Premier League TOTW Gameweek 38: Pickford puts in masterclass & Man Utd feature heavily

Jordan Pickford once again proved why he’s one of the most underrated goalkeepers on the planet on the final day of the 2024-25 Premier League season.

The England international was inspired on Sunday, making six saves to help Everton to a 1-0 win away at Newcastle; a satisfying result personally, given his Sunderland connections.

Pickford was the highest-performing player this weekend according to the Squawka Score, which we’ve used to name our final team of the week in 2024-25.

GK: Jordan Pickford (Everton)

• Player rating: 91%

As mentioned, Pickford was on fire at St. James’ Park, making six saves to preserve his 12th Premier League clean sheet of the season — only Matz Sels and David Raya (both 13) kept more. They weren’t simple saves either, with Pickford preventing 1.58 goals, while three were saves from shots inside the box and two diving saves. This is no fluke, with Pickford preventing 6.2 goals this season, 1.7 more than any other goalkeeper, and sitting second for save percentage (73.5%).

Honourable mention: Ederson (78%)

RB: Ben White (Arsenal)

• Player rating: 71%

Arsenal ended the season with a win and Ben White played a key role. The 27-year-old — who is looking back to full fitness after a tough campaign — provided the assist for Kieran Tierney’s opening goal just before half-time. Across his full 90 minutes on the pitch, White created two chances, while winning both his tackles and making one clearance.

Honourable mention: Nelson Semedo (68%)

CB: Illia Zabarnyi (Bournemouth)

• Player rating: 76%

Bournemouth cruised to a 2-0 victory against Leicester on Sunday, restricting the Foxes to just three shots, none on target, and 0.27 xG. Illia Zabarnyi played a key role in that clean sheet, making three clearances, two interceptions and one tackle, while winning five of his six aerial duels. He also grabbed himself an assist; his only direct goal involvement of the season.

Honourable mention: Virgil van Dijk (70%)

CB: Ayden Heaven (Man Utd)

It’s been a miserable season for Man Utd but the cautious promise of Ayden Heaven since arriving from Arsenal has been a source of optimism. The 18-year-old was given 66 minutes against Villa on the final day and repaid Ruben Amorim with a brilliantly composed performance. Heaven completed 92% of his 48 passes, four of which were into the final third, while he locked things up defensively with three clearances and three interceptions.

• Player rating: 70%

Honourable mention: Sven Botman (69%)

LB: Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace)

• Player rating: 73%

Tyrick Mitchell set up Ismaila Sarr’s opener at Anfield but it was his defensive work that really caught the eye. The England international made three tackles alongside a whopping eight clearances and five interceptions, while he was 100% on aerial duels and 60% on ground duels. The 25-year-old was only dribbled past once and will be hoping Thomas Tuchel was paying attention in regards to future England squads.

Honourable mention: Oleksandr Zinchenko (69%)

DM: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth)

• Player rating: 75%

Tyler Adams has finished the season brilliantly for Bournemouth since returning to fitness and he was at his best against Leicester. The USA international was ice-cold with the ball, completing 90% of his 52 passes and creating one chance, while he wasn’t dispossessed at all throughout the match. Of course, Adams is best known for his relentless defensive work, and he chipped in with two tackles and a clearance, alongside winning six of his eight combined aerial and ground duels.

Honourable mention: Christian Norgaard (71%)

CM: Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)

• Player rating: 80%

Bruno Fernandes has tried his level best to salvage something from United’s season, but he can’t do it alone. The Portuguese playmaker was central to the final-day win over Aston Villa, setting up Amad Diallo’s opener with a brilliant ball to the back post, which was one of three chances he created on the day. Fernandes played 19 passes into the final third, while he put in a huge defensive effort with five tackles and 10 recoveries.

Honourable mention: Diego Gomez (78%)

RW: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

• Player rating: 77%

Mohamed Salah has faded late on this season but in the 84th minute of the final day, he netted a record-setting goal. The equaliser against Palace was his 29th goal of a Golden Boot-winning season and when paired with his 18 assists, it sets the record for most direct goal involvements in a 38-game Premier League season (47) and draws him level with Andy Cole (1993/94) and Alan Shearer (1994/95) for the all-time record. That was all alongside two chances created to the tune of 0.42 xA.

Honourable mention: Marcus Tavernier (76%)

CAM: Amad Diallo (Man Utd)

• Player rating: 85%

Amad Diallo’s form has been one of the other small crumbs of comfort for United fans, and the hope is that he can lead the revival next season. The Ivorian netted the Red Devils’ opener against Aston Villa on Sunday before winning the penalty for Christian Eriksen’s clincher. Another match-winning performance from the youngster.

Honourable mention: Ilkay Gundogan (79%)

LW: Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth)

• Player rating: 71%

So many Bournemouth players can take immense pride from their 2024/25 season, few more than Antoine Semenyo. The winger netted another brace on Sunday to fire the Cherries to a 2-0 win over Leicester, taking his season tally to 11 goals and five assists. Semenyo had nine touches in the opposition box throughout the match and attempted four shots, constantly keeping the beleaguered Foxes guessing. He might be a man in demand this summer.

Honourable mention: Gabriel Martinelli (71%)

CF: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham)

• Player rating: 81%

Jarrod Bowen has ended the season wonderfully as a centre-forward. The 28-year-old was on a run of eight direct goal involvements (5g/3a) in his last nine appearances heading into Sunday and only continued that trend. The England star first set up James Ward-Prowse’s opening goal just before half-time against Ipswich. Then, 12 minutes later, he grabbed himself a goal to restore the lead just moments after the hosts equalised.

Honourable mention: Ross Stewart (76%)

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