Week 22 of the season again sees clubs looking to claim any advantage in their league placings, with the off-field transfer activity looming over the league. Bournemouth, Liverpool, Forest , Brighton, Chelsea and Manchester City all picked up big wins, while Arsenal, Spurs and the relegation candidates all struggled in this weekend’s action.

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 Leave It Late

Liverpool’s trip to the Gtech Community Stadium looked to be ending in frustration until Darwin Núñez decided otherwise. The Uruguayan striker, coming off the bench, produced two stoppage-time goals to turn a tense 0-0 into a dramatic 2-0 victory over Brentford. It was one of those wins that define a title race, not because of the margin, but because of the message it sends. When it seemed Liverpool might finally drop points, they instead found another gear, another moment of brilliance.

This was the kind of performance that champions are built on: patient, controlled, and ruthless when the moment arrived. Jürgen Klopp’s side didn’t dominate every minute, but they maintained their composure, trusted their process, and struck late, a familiar pattern for a side that has mastered game management under pressure. Brentford defended bravely, yet the energy Liverpool summoned in stoppage time underscored their confidence and fitness levels.

With that win, Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to six points, with a game in hand over Arsenal. It was a psychological hammer blow for their rivals, a reminder that even when Liverpool aren’t at their sparkling best, they find a way. Performances like this don’t just collect points; they build belief and momentum. As Klopp later hinted, it wasn’t about flair, it was about character, and that may prove the difference in this title race.

Arsenal Collapse

At the Emirates, Arsenal’s title push took a dent in agonising fashion. For 45 minutes, Mikel Arteta’s side were in control, two goals to the good through Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz, playing the kind of sharp, incisive football that had defined their autumn surge. The home crowd could sense another statement win. But football, as ever, punishes lapses. Aston Villa hit back through Youri Tielemans’ header and Ollie Watkins’ volley, turning what should’ve been a routine victory into a damaging 2-2 draw.

The equaliser seemed to suck the air out of the Emirates. Arsenal pressed late, believing they’d snatched a winner when Mikel Merino’s shot found the net, only for VAR to rule Havertz’s handball in the build-up. The sense of déjà vu was unmistakable, another afternoon where Arsenal controlled large stretches but failed to finish the job. That inability to close out games has haunted them in previous title pushes, and this felt like more than just two points dropped.

Now six points behind Liverpool, having played a game more, Arsenal’s margin for error has evaporated. Arteta’s men remain a serious force, but results like this test their mental strength. Villa, meanwhile, deserve huge credit for their resilience and tactical discipline; Unai Emery’s side continue to thrive against the league’s heavyweights. For Arsenal, though, this was a reminder that dominating possession means little if control slips for even a few minutes.

Kluivert’s Masterclass

At St James’ Park, the shock of the weekend arrived in emphatic fashion. Bournemouth didn’t just beat an in-form Newcastle side, they dismantled them, winning 4-1 with Justin Kluivert scoring a superb hat-trick. Newcastle entered the game on a six-match Premier League winning run, nine unbeaten in all competitions, and with home confidence sky-high. But from the opening minutes, Bournemouth were faster, hungrier, and more clinical. Kluivert struck early to set the tone and never looked back.

Newcastle’s defence, so tight in recent weeks, looked suddenly fragile. Bournemouth attacked with precision and energy, pressing high and exploiting space on the counter. Each time Newcastle tried to reset, Bournemouth hit them again. Kluivert’s third goal in stoppage time was the exclamation mark on a performance that felt symbolic: a smaller side, but fearless and fully deserving. Eddie Howe’s men, by contrast, looked shell-shocked, and their momentum evaporated in one humbling afternoon.

For Bournemouth, it was a statement win, proof that their rise under Andoni Iraola isn’t a fluke. They’ve become one of the league’s best-drilled, most efficient counter-attacking units, and this was validation of that evolution. For Newcastle, the defeat stings not just for the score line but for what it revealed: sustaining consistency at the top end of the table requires mental and tactical adaptability. A six-game winning streak is impressive; the true test is how quickly they bounce back from a collapse like this.

Game of the week: Everton 3-2 Tottenham Hotspur While both sides aren’t battling for much in the league this season, but remain clear of any relegation battle threat, Everton still look revitalised under Moyes, and their first half 3-0 lead left Tottenham on the back foot, and they couldn’t stage a full comeback despite their second half efforts.

Player of the week: Phil Foden Although City’s demolition of Ipswich highlighted the gulf in quality, Foden demonstrated the performance which has perhaps been missing too often this season for Guardiola’s side, as his brace and assist made light work of their opposition.