club’s YouTube channel. "But it was definitely worth it.

“I would have taken more than just an injury on my knee for three points and the performance that we got – and certainly the goal that Loum produced.

“As soon as it left his foot, it was in. It was an incredible goal and something he’s capable of. We see it all the time in training. He’s a very, very good finisher.

“The second goal gave us the oxygen we needed to go on and win the game.”

Tchaouna celebrated his special strike with a salute and later revealed the meaning behind the gesture.

“That was for my father,” he said. “He told me 'when you score, you can salute.'

“I am very happy. I work every day for this. It was a beautiful goal.”

Best assist - Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)

Before the weekend, Bruno Fernandes had created more chances without providing an assist than any other player in the Premier League this season.

Well, the Manchester United captain put that statistic to bed against Liverpool on Sunday – and in some style.

After Bryan Mbeumo saw his shot from Fernandes’ corner blocked by Federico Chiesa, the ball found its way back out to the Portuguese playmaker on the left.

With no opponent near him, Fernandes had time to bring the ball down and pick out his next pass.

Instead, he caught the Liverpool defence off guard by lifting it back into the middle of the box with a first-time volley, a cross which found Harry Maguire to head home and clinch Man Utd’s first victory at Anfield since 2016.

Watch: Fernandes' assist for Maguire v Liverpool

“It was a world-class ball,” former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp said on Sky Sports. “Because he doesn’t take a touch, he doesn’t give the Liverpool defence chance to set themselves. They haven’t got time to react.”

Fernandes has now recorded 52 Premier League assists for Man Utd, the fifth-most behind only club legends Ryan Giggs (162), Wayne Rooney (93), David Beckham (80) and Paul Scholes (55).

An honourable mention must also go to Kyle Walker for his pinpoint cross to tee up Lesley Ugochukwu for Burnley’s opener against Leeds.

It was the England right-back’s 37th Premier League assist, placing him sixth in the all-time list among defenders.

Burnley head coach Parker said: “In terms of professional sport, you’re relying on bits of brilliance and the first goal showed that with Kyle Walker’s cross.

“If you could have placed the ball where it needed to go, you’d have been spot on and the execution of the header. They’re the fine margins, the quality you need in this league.”

Best pass - Matty Cash (Aston Villa)

Emiliano Buendia scored the goal and Lucas Digne claimed the assist.

But Matty Cash deserves special recognition for the pass which led to Aston Villa’s winner against Tottenham Hotspur.

The right-back was his team’s last man when the ball made its way back to him after Spurs cleared a Villa corner.

However, running backwards into his own half, Cash displayed incredible vision and technique to volley a cross-field pass out to his fellow full-back Digne on the right wing.

Watch Cash's brilliant pass v Spurs

Digne’s deft control was every bit as good as Cash’s ball, allowing him to lay it off to Buendia, who bent inside the left post.

“That’s got to be the ball of the season,” former Man Utd captain and ex-Aston Villa coach Roy Keane said on Sky Sports. “Absolutely fantastic. A great goal to win any football match.”

Cash himself enjoyed his personal contribution, telling the official Villa website: “It was a nice pass! It paid off.

“We work on set pieces and second phases and always try and hit the furthest man. It was a nice contact and a great win.”

Having failed to win any of their first five Premier League matches, Villa have now claimed three victories on the spin.

Best written instruction - Chelsea

What the note actually said remains a mystery.

But the written message Chelsea’s coaching staff passed on to their players in the closing stages at Nottingham Forest on Saturday certainly seemed to have the desired effect.

With 12 minutes to go at the City Ground, and with head coach Enzo Maresca sitting in the stands because of a touchline ban, the Blues brought on Estevao for Pedro Neto.

The Brazilian substitute arrived on the pitch carrying a piece of paper, which he passed straight to captain Reece James, who then handed it over to Moises Caicedo after a quick read.

Caicedo actually played for a few minutes with the note in his hand, before returning it to James.

And no sooner had the England right-back tucked the paper under his socks, than he popped up with Chelsea’s match-clinching third goal.

It was the first time James – who was making his 200th appearance for the Blues in all competitions – had scored and assisted in the same match since October 2022.

Talk about the power of the pen.

Most wholesome moment - Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Kenny Dalglish

There was once a time when these two were the fiercest of rivals.

Given Ferguson’s legendary status at Man Utd, and Dalglish’s long association with Liverpool, it seemed the only thing the pair shared was the city of their birth – Glasgow.

That was until Sunday, when the two great Scots were spotted together in the stands during the half-time interval at Anfield.  

Not only were they seen smiling and joking, Ferguson even held out of his bag of Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons for his old adversary Dalglish, who happily took one of the chocolate treats on offer.

“Two Knights of the Realm, once rivals, now friendly enough to be sharing their half-time snacks,” laughed Sky Sports presenter Kelly Cates – the daughter of Dalglish – over footage of the wholesome moment, which was enjoyed by supporters of both clubs.