Matchday 9 of the Premier League season, played across 21–23 October 2023, felt like an early checkpoint in the campaign. With the first international breaks out of the way, teams were settling into rhythms, identities were becoming clearer, and the table was starting to take shape. There were statement wins, dramatic comebacks, and a few performances that forced a reassessment of where certain clubs truly stood.

At the top, Tottenham continued to defy expectations, while the usual heavyweights made sure they stayed within touching distance. Elsewhere, the weekend served up one of the games of the season so far and showcased individual brilliance that cut through tense, tactical battles. Here are the biggest talking points from a fascinating Premier League weekend.

Let us know over on Twitter (@NextGoalWinBlog) if you have seen anything in a game that you think we should be talking about, or have anything to share from what you’ve seen at a game that week. Any funny stories, tactical analysis or general comments will be featured.

Tottenham’s Momentum

Tottenham’s 2–0 win away at Fulham might not have been the most glamorous result of the weekend, but it was arguably one of the most telling. Spurs were calm, controlled and professional, showing a maturity that has often been missing in recent seasons. Goals from Son Heung-min and James Maddison sealed the win, but the bigger story was what it represented: Tottenham finishing Matchday 9 top of the Premier League.

Under Ange Postecoglou, Spurs had now gone unbeaten in their first nine league games, a remarkable turnaround given the turbulence of the previous campaign. What stood out was not just the results, but the clarity of their approach. Tottenham pressed high, played with bravery in possession and, crucially, looked comfortable defending leads, something that has haunted them in the past.

Postecoglou’s impact was also visible in the confidence of individual players. Son thrived as a central striker, Maddison was dictating games with authority, and even traditionally erratic areas of the pitch, like full-back and centre-back, looked cohesive. Spurs no longer appeared to be surviving matches; they were imposing themselves.

While talk of a title challenge was understandably cautious at this stage, the early evidence suggested Tottenham were far more than a short-term surprise. Matchday 9 reinforced the idea that this was a side with structure, belief and momentum, a dangerous combination in a long Premier League season.

Title Contenders

If Tottenham were enjoying life at the summit, the chasing pack made it very clear they weren’t going anywhere. Manchester City responded to pressure with a composed 2–1 win over Brighton, navigating one of the trickiest fixtures in the league. Erling Haaland’s goals grabbed the headlines, but City’s ability to absorb Brighton’s possession and strike decisively was classic Guardiola pragmatism.

Liverpool also kept pace with a commanding 2–0 victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby. Reduced to ten men early on, Everton dug in, but Mohamed Salah’s late brace underlined the difference elite players make in tight games. Liverpool weren’t at their fluid best, yet they found a way, often the mark of serious contenders.

Perhaps the most eye-catching performance among the top sides came from Aston Villa, who dismantled West Ham 4–1. Unai Emery’s team looked sharp, aggressive and tactically drilled, continuing a run of form that had already turned heads. Villa’s home dominance, in particular, was becoming one of the stories of the season.

Taken together, Matchday 9 showed how unforgiving the title race was shaping up to be. No slip-ups, no easy afternoons, and no room for complacency, the pressure was already relentless, even before the festive schedule loomed.

Chaos & Comebacks

Away from the title conversation, Matchday 9 delivered drama in abundance. Chelsea’s 2–2 draw with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge was the standout example. Chelsea looked sharp and aggressive, racing into a 2–0 lead, while Arsenal struggled to impose themselves for long spells. Yet the Gunners showed resilience, fighting back late on to rescue a point and avoid what would have been a damaging defeat.

The match encapsulated both sides’ seasons up to that point. Chelsea showed signs of promise and attacking intent but again failed to fully manage the game. Arsenal, meanwhile, looked slightly below their best but demonstrated the mentality required to stay competitive at the top end of the table.

Elsewhere, Newcastle delivered one of the most emphatic results of the weekend with a 4–0 demolition of Crystal Palace. Eddie Howe’s side were relentless, particularly in midfield, and the performance served as a reminder of how dangerous they can be when confidence is flowing.

Even at the lower end of the table, there were moments worth noting. Luton Town’s late comeback to draw 2–2 with Nottingham Forest showed fight and belief, qualities essential in a relegation battle. Matchday 9 had everything that defines the Premier League: intensity, unpredictability and drama right down to the final minutes.

Matchday 9 Player of the Week: Mo Salah Mohamed Salah once again proved why he remains one of the Premier League’s defining figures. In a tense Merseyside derby where chances were limited and emotions ran high, Salah delivered when it mattered most. His two late goals turned frustration into celebration and secured a crucial three points for Liverpool. Beyond the goals, Salah’s movement, patience and composure stood out. He remained Liverpool’s most dangerous outlet throughout the match, constantly probing and waiting for the decisive moment. When it came, he was ruthless. In weekends filled with strong performances across the league, Salah’s ability to decide a derby almost single-handedly earned him Player of the Week honours, a familiar story, but no less impressive for it.

Matchday 9 Game of the Week: Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal Chelsea versus Arsenal had all the ingredients of a Premier League classic, and it delivered. The hosts were aggressive from the outset, pressing high and unsettling Arsenal’s usually composed build-up. A defensive mix-up gifted Chelsea the opener, and their confidence surged from there. Arsenal looked rattled and short of ideas for much of the match, struggling to control midfield and cope with Chelsea’s directness. When Chelsea made it 2–0, Stamford Bridge sensed a statement win. Yet this Arsenal side, unlike versions of the past, refused to fold. Declan Rice’s late header and Leandro Trossard’s deflected equaliser completed a dramatic comeback. It wasn’t Arsenal at their fluent best, but it was Arsenal at their most resilient, and that made the game feel significant for both sides as the season unfolded.

Let us know over on Twitter (@NextGoalWinBlog) what you made of the ninth round of fixtures, and what you’re looking forward to in the next game week.