Week 36 of the Premier League sees the competition near the final stages, and while the major placing at the very top and bottom of the table are already wrapped up, that doesn’t mean everyone has checked-out, and even those sides on the beach could have a say in the final standings. With the expanded European places offering huge opportunities for sides in the top-half, there will be a battle continuing until the very end of the season.

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.

Forest’s Dreams

Heading into the weekend, Nottingham Forest were riding a wave of optimism. With European football suddenly within reach, a home fixture against already-relegated Leicester City looked like the perfect opportunity to tighten their grip on a top-five finish. Chris Wood’s 20th goal of the season had the City Ground bouncing, and for a while, it seemed as though Forest would coast to victory. But as the match wore on, complacency crept in, and Leicester, who had little left to lose, clawed their way back to secure a 2–2 draw.

The result itself was disappointing, but it was the manner of the draw that hurt most. Forest twice led and twice allowed Leicester back into the game. The defensive lapses that had been masked by earlier attacking flair suddenly reappeared, leaving Nuno Espírito Santo’s side frustrated. By full-time, the mood in Nottingham had shifted from excitement to exasperation, a reminder that consistency and game management are vital qualities for teams chasing European football.

To make matters worse, tension flared on the touchline as Forest’s owner Evangelos Marinakis and manager Nuno exchanged heated words, a moment that captured the pressure surrounding the club’s late-season push. While Forest remain one of the surprise packages of the campaign, this draw was a timely wake-up call. If they want Thursday nights under the lights next season, they’ll need more composure and unity in the final weeks of the campaign.

Fulham Fizzle Out

At Craven Cottage, Fulham’s European ambitions took a serious hit as they slumped to a 3–1 defeat against Everton. For much of the first half, Marco Silva’s side looked in control, with Raúl Jiménez’s opener igniting belief that another home win could push them closer to the European places. But after the break, the game flipped on its head. Everton, rejuvenated and ruthless, struck twice in quick succession through Michael Keane and Beto, turning the contest on its head and leaving Fulham stunned.

It was a deflating afternoon for the home fans, who have grown accustomed to Silva’s side playing with poise and precision on the banks of the Thames. Instead, they watched a team short on defensive structure and struggling to respond to adversity. Fulham’s set-piece defending was particularly poor, an issue that has cropped up too often this season, and Everton took full advantage. The final whistle brought a mix of boos and resigned applause, a collective recognition that the European dream might just be slipping away.

While Fulham’s progress under Silva this season has been admirable, this defeat served as a reality check. Their performances have shown flashes of quality, but inconsistency has been their undoing. If they want to compete regularly at the top end of the table, games like this, where control turns to chaos, must become a thing of the past.

A City Blip

A goalless draw between Manchester City and Southampton might not seem headline-worthy at first glance but given the circumstances, it was one of the weekend’s biggest shocks. Facing a side already relegated, Pep Guardiola’s men were expected to stroll to victory. Instead, they were frustrated from start to finish by a spirited Saints side who dug deep to earn a point and avoid setting an unwanted Premier League record for the lowest-ever points tally.

City dominated possession, fired 26 shots, and spent almost the entire match camped in Southampton’s half, yet somehow couldn’t find a way through. Even the return of Erling Haaland from injury couldn’t shift their fortunes. Time and again, the champions were denied by a combination of poor finishing and inspired goalkeeping. By full-time, Guardiola’s exasperation was clear on the touchline, this was a game they simply should have won.

While the draw doesn’t derail City’s season completely, it came at a delicate moment in the race for the top-five. With rivals pushing hard for Champions League qualification, dropped points against the league’s bottom side could prove costly. It was a reminder that even football’s most relentless machines can misfire, and that, sometimes, heart and determination can still trump talent on a Premier League afternoon.

Game of the week: Nottingham Forest 2-2 Leicester City Forest weren’t sure whether to party or cry as they drew with Leicester City, marking a confirmation of a European place, but losing an opportunity to reclaim a Champions League place, now making it look likely that Europa League or Conference League is the likely end point for the home side.

Player of the week: Eberechi Eze With their FA Cup final clash on the horizon, Palace go into it full of confidence after brushing aside a Spurs team that have fully switched their focus. Eze was laughing as the ball went in to secure a brace in the 3 minutes either side of half-time. A solid performance that sees Palace’s danger man on top form ahead of their crucial clash.