With 4 games remaining, this weekend brought some closure to the main talking points at either end of the table. With some inevitable places in the season being finalised, we saw the champions crowned, and the final relegated side confirmed. With some exciting mid-table clashes, the battle for European places will continue to the finish this season, while we also had a bit of cup action as the FA Cup finalists were also determined.

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.

Back On Top Of Their Perch

​Liverpool clinched their record-equalling 20th English league title in emphatic fashion, dismantling Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 at Anfield on Sunday. Despite an early setback with Dominic Solanke’s 12th-minute header giving Spurs the lead, the Reds responded with a relentless attacking display. Goals from Díaz, Mac Allister, and Gakpo turned the tide before halftime. Salah added a fourth after the break, marking his 28th league goal of the season and becoming the highest-scoring foreign player in Premier League history. An own goal by Destiny Udogie sealed the rout, as Liverpool secured the title with four games to spare.

The atmosphere at Anfield was electric as fans celebrated the club’s first league triumph since the 2019–20 season. Club legends Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush joined in the post-match festivities alongside supporters. Arne Slot, expressed his elation, stating, “It’s more than what I can describe. Everyone said we had already won it but you still feel pressure to get the point over the line”. Virgil van Dijk echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the team’s deserving status as champions.​

Throughout the season, Liverpool exhibited dominance, suffering only two defeats in 34 league matches. Salah’s exceptional form was pivotal, contributing 45 goal involvements, a record in a 38-game Premier League season. The midfield, bolstered by Mac Allister’s consistency, provided a solid foundation, while the defence, marshalled by van Dijk, remained resolute. Slot’s tactical acumen and squad rotation ensured sustained performance levels, culminating in a title win that matched Manchester United’s record of 20 league championships.​

In contrast, Tottenham’s season has been underwhelming, with the heavy defeat at Anfield highlighting their struggles. Currently positioned 16th in the Premier League after 34 games and enduring 19 losses, Spurs have shifted their focus fully to the Europa League. Ange Postecoglou views the upcoming semi-final against Bodø/Glimt as an opportunity to salvage the season and secure Champions League qualification. Maddison emphasized the team’s commitment to delivering silverware to their loyal fans, acknowledging the importance of the European campaign.

Up & Down

​Newcastle United delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over Ipswich Town at St James’ Park on Saturday, a result that confirmed the visitors’ relegation from the Premier League. Goals from Alexander Isak, Dan Burn, and substitute William Osula sealed the win for the Magpies, who dominated possession and created numerous chances against a beleaguered Ipswich side reduced to ten men following Ben Johnson’s first-half dismissal. The defeat left Ipswich with only 21 points, 15 adrift of safety with four matches remaining, marking their immediate return to the Championship after just one season in the top flight.​

Ipswich’s swift ascent from League One to the Premier League in just two seasons under manager Kieran McKenna was a remarkable achievement, but their top-flight campaign proved challenging. The team struggled to adapt to the rigors of the Premier League, managing only four wins and suffering from disciplinary issues, including five red cards throughout the season. Despite the disappointment, captain Luke Woolfenden expressed pride in the team’s journey and resilience, emphasizing the importance of learning from this experience to build a stronger future. As they prepare for a return to the Championship, retaining key players and maintaining squad cohesion will be crucial for Ipswich’s aspirations of bouncing back to the Premier League.​

For Newcastle, the match was notable not only for the victory but also for the return of manager Eddie Howe to the touchline after a period of illness. Howe’s presence seemed to galvanize the team, as they secured their seventh win in eight games, strengthening their position in the race for Champions League qualification. He praised the team’s patience and performance, particularly in breaking down a defensively organized Ipswich side, and highlighted the significance of contributions from various players, including the promising Osula. With four crucial fixtures remaining, Newcastle’s form under Howe’s guidance will be pivotal in determining their European ambitions.​

FA Cup Clashes

​Crystal Palace delivered a commanding performance in their FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa on Saturday, securing a 3-0 victory at Wembley. Eberechi Eze opened the scoring with a precise strike in the 34th minute, followed closely by Ismaïla Sarr’s header to double the lead. Sarr added a second goal after the break, sealing the win. Despite a missed penalty by Jean-Philippe Mateta and a disallowed goal, Palace’s dominance was evident. Manager Oliver Glasner praised his team’s discipline and counter-pressing, while Villa’s Unai Emery acknowledged Palace’s superiority.

On Sunday, Manchester City secured their place in the FA Cup final with a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest. Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol scored in each half, ensuring City’s third consecutive final appearance. City controlled the early stages, with midfielders Mateo Kovacic and Jack Grealish instrumental in maintaining possession. Forest mounted a late surge, with Morgan Gibbs-White hitting the woodwork twice and Taiwo Awoniyi also denied by the post, but City’s early goals and defensive resilience proved decisive.

Looking ahead to the final on 17 May, Crystal Palace aim to secure their first-ever FA Cup title, having previously reached the final in 1990 and 2016. Manchester City, seeking their ninth FA Cup triumph, will be formidable opponents, boasting a squad rich in talent and experience. Palace’s recent form and high-energy play under Glasner suggest they are ready to challenge City’s dominance. The final promises to be a compelling contest between a club chasing history and another looking to reaffirm their status at the pinnacle of English football.​

Game of the week: Liverpool 5-1 Tottenham Hotspur While the party atmosphere at Anfield, and the title celebrations will be all that is remembered from Sunday’s clash with Tottenham, the performance itself was still an indication of Liverpool’s strength this season. Despite Tottenham looking ahead to Thursday’s Europa League clash, and Liverpool ready to seal the title, the performance was icing on the cake for Liverpool fans who could really enjoy a party in the sunshine.

Player of the week: Matheus Cunha Amid reports of an impending transfer to Manchester United, Cunha didn’t sit back against the already relegated Leicester City. Continuing Wolves’ impressive run, Cunha made light work of their beaten opponents, bagging a goal and 2 assists to add to what could be a defining season in the Brazilian’s career.