Iwobi Leads Fulham, Palace Upsets Liverpool: Premier League Week 5 Highlights and Hall of Fame Vote

The Premier League celebrates electrifying narratives this week, headlined by Fulham’s influential playmaker Alex Iwobi and Crystal Palace’s dramatic victory that halted Liverpool’s perfect start to the season. Additionally, the public remains engaged in voting for the Premier League Hall of Fame 2025 inductees as the competition heats up.

Alex Iwobi proved once again why he remains an indispensable figure for Fulham, delivering a standout performance against Brentford. Coming from behind at 1-0, he scored the equaliser and set up a key assist for Harry Wilson to propel Fulham to a 3-1 win, marking their second consecutive Premier League victory. Alan Shearer, the league’s all-time top scorer and Hall of Fame inductee, praised Iwobi as a “leader” while naming him in his Team of the Week. Shearer lauded Iwobi’s “excellent instincts to equalise and then a sensational through-ball for Harry Wilson to put his team in front,” highlighting his pivotal role in the victory.

The Team of the Week featured several remarkable performances across the division: Burnley’s goalkeeper Martin Dubravka earned plaudits for his “inspired display” and key saves securing a vital point against Nottingham Forest, while Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell stunned fans with an incredible winning goal against West Ham. Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike continued to impress, though Liverpool’s run would soon face a stern test.

In a gripping encounter at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace stunned reigning champions Liverpool with a 2-1 comeback victory. The breakthrough came from Ismaila Sarr early on, with Eddie Nketiah cementing the win in the seventh minute of added time after coming off the bench. The result ended Liverpool’s perfect start to the campaign, handing Palace the league’s only unbeaten record as they rose to second place. Nketiah expressed confidence, saying, “The boys are in really good form. We think we can win every game and we showed that.”

Liverpool’s new £130 million signing Alexander Isak made his first Premier League start but was unable to convert his chances. Manager Arne Slot noted, “He was close to a goal... He came closer and closer to a goal, but in the end he didn’t score. It was quite a good performance from him.” Despite Liverpool’s dominance in parts, Palace’s resilience proved decisive.

The Premier League Hall of Fame 2025 shortlist has captivated fans worldwide, with voting closing on 15 September. The shortlist includes luminaries such as Sol Campbell, Michael Carrick, Eden Hazard, and Yaya Touré among 15 nominees spanning four decades. Fans helped shape the decision via the Premier League app, with the final two inductees to be revealed at an exclusive event in November. Notable past inductees include icons like Sir Alex Ferguson and Thierry Henry.

Fantasy Premier League managers have been active reflecting the on-pitch action. High-profile price rises include Erling Haaland (Man City) now valued at £14.4m, Liverpool’s Alexander Isak at £10.6m, and rising stars like Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) and Moises Caicedo (Chelsea). Conversely, some players have seen price drops due to form or rotation, such as Chelsea’s Cole Palmer and Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta. Haaland remains the top transferred-in asset for consecutive gameweeks, revealing ongoing confidence in his impact.

As the Premier League season unfolds, tactical battles intensify and squad dynamics evolve. Fulham's resurgence led by Iwobi’s leadership, Crystal Palace’s emergence as genuine contenders after beating Liverpool, and the ongoing fan celebration of Premier League legends through the Hall of Fame vote all frame an exciting narrative arc. Fantasy managers and fans alike continue to engage deeply with the competition’s drama as teams jockey for early season momentum.

Looking ahead, the league promises further thrilling encounters and standout performances as clubs aim to climb the table. Fulham’s back-to-back wins spotlight their growing confidence, Palace are buoyed by their statement victory, and Liverpool have been handed a timely challenge to sharpen their resolve. In tandem, the Hall of Fame induction promises to honour the league’s rich heritage while players write new chapters in Premier League history.