Week 20 was the first outing for many sides in 2025, and some teams have shaken off their post-Christmas blues with a strong first outing, while some others are still seemingly trying to get over the festive period and look like they haven’t quite reached their new years goals.

As always, in this post we will be picking out 3 of the biggest talking points of the weekend, along with giving out the game of the week and player of the week awards. If we’ve missed something in this post that you saw over the weekend please do get in touch with us on all the usual places (Bluesky @NextGoalWinner – Instagram @NextGoalWin), and if you prefer an audio round up of the action then do check out our YouTube channel (@NextGoalWinner) where we post weekly reviews on there of all the key talking points in the Premier League and around Europe.

Liverpool Given A Warning

Liverpool’s 2–2 draw with Manchester United at Anfield was the kind of game that leaves both sides claiming moral victories but neither fully satisfied. United struck first through Lisandro Martínez early in the second half, only for Cody Gakpo to equalise with a fine finish. Mohamed Salah then put Liverpool ahead from the penalty spot before Amad Diallo’s late goal rescued a point for United. The atmosphere was electric, but the result left Liverpool ruing missed chances to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.

Despite dominating possession and territory, Liverpool once again struggled to turn control into killer blows. The front line created plenty of opportunities, yet they lacked the clinical edge that defined their early-season surge. At the other end, the defence, particularly down the right flank, looked vulnerable to counters. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s forward bursts left spaces that United were quick to exploit, a recurring issue in recent weeks.

The bigger picture is what matters. Liverpool remain top, still in a commanding position, but this result underscored the fine margins of a title race. With multiple competitions to juggle and key players nearing contract renewals, maintaining focus and intensity will be crucial. The draw doesn’t derail their campaign, but it serves as a timely reminder that small lapses could prove costly when the spring pressure mounts.

Haaland Returns To Form

Across Manchester, City were in ruthless mood as they swept past West Ham United 4–1 at the Etihad. Erling Haaland scored twice, ending a mini goal drought and reminding everyone that when he’s fit and firing, City look almost unstoppable. The champions were sharp in transition, fluid in possession, and most importantly, clinical, everything they’d been missing during their stuttering December.

The performance wasn’t flawless. West Ham created chances of their own and pressed high early on, but City’s patience and superior finishing made the difference. Phil Foden orchestrated play brilliantly between the lines, while Kevin De Bruyne, back to full rhythm, provided the kind of incisive passing City had lacked in his absence earlier in the season. Haaland’s movement, power and timing looked back to peak levels, the kind of form that can transform the tone of a title race.

City’s challenge now is consistency. They remain several points behind Liverpool, but this was the sort of performance that reasserts their authority and reminds rivals that Pep Guardiola’s side are never out of the fight. If Haaland maintains this form and the team continues to rediscover its rhythm, the gap at the top could begin to narrow quickly. For now, the champions are growling again, and that’s bad news for everyone else.

Spurs & Southampton Slump

At the other end of the table, Southampton endured a nightmare weekend, losing 5–0 to Brentford. It was a crushing defeat that left them stranded on just six points from 20 games, a total already being compared to Derby County’s infamous 2007–08 relegation season. The Saints looked disorganised and demoralised, conceding soft goals and showing little resistance. The scale of the defeat has sparked serious questions about whether they can even make their way into double digits before the end of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Tottenham’s struggles continued with a 2–1 home defeat to Newcastle United. Despite taking an early lead, Spurs were undone by an Anthony Gordon equaliser and an Alexander Isak strike before halftime. Manager Ange Postecoglou was visibly frustrated afterward, criticising his side’s lack of intensity and focus. Injuries have certainly played a role, Son Heung-min and James Maddison’s absences have robbed Spurs of creativity, but their recent slump raises deeper questions about squad depth and mental resilience.

These results highlight the growing imbalance across the Premier League. At the bottom, some sides are already staring at the abyss before February. In the middle, ambitious clubs like Tottenham and Chelsea are struggling to establish consistency, creating openings for teams like Newcastle and Aston Villa to push upward. Week 20 didn’t just shape the title picture, it revealed who’s running out of excuses, and who’s quietly building momentum.

Game of the week: Liverpool 2-2 Manchester United With Liverpool being so dominant in 2024, and United struggling to find consistency, this flipped that script entirely, as United looked fresh and dominant, while Liverpool lacked cohesion and control. While neither side took the 3 points, United came away with much more positivity than their hosts.

Player of the week: Bryan Mbeumo With Brentford, it’s sometimes hard to know what you’re going to get, but a chance to flex their attacking muscles against the leagues whipping boys in Southampton meant Mbeumo could bag a brace and assist, while his teammates were also all keen to get in on the goal action.