Norwich City striker Teemu Pukki has been named as the Premier League’s Player of the Month for August after his record-equalling start to the season.
The Finnish striker became just the second player to score five goals in his first three games of the competition, joining former Fulham forward Pavel Pogrebnyak, who achieved the feat between February and March 2012.
How did Pukki earn Player of the Month? Five things to know…
- Teemu Pukki has key in Norwich City’s promotion from the Championship last season, scoring 29 goals.
- The Finland striker has been in strong form already this season, netting five goals in his first three games.
- No player has scored more in their first three Premier League games, with Pavel Pogrebnyak also managing five in 2012.
- His performances saw Pukki on the shortlist to be named Premier League Player of the Month for August.
- And the 29-year-old won the award, beating Sergio Aguero, Ashley Barnes, Kevin De Bruyne, Roberto Firmino and Raheem Sterling.
Pukki kicked off the season with a consolation effort against Liverpool on the opening day before bagging a hat-trick at home to Newcastle United the following week. Chelsea were the next team to fall victim to Pukki, with the 29-year-old becoming just the 10th player to score in each of his first three Premier League appearances.
The run stopped at three, with West Ham United becoming the first team to prevent Pukki from scoring, but there was no denying the Finnish forward had started the season strong. His five goals came from 14 shots, with an impressive 11 hitting the target – an accuracy of 78.6%. Pukki also recorded an assist from four chances created in the opening four games of the season.
His performances were enough to see the Finnish forward nominated for Player of the Month alongside Sergio Aguero, Ashley Barnes, Kevin De Bruyne, Roberto Firmino and Raheem Sterling.
OFFICIAL: Teemu Pukki has been named @premierleague Player of the Month for August.
Not a bad first month in the top-flight. 🎉 pic.twitter.com/fJ5F8DGhDu
— Play Squawka Selector for Free (@Squawka_Live) September 13, 2019
And ahead of the return to Premier League action, Pukki has been named as the Player of the Month for August, becoming the first Norwich player to win the award and the third Finn to do so after Sami Hyypia and Mikael Forssell.
Pukki will be hoping to mark the award with a goalscoring return this weekend, when Norwich City host Manchester City at Carrow Road on Saturday evening.
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“Complete striker”
Despite failing to score in the final Premier League game before the international break, Pukki was on target for Finland in their Euro 2020 qualifiers, netting against Greece and Italy.
And, speaking before the game between Finland and Italy, Chelsea midfielder Jorginho highlighted Pukki as a threat.
“He is their most important player, but we should keep a close eye on all of them,” he said.
“Finland are not a surprise, as the quality of their players is evident and they work as a team.
“Pukki has a bit of everything, which makes him a complete striker. He times his runs well, is very intelligent in his positioning, runs hard, presses opponents and never stops moving.
“He protects the ball, can provide assists, he really is dangerous. It’s no coincidence that he’s the current Premier League top scorer.”