Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke has beaten the likes of Son Heung-min and Trent Alexander-Arnold to the Premier League’s Player of the Month award for December.
Solanke was shortlisted for the prize after scoring six goals in as many league games last month, helping Andoni Iraola’s resurgent Cherries take 13 points from those matches.
That tally included Solanke’s first Premier League hat-trick in a dramatic 3-2 win over 10-man Nottingham Forest, while he also opened the scoring as Bournemouth beat Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford.
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Alongside Son and Alexander-Arnold, Solanke’s Bournemouth team-mate Marcos Senesi was also nominated for the prize, as were Matheus Cunha, Cole Palmer, Michael Olise and Mohammed Kudus.
In a video message released on social media on Friday, Solanke said: “I’m delighted to have been the Premier League’s Player of the Month for December.
“It’s been a great month with some big wins and some special moments, including my first Premier League hat-trick.
“I just wanted to say thanks to all the players and staff at the club, and most importantly, to the fans. Your support has been amazing all season and hopefully we can carry this on for the rest of 2024.”
???? @England pic.twitter.com/KoJxHpj39B
— AFC Bournemouth ???? (@afcbournemouth) January 12, 2024
Meanwhile, Unai Emery beat Iraola, Jurgen Klopp and David Moyes to the Manager of the Month award after leading Aston Villa to second in the table.
Villa have emerged as surprise title contenders and boosted their chances of topping the pile with memorable wins over Manchester City and Arsenal at the start of the month, ultimately claiming 14 points from seven games in December.
Emery also landed the prize last April, meaning only Martin O’Neil (four times) has won it more often while in charge of Villa.
✅ April 2023
✅ December 2023A second @PremierLeague Manager of the Month award as Aston Villa boss for Unai Emery! ???? pic.twitter.com/GQP1r0O2tQ
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 12, 2024
