The 2022/2023 Premier League season is now into its thirtieth 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.

Reality Check

For 40 minutes at Anfield, Arsenal looked every inch a side ready to end their long wait for a Premier League title. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus had the Gunners two up, silencing the home crowd and seemingly asserting their authority at one of the league’s most unforgiving venues. Mikel Arteta’s side were slick, brave in possession and ruthless in transition, exactly the qualities that had carried them to the summit.

But Anfield, particularly on a big occasion, has a habit of dragging Liverpool back into games, and this was no exception. Mohamed Salah pulled one back before half-time, instantly shifting the momentum, and from that point Arsenal found themselves under sustained pressure. The missed Salah penalty early in the second half felt like a moment of reprieve for the visitors, but it also acted as a warning that they were hanging on.

As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Arsenal’s resistance finally cracked. Roberto Firmino’s late equaliser sparked wild celebrations and left the away side visibly deflated. It wasn’t just two dropped points, it felt like a psychological blow, especially with Manchester City lurking ominously behind them with games in hand.

In hindsight, the draw would be remembered as a turning point in the title race. While Arsenal showed they could compete on the biggest stages, the match also exposed their vulnerability when momentum swung against them. For a young side chasing history, Anfield delivered a harsh but valuable lesson.

VAR Drama

Tottenham’s 2–1 home win over Brighton should have been remembered as a hard-fought victory in the race for European places. Instead, it became one of the most hotly debated matches of the season, dominated by officiating decisions that left Brighton players, staff and supporters furious. VAR, once again, was firmly in the spotlight.

Brighton felt aggrieved on multiple fronts, most notably when Kaoru Mitoma appeared to be fouled in the box with no penalty given. Several other incidents, including disallowed goals, compounded the sense of injustice, with replays only strengthening Brighton’s case. Roberto De Zerbi’s animated reactions on the touchline captured the mood perfectly.

For Tottenham, the controversy almost overshadowed what was an important result. Goals from Son Heung-min and Harry Kane kept Spurs firmly in the hunt for a top-four finish, but the performance itself was far from convincing. They rode their luck, struggled to control the game, and benefited from moments that went decisively in their favour.

The match reignited wider debates about VAR consistency, transparency and communication. Brighton’s style of play and season-long excellence had earned them widespread admiration, and this game felt like a moment where they were denied a fair reward. Long after the final whistle, it was the refereeing, not the football, that everyone was still talking about.

Battles

Elsewhere, Matchweek 30 delivered results that quietly but significantly reshaped the table. Manchester United’s 2–0 win over Everton was a professional, controlled performance that reinforced their grip on a top-four place. Goals from Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial helped Erik ten Hag’s side navigate a tricky fixture while Everton slipped deeper into relegation trouble.

Perhaps the most eye-catching scoreline of the weekend came at Elland Road, where Crystal Palace dismantled Leeds United 5–1. Under Roy Hodgson, Palace looked revitalised, organised, confident and devastating on the counter. For Leeds, the defeat was alarming, exposing defensive frailties and ramping up pressure in an already tense survival fight.

Newcastle United also continued their impressive campaign with a win away at Brentford, further strengthening their Champions League credentials. Eddie Howe’s side showed maturity and resilience, traits that had become hallmarks of their season, and underlined that their presence in the top four was no fluke.

Taken together, these results highlighted how finely balanced the league had become. While the title race grabbed headlines, crucial ground was being gained and lost in the battles for Europe and survival. Matchweek 30 may not have decided anything outright, but it played a pivotal role in shaping how the final weeks of the season would unfold.

Matchday 30 Player of the Week: Michael Olise With Palace dominating Leeds, Olise bagged a hat-trick of assists as he put on a clinic in attacking quality and creating chances.

Matchday 30 Game of the Week: Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal After City managed to batter Liverpool recently, Arsenal dropping points will have the visitors worried in their title charge. Now with just over a handful of games to go, the 2 dropped points could provide crucial from this clash.

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