The Premier League’s first full midweek round of December rarely disappoints, and Matchweek 15 of the 2023/24 season delivered drama in spades. With fixtures packed tightly into three nights, the league table began to take on clearer shape, but not without a few shocks along the way. From a seismic result at Villa Park, to a remarkable reaction from a club fighting off-field adversity, and a chaotic heavyweight clash at Old Trafford, this was a week that rippled across both ends of the table.

Below are the three biggest talking points that defined a pivotal set of fixtures and set the tone for the frenetic festive period ahead.

Let us know over on Twitter (@NextGoalWinBlog) if you have seen anything in a game that you think we should be talking about, or have anything to share from what you’ve seen at a game that week. Any funny stories, tactical analysis or general comments will be featured.

Villa Are Contenders?

Aston Villa’s 1–0 victory over Manchester City on 6 December wasn’t just a big result, it was a statement. Under the lights at Villa Park, Unai Emery’s side didn’t simply frustrate the reigning champions; they dominated them. City, so often the masters of control, were outplayed in midfield and restricted to a single shot on target across the entire match.

Leon Bailey’s second-half strike was the deserved reward for a relentless Villa performance built on aggressive pressing, intelligent positioning, and fearless attacking intent. From the opening whistle, Villa forced City backwards, with Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara winning the midfield battle and the wide players stretching Pep Guardiola’s defensive structure.

The result extended Villa’s extraordinary home record, they hadn’t lost at Villa Park in the league since August, and propelled them firmly into the title conversation. What made the performance so striking was its sustainability: this didn’t look like a smash-and-grab or a one-off upset, but the product of a well-drilled, confident side executing a clear plan.

For Manchester City, the defeat raised questions at a rare moment of vulnerability. With key players missing and fatigue creeping in, City suddenly looked human. Dropped points in December are nothing new for Guardiola’s side, but Villa’s dominance suggested this season’s title race might be more open, and more crowded, than usual.

Everton Respond

Just days after being hit with a 10-point deduction, Everton produced one of the performances of the season, sweeping aside Newcastle United 3–0 at Goodison Park on 7 December. It was a night defined by defiance, unity, and a crowd fully behind a team that felt wronged.

From the outset, Everton played with urgency and aggression. Dwight McNeil opened the scoring early, before goals from Abdoulaye Doucouré and Beto sealed a comprehensive victory. Newcastle, already stretched by injuries and European commitments, simply couldn’t cope with Everton’s intensity or physicality.

Sean Dyche deserves enormous credit for how his side responded. Rather than shrinking under pressure, Everton looked galvanised by the setback. The structure was disciplined, the pressing coordinated, and the desire unmistakable, hallmarks of a team fully bought into its manager’s message.

Beyond the result itself, the win reshaped the relegation narrative. It sent a clear signal that Everton, despite their points penalty, were far from beaten. The emotional scenes at full-time reflected a fanbase reconnecting with a team that showed fight, resilience, and belief, qualities essential for survival battles to come.

United-Chelsea

If Villa vs City was about tactical excellence, Manchester United’s 2–1 win over Chelsea on 6 December was pure Premier League chaos. A breathless encounter at Old Trafford delivered end-to-end football, defensive lapses, and a decisive brace from Scott McTominay, an unlikely but increasingly reliable match-winner.

Chelsea struck first through Cole Palmer, capitalising on familiar United defensive uncertainty. But rather than collapse, United responded with urgency, energy, and directness. McTominay’s two goals, arriving either side of half-time, flipped the contest and reignited the crowd.

The match encapsulated both clubs’ seasons at that point: flashes of quality undermined by inconsistency. Chelsea played some excellent football in spells but were undone by lapses in concentration and a lack of clinical edge. United, meanwhile, showed character and attacking threat but continued to look fragile without the ball.

For Erik ten Hag, the victory bought breathing space during a turbulent run, while for Chelsea it was another reminder that progress under Mauricio Pochettino would take time. The spectacle may not have been flawless, but it was gripping, the kind of messy, dramatic encounter that keeps the Premier League endlessly compelling.

Matchday 15 Player of the Week: Andreas Pereira While Jimenez and Iwobi both bagged a brace, it was the Brazilian playmaker who bagged 2 assists, created the most chances and hit the woodwork himself as he pulled the strings in Fulham’s dominant display against Forest.

Matchday 15 Game of the Week: Luton Town 3-4 Arsenal With Arsenal needing a 97th minute winner, it looked like Luton would pick up a huge point after a strong showing against Arsenal, but the late goal from Rice means Arsenal avoid an embarrassing slip-up in their title challenge.

Let us know over on Twitter (@NextGoalWinBlog) what you made of the fifteenth round of fixtures, and what you’re looking forward to in the next game week.