Player of the Weekend

For this, our last Player of the Weekend of 2018, we’re looking at the Premier League, as England’s top division is in full swing whilst others rest over the Christmas break.

To the annoyance of some managers, we’re sure, the Premier League becomes incredibly intense around this time of year with the traditional Boxing Day fixtures and all the extra football making for a hectic schedule. Managing player fitness becomes imperative as games come thick and fast, making it all the more impressive when someone stands out as the top performer of the weekend.

And this weekend, it was Roberto Firmino. Bobby Firmino, as he’s affectionately known by adoring Liverpool fans, lit up Anfield with a hat-trick in a crucial match versus Arsenal. Having gone a goal down early on, the Brazilian forward led the fightback with a trademark no-look finish – one of many in 2018 – then moments later, a special solo goal that saw him dribble past two defenders and leave another on the floor.

A third from the penalty spot, gifted to him by teammate Mohammed Salah, allowed him to complete a hat-trick and a resounding 5-1 win for Liverpool which put them, for 24 hours at least, 10 points ahead of Manchester City. Following City’s win on Sunday, the gap is back down to seven before the two meet in the first major Premier League clash of 2019. Not to be missed.