Premier League week 25 had provided a perfect schedule for the league’s narrative, with City and Liverpool squaring off to provide an interesting title race clash, there were big match-ups at the bottom of the table, and Manchester United looking for revenge on the Europa League final loss to Spurs. Plenty of little storylines to follow over a weekend that delivered 29 goals of decent quality, and plenty for us to look back through.

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.

Late Show

Anfield rarely hosts quiet afternoons, but Sunday’s clash between Liverpool and Manchester City felt particularly loaded with consequence. City arrived knowing that anything less than a win would leave their title hopes fading fast, and for long stretches it looked as though Liverpool would deliver that blow. Dominik Szoboszlai’s superb second-half free-kick sent the home crowd into full voice and appeared to tilt the balance Liverpool’s way in a match that had been finely poised throughout.

What followed, though, was a familiar Manchester City response. Pep Guardiola’s side stayed patient, moved the ball with increasing urgency, and gradually began to squeeze Liverpool deeper. Bernardo Silva’s late equaliser was a reward for that pressure, arriving at a moment when Liverpool were beginning to look stretched. Then, deep into stoppage time, City were handed the chance they crave in moments like these: Erling Haaland stepping up from the penalty spot, calm as ever, to complete the turnaround and silence Anfield.

Beyond the goals, the match will be remembered for its controversy. Tempers flared late on, a City goal was chalked off after VAR intervention, and Szoboszlai’s dismissal added fuel to an already heated debate around officiating consistency. Liverpool boss Arne Slot was visibly frustrated afterwards, feeling his side had been punished harshly, while City simply pointed to their resilience and belief.

In the wider context, this was a seismic result. Winning at Anfield remains one of the league’s toughest assignments, and City’s ability to do so under pressure keeps the title race alive. Arsenal may still hold the advantage, but this was a reminder that City, written off by some only weeks earlier, are still very much stalking from behind.

Newcastle’s Slide

Newcastle United’s season has been defined by frustration, and Saturday’s home defeat to Brentford felt like another chapter in the same story. There was early promise as the Magpies took the lead and looked in control, the crowd sensing a much-needed confidence boost. Instead, the game slipped away in familiar fashion, with Newcastle unable to manage key moments and Brentford growing in belief as the match wore on.

Brentford’s comeback was efficient and ruthless. They targeted Newcastle’s defensive lapses, exploited transitions, and showed a sharpness in the final third that the hosts lacked. Even when Newcastle were handed a route back into the game, the sense of fragility never quite disappeared. By the final whistle, St. James’ Park felt deflated rather than angry, a worrying sign in itself.

The conversation has now moved decisively beyond individual results. Three straight league defeats have sharpened the focus on Eddie Howe, whose project once looked like one of the Premier League’s most coherent success stories. Heavy investment has raised expectations, and with Newcastle drifting in mid-table, questions are being asked about tactical flexibility, game management, and whether this squad has plateaued.

Howe has remained composed publicly, stressing unity and hard work, but the margins are shrinking. Newcastle are not in immediate danger, yet they are far from where they expected to be. The coming weeks feel pivotal, not just for their league position, but for the direction of the club as a whole.

Leeds Are Up

Friday night brought pressure, noise and genuine jeopardy as Leeds United hosted Nottingham Forest in a fixture that carried far more weight than its calendar slot suggested. Leeds responded exactly as their supporters hoped, playing with urgency and clarity to secure a 3–1 win that could prove season-defining. From the opening exchanges, there was a sense that Leeds understood the stakes and were prepared to embrace them.

Their attacking play was sharp and purposeful, stretching Forest and forcing mistakes. Dominic Calvert-Lewin once again underlined his importance with a commanding presence up front, while Leeds’ midfield pressed aggressively and kept the tempo high. Forest threatened sporadically but never quite managed to wrestle control, and by the time they pulled a goal back, the damage had largely been done.

The result lifts Leeds out of the bottom spots and, just as importantly, injects belief into a squad that has flirted with self-doubt for much of the campaign. Wins in relegation six-pointers tend to ripple beyond the table, changing dressing-room mood and fan confidence in equal measure. Elland Road felt alive again, not with relief, but with cautious optimism.

For Forest, it was a sobering night. Opportunities to pull clear of danger don’t come often in this part of the table, and failing to take one leaves them looking nervously over their shoulder once more. As the season edges toward its final third, weekends like this can linger, for Leeds as a turning point, and for Forest as a missed chance that may yet haunt them.

Game of the week: Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City While a lot of clashes this weekend could play a role in the final standings, Sunday afternoon’s clash feels pivotal, as in the span of 10 minutes, Arsenal were booking the open top bus parade, to then still looking over their shoulder for a chasing City side. the terrific goal from Szoboszlai will go by the waste-side, but the late drama from City made this a key moment that could define a season shift.

Player of the week: Ilia Gruev With 2 assists for Leeds in their win over Forest, Gruev’s showing could be a pivotal part of the season at the bottom of the table. With the relegation threatened sides facing off this weekend, Leeds coming away with such a vital 3 points puts them closer to safety while Forest are hovering over the drop zone. Along with his 2 goal contributions, Gruev also was the most accurate passer (98%), managed 2 shots, kept a 100% dribble success and maintained 100% long ball accuracy.