Weekend awards: Best goal, wholesome moment and more

Football writer David Coverdale hands out his personal accolades for Matchweek 17.

Best goal - Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)

For the first time this season, the same player has scooped the best goal award in two consecutive weekends.

In Matchweek 16, Morgan Rogers’ winning strike at West Ham United earned the most votes from fans on the Premier League WhatsApp channel.

And this weekend, the Aston Villa playmaker topped the poll again, with his stunning opener in Sunday's 2-1 win against Manchester United.

On the stroke of half-time at Villa Park, John McGinn played it out to Rogers, whose first touch took the ball towards the left touchline.

But the England international quickly retrieved it and cut inside Leny Yoro, before bending the ball into the far corner beyond Senne Lammens, who remained rooted to the spot.

Watch: Rogers' stunning opener v Man Utd

“It’s hard work, it’s long hours, you want them all to go in the top corner like that, so it’s nice when it does,” Rogers told Sky Sports after the game.

The 23-year-old went on to net a second-half winner in similar fashion, to become the first Villa player to score two or more goals in back-to-back Premier League games since Dion Dublin in 1998.

“I am feeling really confident and I am enjoying my football,” added Rogers. “The team give me that belief and allow me to be me.”

Rogers’ second goal also brought about the best celebration of the weekend from his manager Unai Emery, who ripped off his coat and threw it in the air before spreading out his arms and letting out a loud roar.

“He has performed fantastic,” Emery said about his two-goal hero. “I am really happy because he is a fighter and a good guy.”

Best tackle – Reece James (Chelsea)

Not content with scoring a fabulous free-kick to get Chelsea back in the match at St James’ Park, Reece James helped his side secure a point with a sensational last-ditch tackle.

Newcastle United, whose two-goal lead had been wiped out by the visitors, had a chance to go ahead again in the 78th minute when Yoane Wissa played Harvey Barnes through on goal.

But James was alert to the danger and sprinted back into the box to slide in and nick the ball away from Barnes, just as the Magpies winger was about to pull the trigger.

The importance of the Chelsea captain’s challenge was not lost on goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who rushed towards James and gave him a huge hug, before other team-mates also came over to congratulate him.

“That’s brilliant defending,” said former Scotland striker Ally McCoist on TNT Sports commentary. “Where did he come from? That is magnificent.”

Ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart said on the BBC's Match of the Day: “Scoring a 30-yard free-kick is all well and good, but when you are playing in defence late in the game, you need moments like that.

“It was a huge moment, winning a point for his team on the road.”

Best skill - Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)

The goal was scored by Tijjani Reijnders and the assist went to Erling Haaland.

But Man City’s magnificent second goal against West Ham would not have happened without the fantastic footwork of Rayan Cherki.

As Hammers midfielder Mateus Fernandes overran the ball trying to bring it out from the back, Cherki nicked it off him with his left foot and, in the blink of an eye, shifted it onto his right, creating space to dribble into the box.

He then threaded a pass through two defenders to Haaland, who knocked it on to Reijnders to finish off an exquisite team move.

Watch: Cherki's deft footwork

“Cherki showed magnificent feet and Reijnders capped off an incredible move,” added Hart on the BBC's Match of the Day.

It is the third successive match at Etihad Stadium where Cherki has wowed the crowd with his skills, after he provided a rabona assist for Phil Foden against Leeds United in the Premier League, then scored a stunning goal against Brentford in the EFL Cup.

“He’s a guy who plays like he was playing on the street,” said his manager Pep Guardiola before the 3-0 win over West Ham. “But I want to push him! I don’t want to give too many compliments.”

Biggest redemption - Nick Woltemade (Newcastle)

Nick Woltemade endured a nightmare in Matchweek 16 when he scored an own goal to gift Sunderland victory in the Tyne-Wear derby.

The Newcastle striker was the butt of jokes on Wearside all week, with Black Cats supporters creating chants and memes mocking him.

But Woltemade has been brilliantly backed by his own fans, who held up a huge flag with his picture on at St James’ Park on Saturday.

And the giant German repaid their faith in emphatic fashion with two first-half goals against Chelsea, the second being a superb finish as he deftly diverted Anthony Gordon’s cross in on the volley.

Watch: Woltemade's two goals v Chelsea

“Last week was not a good week or good game for me,” Woltemade said on TNT Sports after the match.

“When I came into the [EFL Cup] game on Wednesday, the crowd sang my name which was so lovely. It was amazing and I knew they still liked me even when I scored the own goal. 

“I wanted to give a good performance today and I think I did. I just want to say thank you to the fans for still being good with me.”

While Woltemade’s brace was not enough to seal victory over Chelsea, he capped a day to remember by getting a photograph with pundit Peter Crouch, another striker who was famed for his height.

“I wanted to take a picture with him because my old club in Germany always called me Crouchy!” revealed the 6ft 6in forward.

Most wholesome moment - Jack Grealish (Everton)

Jack Grealish gave a young Everton supporter a day he will never forget at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.

Earlier in the week, the Toffees' on-loan star paid a surprise visit to the school of eight-year-old fan Georgie, whose mother Gemma has been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. The Bootle schoolboy also lost his father as a baby and his grandmother two years ago.

As a reward for Georgie's bravery, Grealish invited him to attend Saturday’s match against Arsenal as a mascot.

A heartwarming video shared by Everton documented Georgie’s day, as Grealish greeted him in the tunnel ahead of the game.

Watch: Grealish is reunited with Georgie

Georgie, who gave Grealish a Christmas present, then got to walk out at Hill Dickinson Stadium with his hero and shake hands with all of the Arsenal players.

“People say we are the heroes but people like Georgie are,” Grealish said on Sky Sports before the game.

“He has been through a lot and it was only right to go and surprise him. His mates have said he has become famous now! He is a lovely little boy.”