The Premier League’s festive period rarely disappoints, and Gameweek 18 (21–24 December 2023) was no exception. With the title race beginning to take shape, pressure mounting on under-fire managers, and the league’s depth on full display, this round delivered drama at both ends of the table. As teams fought for momentum heading into Christmas, the narratives were as compelling as the football itself. Here are the three biggest talking points from a pivotal pre-Christmas matchweek.

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.

Title Race

The standout fixture of Gameweek 18 was undoubtedly the 1–1 draw between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield, a match that felt like a genuine title-race barometer. Arsenal struck first through Gabriel after a well-worked set piece, stunning the home crowd and underlining the Gunners’ growing belief. Liverpool responded in familiar fashion, with Mohamed Salah producing a moment of quality to restore parity before half-time.

The second half ebbed and flowed, with both sides having chances to win it. Liverpool pressed aggressively, feeding off Anfield’s intensity, while Arsenal showed a resilience that has sometimes been missing in previous title pushes. Declan Rice and William Saliba were particularly impressive in helping Arsenal absorb pressure, while David Raya’s late save from Trent Alexander-Arnold preserved a valuable point.

What made the result especially significant was the context. Arsenal stayed top of the league going into Christmas, a psychological milestone that reinforces their status as genuine contenders rather than hopeful challengers. For Mikel Arteta, this was another sign of maturity from a young squad learning how to manage high-stakes moments away from home.

For Liverpool, the draw was solid but slightly frustrating. They remain firmly in the title conversation, but questions linger about turning big performances into big wins against direct rivals. Still, with Salah in relentless form and Jürgen Klopp’s side unbeaten at this stage, few would bet against them being right in the mix come spring.

United’s Struggles

If Arsenal and Liverpool showcased elite-level intensity, Manchester United’s 2–0 defeat to West Ham highlighted a club still searching for identity and consistency. Goals from Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus condemned United to another flat performance, one that felt all too familiar to supporters enduring an up-and-down season.

United dominated possession for spells but lacked cutting edge and conviction in the final third. Their attacks often fizzled out before troubling Alphonse Areola, while defensively they looked vulnerable whenever West Ham transitioned quickly. The contrast between West Ham’s clarity of purpose and United’s uncertainty was stark.

The result piled further pressure on Erik ten Hag, with critics pointing to a lack of attacking cohesion and leadership on the pitch. Injuries didn’t help, but the bigger concern was how little threat United posed in a game they needed to control. By Christmas Eve, they found themselves drifting away from the top four conversation rather than closing the gap.

For West Ham, it was a statement win. David Moyes’ side were organised, ruthless, and confident, continuing their habit of troubling “big six” opponents. Bowen’s consistency and Kudus’ flair symbolised a team comfortable with its role, something United, at that moment, clearly were not.

Underdog Victories

Gameweek 18 also reminded everyone why the Premier League is so unforgiving, with several surprise results reshaping the league’s middle and lower reaches. Chief among them was Luton Town’s 1–0 victory over Newcastle United, a result that raised eyebrows across the division. For Luton, it was a massive win built on energy, organisation, and belief.

Newcastle, dealing with injuries and fatigue, looked a shadow of the side that had dazzled earlier in the season. Luton, meanwhile, treated Kenilworth Road like a fortress, pressing relentlessly and capitalising on Newcastle’s lack of sharpness. Wins like this are priceless in a relegation fight and reinforced the sense that Luton were not simply making up the numbers.

Elsewhere, Wolves’ 2–1 win over Chelsea continued a theme of inconsistency for Mauricio Pochettino’s side. Wolves were sharp, direct, and confident, while Chelsea once again struggled to impose themselves despite their expensive squad. It was another reminder that reputation alone counts for little in this league.

Taken together, these results tightened the mid-table and gave renewed hope to teams near the bottom. Points gained, and dropped, in December often echo loudly in May, and Gameweek 18 served as a warning to complacent sides: in the Premier League, no fixture is routine, especially during the festive grind.

Matchday 18 Player of the Week: Dominic Solanke Looking at a solid return on the season already, Solanke bagged all 3 goals from the 51st-94th minute as Bournemouth came from behind against 10-man Forest and Solanke secured a late winner to claim the points.

Matchday 18 Game of the Week: Nottingham Forest 2-3 Bournemouth 5 goals, a hat-trick and a red card, this game offered just about everything you could want from a neutral watch of a mid-day Saturday clash.

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