Weekend awards: Best goal, assist, moment and more

Football writer David Coverdale presents his personal accolades for Matchweek 24.

Best goal – Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur)

It was no wonder Solanke could not keep his eyes off the big screen at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after scoring his audacious scorpion-kick equaliser against Manchester City.

The Spurs striker looked to have little hope of beating Gianluigi Donnarumma when Conor Gallagher’s cross from the right came in behind him.

Watch: All angles of Solanke's INCREDIBLE scorpion kick!

But Solanke – who had also scored his side’s first to spark their comeback from 2-0 down – incredibly flicked the ball in off his right heel to stun Man City and send the home fans wild.

The 28-year-old’s outrageous improvised finish saw him join the likes of Olivier Giroud, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Lauren Robert in the list of Premier League players to have scored with scorpion kicks.

Watch: SIX of the best scorpion-kick goals in Premier League history

“I was trying to stay focused on the game, but I heard the crowd cheering every time it was on the screen, so I had a few looks,” admitted Solanke on Sky Sports.

“It was a lovely goal. I had to improvise a bit. It was great work from Conor, but the ball was behind me.

“I love those finishes when I’m trying to make something out of nothing. When it goes in, it’s remarkable. I’ll be watching that back a few times.”

Watch: Solanke's reaction to his scorpion-kick goal

Best assist – Casemiro (Manchester United)

Casemiro rolled back the years with a man-of-the-match display for Man Utd in their dramatic 3-2 win over Fulham.

The midfielder scored his side’s first-half opener with a header from Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick, celebrating his goal by doing the viral “6-7” hand gesture.

Watch: Casemiro does the 6-7 😂

But Casemiro’s most eye-catching moment came after the break when he played a no-look pass to thread in fellow Brazilian Matheus Cunha to score Man Utd’s second.

“He’s got Brazilian flair, so he’s definitely got that in his locker,” said former United star Ashley Young on Sky Sports. “The way he’s playing with confidence, when you play passes like that, it comes off fantastically well.”

Watch: Casemiro's clever no-look assist for Cunha

Casemiro’s outstanding showing follows another fine individual performance in the 3-2 win at Arsenal.

And it comes off the back of his announcement on 22 January that he will leave Old Trafford when his contract expires at the end of the season.

“He is an unbelievable player, a legend,” said Casemiro’s team-mate Benjamin Sesko, who scored Man Utd’s late winner. “It is nice to play with him and it is also nice to listen to his advice.

“His work-rate is unbelievable and he gives all his teams a boost. We are grateful to have him with us.”

Most moving moment – Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool)

Following the death of his father Hamady last month, Konate missed Liverpool’s games against Marseille, AFC Bournemouth and Qarabag.

But the French defender returned to the Reds’ starting line-up for their Premier League clash with Newcastle United at the weekend.

And Konate marked his comeback with an emotional goal at the Kop End to cap a gutsy individual performance in an impressive 4-1 win for his team.

It was the first time the centre half has ever scored in the Premier League at Anfield, and only his second home goal for Liverpool following his header against Benfica in the Champions League quarter-final in April 2022.

And Konate was moved to tears as embraced his team-mates – including goalkeeper Alisson Becker – after bundling the ball home from a stoppage-time corner.

Watch: Konate's emotional goal against Newcastle

“For sure, I am very happy,” the 26-year-old told TNT Sports.

“I don't have words to describe what I feel right now because it was a very difficult moment for my family and me. It is hard to accept that, but we don't have the choice to do it.

“I saw that the team had some injured players. The manager said I don't have to rush back. But with this situation, I think it was important for me to come back and help the team.”

Konate’s boss Arne Slot confirmed that Konate cut short his compassionate leave following the injuries to Jeremie Frimpong and Joe Gomez.

“When he saw the problems we had defensively, he called me early this week and said, ‘I want to be back to help the team against Newcastle’,” revealed Slot.

“It is very nice for him to score a goal when he has had such a difficult time.” 

Best replacement – Noni Madueke (Arsenal)

And to think Madueke was not even meant to start against Leeds United.

The winger was initially named on Arsenal’s bench for the trip to Elland Road.

But after Bukayo Saka picked up a groin injury in the warm-up, Madueke was drafted into Mikel Arteta’s XI.

And he went on to put in a man-of-the-match performance in Arsenal’s 4-0 win, providing the cross for Martin Zubimendi’s opener and then scoring his side’s second straight from a corner kick.

On the day, Madueke’s “Olimpico” goal was actually given as an own goal by Karl Darlow after the Leeds goalkeeper pushed the set-piece into his own net.

Watch: Madueke steps up after Saka injury

“How can that be an own goal?” Madueke said to the BBC’s Match of the Day on Saturday. “It was on target. If the keeper’s not in the goal, then it goes in. Premier League please take a look at that and fix it for me!”

Well, the England international got his wish the following day when the Premier League’s Goal Accreditation Panel awarded him the goal, his first in the competition for Arsenal following his summer move from Chelsea.

Praising Madueke’s impact as a late replacement for Saka, Arsenal boss Arteta said: “We keep telling the players to be ready because the most unexpected moments are going to be thrown in the battle, and it happened in the warm-up.

“Noni was certainly ready. He reacted really well. The way he prepares every day is fantastic, and he made a difference for the team.”

Funniest moment – Nottingham Forest mascot pranks Dean Henderson

Henderson got more than he bargained for when he lined up in the City Ground tunnel on Sunday.

The Crystal Palace goalkeeper went to shake hands with the mascot of Forest, who was lining up alongside home captain Morgan Gibbs-White.

But Henderson was pranked by the young boy, who cheekily snubbed his hand and planted his thumb against his nose instead.

Henderson saw the funny side and sportingly went back in for another handshake with the mascot, before asking a giggling Gibbs-White: “Was that on camera?”

Watch: Forest mascot pranks Henderson!

The incident brought back memories of a similar incident in February 2006, when five-year-old Chelsea mascot, Jake Nickless, thumbed his nose at then Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard in the tunnel at Stamford Bridge.

Most wholesome moment – Wolverhampton Wanderers fan given free chicken

Remember the young Wolves fan who was reduced to tears after his dad stole his last chicken nugget during the goalless draw with Newcastle last month?

Well, the club certainly didn't, rewarding him with a special visit from mascot, Wolfie, and some free chicken at half-time of their latest home match against Bournemouth.

Watch: Wolves surprise young fan with free chicken!

“Rory, we hope these chicken nuggets go some way to making up for the disappointment of two weeks ago,” said the stadium announcer at Molineux. “And this time, Dad, you’re not allowed anywhere near them!”

The club also gifted the boy a new kit and a Young Wolves membership.

More on Matchweek 24