Gameweek 24 has conjured up another characteristically enthralling weekend of Premier League action as February opens its doors.
There were some eye-catching results up and down the country as the top-flight table continues to take on weird and wonderful shapes throughout 2024/25.
Jaws grazed the ground as Everton scored four and Southampton actually won a game of football, while more Manchester United misery and some high-scoring affairs made for another compelling round of top-flight drama.
Here were the six players who dazzled most during Gameweek 24 in the Premier League.
One of the weekend’s aforementioned goal-laden spectacles came at the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal hosted Manchester City. The Gunners were clear favourites against their out-of-sorts rivals but few suspected that a 5-1 thrashing was on the cards.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was one of those who etched his name on to the scoresheet, netting the clinching third that sent City spiralling into self-destruct mode. Collecting Declan Rice’s pass in the penalty area, the teenager set himself before bending a shot into the far corner – with the help of a sizeable but ultimately weak hand from Stefan Ortega.
Lewis-Skelly proceeded to taunt public enemy number one on the red half of north London, Erling Haaland, by imitating the Norwegian’s meditation celebration, before receiving a standing ovation from the adoring home faithful.
The turn of the year has seen Jean-Philippe Mateta rediscover his mojo as Crystal Palace improve under Oliver Glasner week on week, with the Frenchman scoring his second brace and sixth goal of 2025 in the 2-0 win against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.
Palace’s towering centre-forward will not be presented with many easier chances than those he buried at Old Trafford, the first finished from all of three yards before Daniel Munoz supplied him with another tap-in during the closing stages.
Mateta only had 22 touches in Manchester yet walked away with two goals and three points following another ruthless centre-forward display that takes his personal tally to 13 in all competitions this term.
Victories have become increasingly rare for Tottenham in recent months and clean sheets even lesser spotted. But thanks to an inspired performance from Djed Spence on Sunday afternoon, Spurs secured both during their 2-0 win against the dynamic Brentford.
Playing at left-back, the 24-year-old produced a Player of the Match display in west London. To do so up against the lively and powerful Bryan Mbeumo is even more impressive and Spence largely restricted the Cameroon international.
He won three tackles, made seven recoveries and produced a further five clearances at the Gtech Community Stadium, as well as clearing off the line just before Spurs’ decisive second.
Mohamed Salah scoring a match-winning brace in the Premier League. What’s new?
The indefatigable Egyptian was handed the night off during Liverpool’s final Champions League league phase encounter last week and looked suitably refreshed on the south coast as the Reds downed a Bournemouth side in tremendous form.
Having missed a spot kick at the Vitality Stadium two seasons ago, Salah made no mistake on this occasion as he converted his first of the afternoon from 12 yards, while a trademark curler from his left boot into the far top corner sealed the points in the second half.
He managed a higher xG and more shots on target than any other player on the pitch, as well as more successful dribbles and touches in the Bournemouth box than any Liverpool man.
Chris Wood’s remarkable season continued on Saturday lunchtime as the New Zealander produced a hat-trick in Nottingham Forest’s 7-0 thrashing (yes, seven) of Brighton & Hove Albion.
The 33-year-old now has 17 Premier League goals this term and didn’t have to work too hard to finish up with the match ball at the City Ground. Two close-range finishes helped Forest race into a four-goal lead before a composed penalty piled more misery on Fabian Hurzeler’s side.
Wood’s second treble of the season for club and country helped Forest recover from their 5-0 humiliation at Bournemouth the previous weekend, while proving yet again that entering your 30s does not signal the end of your rise as a Premier League footballer.
Wood’s assignment was only so simple on Saturday thanks to Anthony Elanga, who was Forest’s chief creator in their electrifying victory. The Sweden international managed a hat-trick of his own, setting up teammates on three occasions with devilish deliveries.
The 22-year-old, who has now been involved in 25 goals for Forest since leaving Man Utd, set up Morgan Gibbs-White’s first with a pacy corner to the near post before providing the assists for Wood’s opening two efforts.
The speed, trickery and distribution of Elanga proved decisive in toppling the travelling Seagulls, with his devastating performance taking his season tally to three goals and eight assists in all competitions.