Premier League Week 22 saw plenty of big match-ups, and some really unpredictable results which both could shape the table in the long-run, or nullify the week given the consistent dropped points at the top. We started with a banger in the Manchester derby, and while most of the games that followed didn’t quite live up to the opener, there’s still plenty of narratives and talking points to follow in the fallout of this last weekend.

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.

Carrick In Charge

The Manchester derby was always going to dominate the conversation in Week 22, but few expected it to unfold so convincingly in United’s favour. Their 2–0 win over Manchester City was more than just bragging rights, it was a controlled, mature performance that suggested real tactical clarity and belief. United pressed with intelligence rather than chaos, cut off City’s midfield supply lines, and looked comfortable without the ball. For long spells, this felt like a derby played on United’s terms, not City’s.

What stood out most was how subdued City looked. Accustomed to dictating tempo and territory, Guardiola’s side struggled to impose themselves and were largely restricted to hopeful wide deliveries. Erling Haaland, so often the focal point in big moments, was starved of service and cut a frustrated figure. United’s centre-backs read the game superbly, stepping in front of City runners and winning key duels early, which seemed to sap City’s confidence as the match wore on.

For United, this felt symbolic. The win represented progress rather than a one-off smash-and-grab result. Their midfield balance was excellent, the full-backs chose their moments to advance, and there was a noticeable togetherness in how they defended leads, something that has not always been a given in recent seasons. The crowd sensed it too, roaring every interception and tackle like a goal of its own.

From a title-race perspective, the implications were significant. City dropping points opened the door for rivals above them, while also injecting doubt into a side that thrives on momentum. January is often when championships are shaped, and this defeat, both in terms of points and psychology, felt like a moment that could linger far beyond the final whistle at Old Trafford.

Premier League Depth

Week 22 was a reminder of why the Premier League remains so relentlessly competitive. Across the weekend, mid-table and newly promoted teams repeatedly upset the expected hierarchy, taking points off clubs chasing Europe or consolidation near the top half. These were not lucky results either, they were performances built on tactical discipline, intensity, and a growing fearlessness from teams refusing to accept their “place” in the table.

Several matches followed a familiar pattern: underdogs absorbing pressure before striking decisively. Whether it was late goals, stubborn defensive displays, or moments of individual brilliance, these teams showed they belong at this level. The margins were small, but crucially, belief was not. Home crowds played their part too, turning tight contests into emotionally charged battles where favourites suddenly looked uncomfortable.

One of the standout themes was youth making the difference. Young players stepped up with decisive contributions, whether through last-gasp goals, fearless attacking play, or defensive maturity beyond their years. It underlined how well some clubs are recruiting and developing talent outside the traditional elite, and how quickly those players are now influencing Premier League outcomes.

Perhaps most striking was the broader statistic that none of the traditional “top six” truly imposed themselves during the round. That collective wobble highlighted the growing parity in the division. This is no longer a league where reputation guarantees points, and Week 22 felt like a snapshot of a Premier League evolving into something flatter, fiercer, and far less predictable.

Spurs In Trouble

Tottenham’s defeat to West Ham summed up a deeply frustrating season for Spurs. Once again, promising spells were undone by lapses in concentration and an inability to manage key moments. Despite spells of attacking intent, Spurs looked vulnerable whenever West Ham transitioned, and the game had a familiar feel, pressure without control, possession without security.

The mood darkened further with the injury to Ben Davies, an incident that cast a long shadow over the result itself. The sight of the defender receiving oxygen before being stretchered off was sobering, and it reinforced the sense that Tottenham’s season has been defined as much by misfortune as by form. With an already stretched squad, losing another experienced defensive option threatens to destabilise an area of the pitch that has struggled for continuity.

From a tactical standpoint, Tottenham continue to look caught between ideas. There are glimpses of what they want to be, proactive, aggressive, front-foot, but execution has been inconsistent. Defensive transitions remain a concern, and opponents increasingly appear confident that chances will come if they stay patient. Home form, once a strength, has become a source of anxiety rather than confidence.

The pressure is quietly building. While no immediate conclusions are being drawn, the sense of drift is hard to ignore. Spurs are not in crisis, but they are stuck in a cycle of setbacks that prevent momentum from ever forming. Week 22 didn’t just add another defeat to the record, it deepened the feeling that Tottenham are still searching for stability in a season that’s slipping into frustration.

Game of the week: Manchester United 2-0 Manchester City In recent years, the Manchester derby hasn’t always delivered, with either City dominating or a stalemate which bores the neutral, and the drama of the games 5-10 years ago feels a distant memory. However, this game delivered the game of the week due to the narratives around both sides, the complete dominance of United after just a few days of Carrick’s leadership and potentially season altering moods around both clubs.

Player of the week: Bruno Fernandes With Fernandes given back his preferred no.10/free-roaming role in the side, we saw him at his best once again, setting up a goal and producing the link-up play that contains the confidence and flair while also motivating those around him to be better. After his recent injury knock, and unsure start to the season, this is the player at his finest.