MY ACCOUNT
Late goals were the name of the game in the Premier League this weekend with eight scored in the final 10 minutes of matches.
They had big implications in both the race for the top four and the fight to avoid relegation to the Championship.
But who were the stars of the week? We have picked out five players who shone brighter than others on Matchday 29 with nine of the ten games played.
Cristiano Ronaldo
After missing the dismal Manchester derby defeat, Cristiano Ronaldo marked his return in style against Tottenham.
Ronaldo, 37, netted his first Manchester United hat-trick in 14 years as Ralf Rangnick’s men picked up a vital 3-2 win.
The opener was stunning — a wicked dipping effort from 25-yards out that flew into the top corner.
His second was a simple finish from Jadon Sancho’s cross and the third a thumping header — the sort we have seen so often from the Portuguese legend over the years.
Even at his age, Ronaldo can be the difference maker United need in the race for fourth spot.
Joe Gelhardt
Leeds forward Joe Gelhardt was only on the field for a matter of minutes but scored arguably the most important goal of the weekend.
The former Wigan youngster, 19, came off the bench after Norwich equalised in the 91st minute to net a vital late winner in the 2-1 victory.
He was on hand to convert from close range after Raphinha had rounded keeper Tim Krul but been forced to the byeline.
It was Jesse Marsch’s first victory as Leeds boss and sent Elland Road into absolute bedlam.
The Yorkshire club started the day just two points outside of the relegation zone and ended it four clear thanks to Gelhardt’s late heroics.
Martin Odegaard
Martin Odegaard looks worth every penny of the £30million Arsenal paid Real Madrid for his services last summer.
He was the clear man of the match in the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Leicester and is a major reason why Mikel Arteta’s side are back in the top four.
After showing glimpses of his ability during his loan spell last term, Odegaard has now settled at the Emirates and fast become their most influential player.
On the Norway captain’s performance, Arteta said: “He was terrific again today, in every aspect of the game — what he had to do in defending, when we were high and deep, in build-up phases, in the final third, the way he understood and managed the game when he was needed.
“He’s come a long way since his arrival, he is showing great maturity and responsibility on the pitch and he makes the other players better, I think.”
Cucho Hernandez
Watford desperately needed a victory at Southampton and 22-year-old Cucho Hernandez proved the unlikely hero at St Mary’s.
After netting a stunning overhead kick against Arsenal last week, he scored both Hornets goals in the 2-1 success.
The first saw him latch on to a poor backpass, round Fraser Forster and score from a tight angle before a first-time volley put Roy Hodgson’s side 2-0 up.
The Colombian’s boss said: “His attitude was good, his work rate was good. He runs throughout the game and doesn’t stop.
“The one thing he obviously does know how to do, he knows how to score when a chance comes his way — that goal against Arsenal and the second goal today were great goals.
“And the first goal, that’s the guts, determination, resilience and desire, that I am afraid I talk about far too often.”
Andriy Yarmolenko
There was no more popular scorer this weekend than West Ham’s Andriy Yarmolenko.
The Ukrainian opened the scoring for the Hammers — his first goal since Russia invaded his home country — and was clearly moved by his contribution.
The 32-year-old winger said: “It was so emotional for me, because you know the situation in my country.
“It’s so difficult for me in this moment thinking about the football, because every day in my country the Russian army kills Ukrainian people. It was so emotional. I don’t know what to say.
“I just want to say thank you to my team-mates, who support me all the time, every day. West Ham fans support Ukraine and Ukrainian people, and I also want to say thank you to British people because we feel your support.”
The Irons’ No7 set David Moyes’ team on their way to a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa, which kept the East Londoners three points back from Arsenal in sixth having played three games more.
