The 2022/2023 Premier League season is now into its twenty-second 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.

Dyche In Charge

Sean Dyche promised “hard work, organisation, and basics done well” in his first press conference, and Everton delivered exactly that in a shock 1–0 win over league-leaders Arsenal at Goodison Park. The atmosphere was electric even before kick-off, with supporters sensing this could be a turning point after weeks of frustration. Everton pressed with purpose, played with clear structure, and looked far more confident on the ball than they had in the final days of Frank Lampard’s tenure.

Arsenal, who had been in outstanding form, struggled to find the fluency that had defined their season. Mikel Arteta’s side were unusually loose in midfield, and their wide players found it difficult to influence the game thanks to Everton’s aggressive press and compact defensive shape. The Gunners created half-chances but never truly carved open the hosts, and frustration crept in as the match went on.

The winner, fittingly, came from Dyche’s tried-and-trusted formula: a set piece, a big centre-half, and sheer desire. James Tarkowski rose above everyone to nod home Dwight McNeil’s corner, sparking wild celebrations in the stands. The goal felt symbolic, a reminder that Dyche’s coaching clarity could revitalise this Everton squad.

For Arsenal, it was a rare stumble in a campaign where almost everything had gone right. While not disastrous, the defeat reopened the door in the title race and raised questions about whether the squad could maintain its composure under growing pressure. For Everton, meanwhile, it was a statement performance: evidence that Dyche could engineer a survival charge and restore belief at a club desperately in need of direction.

Kane Breaks Record

Tottenham’s meeting with Manchester City was always likely to be lively, but the narrative quickly centred on one man: Harry Kane. His 267th goal for the club, a crisp right-footed finish inside the box, etched his name into Spurs history as their all-time leading scorer, surpassing the legendary Jimmy Greaves. It was the kind of moment that perfectly encapsulated Kane’s career: instinctive, clinical, and delivered under pressure.

City, as they often do, controlled possession for long periods but struggled to break down Spurs’ well-drilled defensive structure. Cristian Romero was immense before eventually seeing red, and the midfield screen worked tirelessly to deny City any rhythm in the final third. Even Erling Haaland, usually a constant threat, was completely nullified, a rare sight in a season where he had been unstoppable.

For Spurs, the match showcased their ability to raise their levels against elite opposition, something the fanbase had been longing to see consistently. Despite questions around their form and Antonio Conte’s future, the team played with commitment and clear tactical purpose. Kane’s milestone added emotional weight, prompting warm tributes from supporters and pundits alike.

As for Manchester City, the result was a frustrating missed opportunity. With Arsenal losing the previous day, the champions had a chance to apply serious pressure in the title race. Instead, their inability to win or even score at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium continued, and Guardiola once again left North London wondering how such a dominant team could look so blunt in one specific venue.

Liverpool Crisis

Liverpool arrived at Molineux hoping to reset after an inconsistent run of form, but what followed was one of their poorest displays of the season. Wolves struck early through a Joel Matip own goal, and when Craig Dawson hammered in a second minutes later, Liverpool looked shell-shocked. The defensive frailties that had crept into their season were exposed brutally, with the back line repeatedly pulled out of shape.

Jürgen Klopp’s side tried to respond, but their midfield once again looked vulnerable, unable to control transitions, unable to win second balls, and unable to provide the platform for their attackers. While Liverpool enjoyed more possession in the second half, clear scoring chances were scarce, and Wolves continued to threaten on the break. The sense of uncertainty around Liverpool’s play was striking, a sharp contrast to their dominance in recent years.

Wolves, to their credit, were superb. Julen Lopetegui’s tactical plan was executed perfectly: aggressive pressing early on, followed by disciplined, organised defending once ahead. The third goal from Rúben Neves, a sweeping counterattack finished with real composure, felt like a fair reflection of the balance of play. It also provided a huge lift to Wolves’ survival hopes.

For Liverpool, however, the defeat intensified already-growing concerns. Questions around the midfield rebuild, individual form, and the overall energy of the squad became louder. Klopp remained defiant in interviews, but there was no denying that Liverpool looked miles off their usual standard. Champions League qualification, once a formality, suddenly seemed uncertain, and the pressure only increased in the weeks that followed.

Matchday 22 Player of the Week: Kalechi Iheanacho With a goal and 2 assists against Villa, the Leicester City forward was dominant as he helped his side to come from behind twice to claim a big win.

Matchday 22 Game of the Week: Aston Villa 2-4 Leicester City With a 6 goal clash between the two sides, we had 5 goals inside of the first-half, with Leicester twice coming from behind to claim a huge win thanks to Kalechi Iheanacho’s efforts.

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