A New Star in the Premier League
There were so many outstanding individual performances over the last Premier League weekend that it is a difficult task to pick out the standout showing. But with apologies to Mohamed Salah, our Player of the Week is… Omar Marmoush (Manchester City).
An Uncommon Feat
An Egyptian forward scoring a Premier League hat-trick is not an uncommon occurrence, given the stellar performances of Mohamed Salah. But the name of the player was different on Saturday afternoon when Manchester City’s big January signing waltzed off the Etihad Stadium turf at the end of his side’s 4-0 win over Newcastle, clutching the match ball. Omar Marmoush’s sensational form for Eintracht Frankfurt in the first half of the season had earned him a €75m move to the Premier League champions last month, but he didn’t quite hit the ground running, failing to find the net in any of his first four appearances.
A Stunning Debut
And then it all clicked against the Magpies as it took the 26-year-old just 14 minutes to bag himself a first half hat-trick with a ruthless display of finishing. His first goal came with a sublime lob after capitalizing on Kieran Trippier’s misjudgment. The second was a well-taken low drive, and he made it three with a calm finish after being left unmarked in the center of the area. Surprisingly, given his scoring exploits in Germany, it was the first treble of his senior career. The speed of his 14-minute hat-trick made him the fourth fastest in club history in the top flight from first goal to the last, beaten only by Sergio Agüero, Carlos Tevez, and Raheem Sterling. It was also the first time in almost four years that a City player scored three times in a single game who did not have the surname Haaland or Foden.
Praise from the Manager
"A player with his quality and pace, I was pleased with the way he scored his goals. He missed chances against Leyton Orient but this time he was really good in the final third," Pep Guardiola said of his newest attacking star. "We knew he would score goals sooner or later. He’s a good finisher. Of course, he has to improve but now we see how he handles the compliments." Guardiola’s words not only highlight Marmoush’s talent but also the manager’s confidence in his ability to handle the pressure and expectations that come with such a high-profile performance.
Marmoush’s Humble Response
How is Marmoush handling those compliments? By already focusing on his next victims. "It’s just the beginning and we are looking forward to the next games," Marmoush warned. "I’m really happy that I helped the team but now the game is behind us and I’m looking forward to performing in the games we have next." His humility and focus are commendable, traits that bode well for his future at Manchester City and in the Premier League.
The Future Looks Bright
Look out Premier League. A new Egyptian king has been crowned. Omar Marmoush’s performance against Newcastle not only solidifies his place in the Manchester City lineup but also signals the arrival of a formidable talent in one of the world’s most competitive leagues. With his pace, finishing, and mental fortitude, Marmoush stands ready to make his mark and continue the legacy of Egyptian excellence in the Premier League.
