Important goals and big saves: Who were the weekend's difference makers?

Matchweek 28 gave us heroics by the bucketload. Sky Sports picks out the peak Premier League performers who produced the standout moments.

Jordan Pickford vs Newcastle

Jordan Pickford loves a self-indulgent celebration. The kind that often follows a big save and gets the cameras flashing and the crowd cooing. On this occasion the muscle flex, though not to everyone’s taste, was justified. It was Newcastle fans’ worst nightmare; a Sunderland-born lad producing the moment of the game to deny them a stoppage-time equaliser against Everton.

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The stop will probably go down as save of the season or at least feature highly on the list. Newcastle attempted 10 shots from outside the box in total and drew four saves from Pickford, none as impressive as his grandstand finale in the 94th minute. Sandro Tonali could not have hit the strike much sweeter.

The England No 1 has a talent for these types of moments, able to summon particular strength when his side are under the cosh. It brought to mind another from this season’s highlights reel; the denial of Joshua Zirkzee in victory over Manchester United in November. Saturday’s full-stretch save at St James’ Park was as good as any that have come before it. “Up there with the best ever”, according to the man himself.

Next fixture: Everton vs Burnley, Tuesday – 7.30pm

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Hugo Ekitike vs West Ham

There was a fret surrounding Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike before kick-off against West Ham. The Frenchman had not scored in the month of February and seemed to be missing his most reliable supply line: Florian Wirtz. The German playmaker was absent again at Anfield on Saturday but, on this occasion, Ekitike did not need assistance.

Given Liverpool scored five it’s of little surprise that Ekitike was a key contributor. But what was revelatory was the way the goals were conceived, without either of their £100m-plus rated forwards – both injured. Seven of Liverpool’s last nine Premier League goals have come from set-pieces, with three arriving against the Hammers. Ekitike directly and indirectly had a hand in all of them.

Set-piece supremacy was not in Arne Slot’s playbook to begin with but slowly he’s coming around to the idea. Ekitike’s 6ft 3in frame and positional intelligence is key to this. His movement for the opener is subtle yet deliberate, holding the space until Ryan Gravenberch can find him from the second phase of a corner.

When Virgil van Dijk nodded Liverpool’s second, Ekitike’s dart to the near post drew two defenders out with him. And the way he cushioned the ball for Alexis Mac Allister to thump a third was masterful. Service from open play perhaps needs work when Wirtz isn’t available but this latest evolution of dead-ball specialism, if maintained, means that matters much less.

Next fixture: Wolves vs Liverpool, Tuesday – 8.15pm

Antoine Semenyo vs Leeds

No longer does it matter when Erling Haaland does not play for Manchester City, they find a way to win anyway. Antoine Semenyo is someone who can lift the burden directly off Haaland’s overworked shoulders. Only the Norwegian himself (22) and Brentford’s Igor Thiago (18) can top Semenyo’s seasonal total of 14 goals.

Six goal contributions since the turn of the year can only be bettered by three players, and none more important than his latest effort to land three points at Elland Road. Semenyo will thank the two Rayans for their part in it – Ait-Nouri and Cherki – and must also take applause for his own centrality in a game where City were short of space and creative thinking.

Semenyo is rarely troubled by scarcity, only managing three touches in the opposition box all game and yet won as many duels as Rodri (7). He will keep working until the chance arrives, and when it does, he will make sure he’s there to finish it. Man City’s bid to hunt down Arsenal continues.

Next fixture: Man City vs Nottingham Forest, Wednesday – 7.30pm

Bruno Fernandes vs Crystal Palace

One player who does have more goal contributions than Semenyo in 2026 is Bruno Fernandes. Yes, we’re speaking about him again. And no, this is not a dedicated Fernandes fan page. But credit where it’s due.

Really it’s only worth analysing his second-half performance in another game where Manchester United were forced to summon powers of recovery. Michael Carrick’s side have avoided defeat in all five of the Premier League games in which they have trailed this year, largely thanks to the ingenuity of their captain.

A greater sense of freedom under Carrick has helped unlock an unrestrained version of Fernandes, who drifts in and out of games, but almost always delivers a moment of divine quality. Against Crystal Palace it was two.

The pass to Matheus Cunha, who drew a foul to win the penalty, and the cross for Benjamin Sesko’s winner were both actions only he could fulfil. Casemiro should have headed Fernandes’ free-kick on target in the first half but that is immaterial. It’s not a new or novel concept to point out just how important the playmaker is to Carrick’s cause, but the best chance creator in Europe is beginning to outdo even his own immensely high standards.

Next fixture: Newcastle vs Man Utd, Wednesday – 8.15pm

David Raya vs Chelsea

With the Emirates on edge at the end of a fraught contest with Chelsea, once again it was David Raya who stepped up. He’s needed a moment where he can claim to be the hero of the piece since that clanger at Wolves; in denying Alejandro Garnacho in stoppage time he got it.

Arsenal were indebted to their goalkeeper for some vital saves, four in total, more than Robert Sanchez made at the opposite end. And that will not be the last time his services are needed before a campaign built on the barest of margins is out.

“My heart almost stopped,” said Mikel Arteta afterwards, “but David’s hand was there to get it back to life”. Arsenal’s bid for a first title in over 20 years remains open-ended but they continue to lead from the front, and they have Raya, their last line of defence, to thank.

Next fixture: Brighton vs Arsenal, Wednesday – 7.30pm