The 2022/2023 Premier League season is now into its nineteenth game week, and the entertainment continues to be relentless and thoroughly enjoyable.

As a result, we will be breaking down each round of fixtures by picking out 3 of the biggest talking points, covering the biggest results, goals and general talking points from the week. We then will round off by picking our player of the week and game of the week based on what we saw in that round of games.

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.

City Edge Past Chelsea

Manchester City’s narrow 1–0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was one of those games that won’t be remembered for its spectacle, but certainly for its significance. Pep Guardiola’s side were far from their fluent best in the first half, struggling to break down a well-organised Chelsea team who, despite their recent stumbles, showed plenty of defensive discipline. But City’s ability to flick a switch when required has been a hallmark of their title-winning sides, and once Guardiola turned to his bench, the dynamic of the match changed instantly.

The winning goal, crafted by the combination of Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez, was a reminder of the individual quality City can call upon. Grealish’s teasing ball across the box caught the Chelsea defence flat-footed, and Mahrez, always alive to an opportunity, arrived at the back post to steer home the decisive finish. It was a moment of sharpness in an otherwise tight and cagey game, the type of clinical edge that so often defines City’s season.

Beyond the score line, the win carried major implications for the title race. Arsenal had set an impressive pace at the top, and any slip from City at this stage would have felt damaging. Instead, they showed their experience, collecting three points away at a difficult ground and keeping the pressure firmly on Mikel Arteta’s side. For Chelsea, meanwhile, the result highlighted the transitional nature of their season, talent present, structure inconsistent, and results frequently slipping away in fine margins.

Newcastle Frustrate Arsenal

Arsenal’s 0–0 draw with Newcastle was a match defined by tension and tactical discipline rather than attacking fireworks. The Emirates has been a fortress for the Gunners this season, yet Newcastle arrived with a clear plan: stay compact, disrupt rhythm, and pounce on counterattacks when possible. It worked. Mikel Arteta’s side struggled to carve out their usual flowing combinations in the final third, hampered by Newcastle’s stubborn defensive shape.

The match was notable for its physical edge and stop-start rhythm, which played into the visitors’ hands. Arsenal pushed aggressively in the final stages, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka both had moments where they looked capable of producing the breakthrough, but Newcastle’s determination to leave North London with something was unquestionable. Nick Pope was commanding, the back four were disciplined, and Eddie Howe’s team showed why they were firmly cemented in the top four conversation.

For Arsenal, the draw served as a minor check in their momentum rather than a derailment. They remained top of the table, still playing with purpose and confidence, but this was a reminder that the second half of a title race brings tighter margins and tougher opponents. Newcastle, on the other hand, walked away with a statement point. They showed that, far from being early-season overachievers, they could go toe-to-toe with the league leaders and frustrate them on their own turf.

Mid-Table Shake-Up

While the spotlight naturally fell on the title race, Week 19 also delivered several results with meaningful consequences further down the table. Brighton’s emphatic 4–1 thrashing of Everton was one of the standout performances of the round, showcasing the Seagulls’ attacking fluency under Roberto De Zerbi. They sliced through Everton repeatedly, exposing fragilities that only intensified pressure on Frank Lampard. For Brighton, it was another stepping stone in what was fast becoming a confident, European-chasing campaign.

Fulham continued their impressive season with a composed win away at Leicester, a result that reinforced Marco Silva’s side as one of the Premier League’s surprise packages. Their balance between defensive structure and attacking flair has been a hallmark of their rise into the upper reaches of the table. Leicester, meanwhile, were left frustrated—they created chances but lacked the sharpness needed to capitalise, a recurring theme in an up-and-down campaign.

At the bottom, Nottingham Forest’s win at Southampton may prove to be one of the most important of their season. Forest had struggled for consistency, especially away from home, but their resilience and efficiency in this match hinted at a team slowly finding its feet. Southampton, by contrast, were plunged deeper into trouble, the home crowd growing restless as form and confidence continued to slip away. Tottenham’s convincing 4–0 win at Crystal Palace rounded out the significant results of the week, a much-needed spark for Antonio Conte’s side after a shaky December.

Collectively, these matches added layers of intrigue across the league. The mid-table shuffled, the relegation zone tightened, and several teams either gained fresh belief or suffered setbacks that could linger into the crucial months ahead. Week 19 may not have had a single headline shock, but it delivered plenty of plot-building moments that shaped trajectories both at the top and bottom of the Premier League.

Matchday 19 Player of the Week: Harry Kane With a brace in the comfortable 4-0 win, Kane was on top form once again as they picked up a dominant victory and Kane edges closer to the Tottenham record.

Matchday 19 Game of the Week: Brentford 3-1 As Liverpool bring their winning run to a close, they were 2 behind at half-time when Klopp made 3 changes, but a goal from Oxlade-Chamberlain couldn’t help a comeback as Mbeumo made it 3-1 and a huge win for Brentford.

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