Matchday 36 of the season sees us into the final rounds of fixtures, with still plenty to play for and to be decided, it was some strong showings from the teams near the top, while others look to be on the beach already at this stage of the campaign.

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City Statement

Manchester City produced one of their most commanding performances of the season in Week 36, sweeping aside Wolves 5–1 at the Etihad. Erling Haaland was simply unstoppable, scoring four goals with a mixture of power, precision and a touch of menace that only he can deliver. The two penalties showed his composure; the two open-play goals showed the brute force and timing that have made him one of the most feared strikers in the world. By the time Julián Álvarez added a fifth, the game had long since become a showcase of City’s relentless superiority.

What struck most observers was how effortlessly City appeared to shift gears at a crucial moment in the title race. With pressure mounting and the margin for error shrinking, they delivered the sort of performance champions tend to produce when it matters. There was a purpose about their play, the quick passing, the aggression out of possession, the ruthlessness in front of goal, that suggested the team hadn’t just come to win, but to make a statement.

City’s victory also reverberated beyond Manchester. It was a reminder to Arsenal, and to anyone who believed the title momentum might be shifting, that City were still fully alive in the fight. The game in hand loomed large, and their message was clear: if the trophy is to be taken from them, someone will have to rip it out of their hands. Performances like this make that seem increasingly unlikely.

For the neutrals, there was the usual blend of admiration and inevitability. When Haaland plays like that, and when City switch into that familiar late-season mode, it becomes difficult to imagine anyone stopping them. Week 36 didn’t just keep them in the race, it reminded everyone why they’ve dominated it for so long.

Chelsea Deliver

Chelsea delivered their best performance of the season in a 5–0 demolition of West Ham at Stamford Bridge, a result that instantly changed the tone around their campaign. The goals came from all angles, one from Conor Gallagher, one from Noni Madueke, a brace from the ever-chaotic yet effective Nicolas Jackson, and of course another cool strike from Cole Palmer. It wasn’t just the score line; it was the freedom and confidence Chelsea played with, something fans had been desperate to see more consistently.

There was an undeniable freshness to Chelsea’s attack. The young players, often criticised for inconsistency earlier in the season, looked bright and fearless. Palmer ran the show between the lines, Madueke stretched the pitch, and Jackson produced one of his most complete performances, mixing smart movement with sharp finishing. After a season of stutters, this looked like a team suddenly clicking into place.

Importantly, the result had consequences in the table. It pushed Chelsea back into the European picture, leapfrogging Manchester United and putting pressure on the teams above them. What had previously felt like a season destined to drift toward mid-table mediocrity suddenly carried a different energy, optimism, even. The fans, who have endured a rollercoaster year, finally had a moment to savour.

For West Ham, the defeat raised its own questions, but the spotlight remained firmly on Chelsea. Week 36 felt like the moment they rediscovered themselves, youthful, dynamic, full of potential, and capable of blowing teams away. If they can bottle that performance, it might be remembered as the spark that changed the direction of their season.

Too Little?

Liverpool’s 4–2 win over Tottenham at Anfield was one of those matches that felt like a mixture of joy and frustration for supporters. Joy, because Liverpool looked vibrant again. They pressed with energy, countered with menace, and scored four well-crafted goals through Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Cody Gakpo and Harvey Elliott. For an hour or so, the Liverpool of old, fast, ruthless, relentless, seemed to return.

There was a sharpness to their play that had been missing during their late-season wobble. Salah was lively, Robertson charged forward with his usual gusto, and Elliott produced one of his finest performances of the campaign, capped with a superb goal. Gakpo, too, looked confident, operating with the kind of directness that makes him such a handful. For a team that had been misfiring, this was a badly needed reminder of what they can produce.

But as much as the game reignited the crowd and gave Liverpool a boost, it also came with the nagging sense that the revival had arrived a little too late. Dropped points in previous weeks had opened the door for their title rivals, and while beating Spurs was satisfying, it didn’t fundamentally change the broader picture. The gap at the top remained large, and the dream of a final charge had begun to fade.

Even so, the win mattered. It steadied the mood around the squad, restored a bit of pride, and kept them firmly in control of their top-four security. Anfield crackled again, the players looked energised, and the fans had reasons to smile. Week 36 may not have kept Liverpool in the title race, but it reminded everyone that they remain one of the division’s most dangerous sides.

Matchday 36 Player of the Week: Alexander Isak With a brace of goals to help turn around Sheffield United’s early opener, the Swedish forward has been pivotal in helping Newcastle keep in contention for European spots this season. For Sheffield United, they couldn’t handle Newcastle’s attack as they return straight back to the Championship.

Matchday 36 Game of the Week: Tottenham Hotspur 2-3 Arsenal After a dominant first half, Spurs fought back but it wasn’t enough as Arsenal keep within touching distance of the title, but Spurs may have taken a hit in their European aspirations.

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