The 2022/2023 Premier League season is now into its thirty-seventh 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.

Champions

Manchester City were officially crowned Premier League champions on Saturday evening, not through their own efforts on the pitch, but courtesy of Arsenal’s defeat at Nottingham Forest. The Gunners’ 1–0 loss meant they could no longer catch Pep Guardiola’s side, confirming City’s third consecutive league title and fifth in six seasons. It was a quietly celebratory moment for City, who were able to watch events unfold knowing the job was already done.

From City’s perspective, it was the perfect encapsulation of a relentless title run-in. After trailing Arsenal for much of the campaign, their depth, consistency and big-game mentality eventually told. The fact that the title was sealed before they even played that weekend underlined just how dominant their spring form had been.

For Arsenal, the result was a sobering end to a season that promised so much. Injuries, fatigue and dropped points at key moments finally caught up with a young side learning what it takes to go the distance. While disappointment was inevitable, their progress was undeniable, and Gameweek 37 simply marked the final handover of the crown.

Champions League Dreams

Elsewhere, the focus was firmly on the race for Europe, and Gameweek 37 brought confirmation for two clubs who had waited a long time. Newcastle United’s goalless draw against Leicester City was enough to secure Champions League qualification, completing a remarkable transformation under Eddie Howe. From relegation candidates just over a year earlier to Europe’s elite, the scenes at St James’ Park spoke volumes.

Manchester United also took a big step towards the top four with a hard-fought 1–0 win at Bournemouth. Casemiro’s acrobatic finish proved decisive, and while performances were far from fluent, Erik ten Hag’s side showed enough composure to keep control of their destiny heading into the final weekend.

Perhaps the most heart-warming European story, though, belonged to Brighton & Hove Albion. Their victory over Southampton guaranteed Europa League football, marking the first European qualification in the club’s history. Under Roberto De Zerbi, Brighton combined style, bravery and smart recruitment, and Gameweek 37 was the moment their outstanding season was formally rewarded.

Relegation Tension

At the other end of the table, the relegation fight delivered high drama and shifting momentum. Nottingham Forest’s win over Arsenal didn’t just decide the title, it all but secured Forest’s Premier League survival. In their first season back in the top flight, Steve Cooper’s side produced a statement performance when it mattered most, sparking emotional celebrations at the City Ground.

Everton, meanwhile, clung desperately to hope. A late equaliser away at Wolves earned them a crucial point, keeping their survival fate alive going into the final day. It wasn’t pretty, but it was exactly the kind of gritty moment Everton had been searching for during a season of struggle.

Leeds United were left staring into the abyss after defeat to West Ham. Their loss meant they headed into the final weekend needing help from elsewhere, with goal difference and confidence both against them. Gameweek 37 ensured that the relegation battle would go down to the wire, tense, unforgiving and quintessentially Premier League.

Matchday 37 Player of the Week: Evan Ferguson Brighton may well have another gem on their hands with Evan Ferguson, who bagged a brace against Southampton to give Brighton yet more reasons to celebrate at the end of the season. A solid showing for the young striker.

Matchday 37 Game of the Week: Manchester City 1-0 Chelsea The game that clinched the title, as City beat Chelsea in a game that wasn’t a classic spectacle, but did the job for Pep’s side to claim yet another title to their name.

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