Matchday 34 certainly delivered a fair amount of action as the season draws to a close. With Arsenal and City’s title battle going down to the wire, the relegated sides are facing the brink of the drop which is yet to be mathematically confirmed but looking more and more likely, while battles for the European spots are also taking centre stage. As a result, we have plenty of talking points and action to discuss, and surely even more to come in the final weeks.

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.

Title Drama

When Arsenal travelled to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, nerves were understandably high. After a midweek European exit and some inconsistent league form, the Gunners needed a controlled performance. Leandro Trossard’s composed strike just before halftime opened the scoring, and Martin Ødegaard added a late second to seal a 2–0 win. It wasn’t the most dazzling display, but it was effective, exactly what Arsenal needed at this stage of the season.

The win returned Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table, putting them ahead of Manchester City by a point, though City still had a game in hand. Beyond the numbers, the result delivered a much-needed boost in confidence and momentum. For manager Mikel Arteta, it was a reassuring reminder that his side can still deliver under pressure, even when expectations are sky-high.

Liverpool responded to the Gunners’ victory on Sunday, travelling to Craven Cottage to face Fulham. The Reds produced a clinical 3–1 victory, with Trent Alexander‑Arnold scoring a stunning free-kick to set the tone. Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota added second-half goals to secure the points, drawing Liverpool level with Arsenal on 74 points, though Arsenal remained top on goal difference.

With just five games left in the season, the title race has never looked tighter. Every slip, every moment of brilliance, and every tactical decision could prove decisive. The weekend highlighted the drama of the Premier League — unpredictable, nerve-wracking, and exhilarating all at once.

Battle At The Bottom

At the other end of the table, Burnley earned a vital 4–1 win over bottom-placed Sheffield United. The Clarets needed a statement performance, and they delivered with authority. Early goals from Jacob Bruun Larsen and Lorenz Assignon gave Burnley control, while Sheffield United briefly responded with a goal of their own in the second half.

Burnley refused to be rattled, though. Later strikes from Lyle Foster and Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson wrapped up a dominant win, moving them closer to safety. The victory was as much about confidence as points, it showed that Burnley still have fight left in them as the season enters its final, crucial stages.

For Sheffield United, the defeat was a bitter reminder of how difficult their season has been. But for Burnley, the result offered a lifeline. It proved that with belief, composure, and determination, survival is still within reach, even when the odds appear stacked against you.

This match perfectly illustrates how relegation battles can be just as dramatic and pivotal as title races, with high stakes and every point feeling priceless.

Every Match Matters

What makes this weekend stand out is how it emphasized the intensity of the Premier League at both ends of the table. Arsenal’s solid, workmanlike win and Liverpool’s swift response underscored how competitive the title race is, where even small margins can determine the outcome.

Meanwhile, Burnley’s emphatic victory showed that survival battles are similarly high-stakes. The difference between despair and hope often comes down to resilience, belief, and seizing the moment when it counts most.

In just two days, the league delivered everything fans love: drama, goals, tactical intrigue, and the constant reminder that in the Premier League, no result is guaranteed. The race for glory at the top and the battle to avoid the drop remain wide open, ensuring that the final stretch of the season promises more thrilling narratives.

Matchday 34 Player of the Week: Eberechi Eze While Mateta bagged a brace, Eze was a standout from Palace’s dominant display at home to West Ham. With a goal, assist and the most dribbles completed, Eze showed once again how brilliant he can be in the Palace forward line, with questions surely to come over the future of him, Olise and Mateta this summer.

Matchday 34 Game of the Week: Sheffield United 1-4 Burnley While a battle at the bottom might not be the focus for most in the closing stage of a season, this win for Burnley gives them a glimmer of hope for survival, while all-but relegates Sheffield United as they limped to another big defeat.

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