The second month of the 2025/26 Premier League season is in the bag, and with it comes the unveiling of September’s Player and Manager of the Month contenders.
As expected, the shortlist is packed with standout performers who lit up the pitch with goals, grit, and game-changing moments.
From strikers who couldn’t stop scoring, to midfielders running the show, and managers quietly masterminding statement results September had it all.
Player of the Month Nominees
Six names make up this month’s roll call of excellence, led by Manchester City’s unstoppable hitman Erling Haaland.
1. Erling Haaland (Man City)
No surprises here. Haaland smashed in five goals in September — three more than anyone else — and had a hand in six goals overall, pushing his tally to eight for the campaign.
2. Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace)
Kamada has been the heartbeat of Oliver Glasner’s unbeaten Palace side. In September, he created five chances, won 17 duels, and bossed games against Sunderland, West Ham, and Liverpool.
3. Yankuba Minteh (Brighton)
The Gambian winger made a statement with a goal or assist in every game he played this month. His highlights include a smart assist in the 2-1 loss to Bournemouth, a goal in a thrilling 2-2 with Spurs, and another assist in Brighton’s 3-1 win at Chelsea.
4. Robin Roefs (Sunderland)
Newly promoted Sunderland owe a lot to their goalkeeper. The Dutchman kept two clean sheets, made 13 saves (second-most in the league), and was crucial in the Black Cats’ unbeaten September, which included draws against Palace and Villa, and a win over Forest.
5. Granit Xhaka (Sunderland)
At 33, Xhaka is proving age is just a number. The midfielder set up both of Sunderland’s goals in September, won 23 duels, and added steel and creativity to the side’s remarkable return season.
6. Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal)
The Spaniard enjoyed a breakthrough month, scoring his first Premier League goals. He netted a brilliant volley against Forest and followed it up with a rare brace a header sealing Arsenal’s 3-0 win.
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Manager of the Month Nominees
The dugout also had its heroes. Four coaches stood out for masterminding results that have reshaped the early table.
1. Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Arteta’s Gunners stayed strong, crushing Forest 3-0, battling to a late draw with Man City, and edging Newcastle late on results that pushed Arsenal up to second.
2. Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace)
Palace remain the league’s only unbeaten side, thanks to Glasner’s sharp touch. September saw a gritty 0-0 with Sunderland, before back-to-back wins over West Ham and Liverpool sent a message to the rest of the league.
3. Pep Guardiola (Man City)
City turned on the style yet again, scoring nine and conceding just two in September. A dominant 3-0 derby win over Manchester United, a tough 1-1 draw at Arsenal, and a 5-1 demolition of Burnley showed Pep’s men mean business.
4. Regis Le Bris (Sunderland)
The surprise package. Le Bris’ Sunderland defied the odds with an unbeaten September, ending the month in fifth.
They conceded just once even while playing with 10 men in a 1-1 draw at Villa held Palace to a stalemate, and edged Forest away from home.
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September’s nominees show just how competitive this Premier League season is shaping up to be with familiar names like Haaland doing what they do best, and fresh stories like Sunderland’s fairytale rise keeping fans on their toes.