On the back of the last international break in the year, week 12 of the Premier League saw some big results, and almost some huge shocks. With Manchester City continuing to wobble and struggle, Liverpool avoided a huge shock at Southampton, and there were some other interesting results all down the table.

As always, in this post we will be picking out 3 of the biggest talking points of the weekend, along with giving out the game of the week and player of the week awards. If we’ve missed something in this post that you saw over the weekend please do get in touch with us on all the usual places (Bluesky @NextGoalWinner – Instagram @NextGoalWin), and if you prefer an audio round up of the action then do check out our YouTube channel (@NextGoalWinner) where we post weekly reviews on there of all the key talking points in the Premier League and around Europe.

City Collapse

Few could have predicted what unfolded at the Etihad that weekend. Manchester City, unbeaten at home in 52 matches across all competitions, were blown away 4–0 by Tottenham Hotspur in one of the shocks of the season. City looked strangely flat, defensively disjointed, short of control in midfield, and bereft of ideas in attack. Spurs, in contrast, were ruthless, pressing high, exploiting spaces, and punishing every lapse in concentration.

The result didn’t just dent City’s pride, it reignited the Premier League title race. Pep Guardiola’s side, so often dominant and untouchable, suddenly appeared mortal. The loss left City several points behind Liverpool, who took full advantage with another win of their own. For the first time in years, City looked like a team in need of answers rather than one with all of them.

Guardiola spoke afterwards about the need to “reset mentally,” and it’s hard to disagree. This wasn’t a one-off off-day; it was a performance that raised questions about fatigue, complacency, and perhaps the need for tactical refreshment. The aura of invincibility at the Etihad has been punctured, and with tougher fixtures ahead, City will have to rediscover their intensity quickly if they’re to stay in touch with the leaders.

Liverpool Extend Their Lead

While City faltered, Liverpool did what potential champions do, they found a way to win. Their 3–2 comeback victory at Southampton wasn’t a masterclass in control or precision, but it was a display of resilience, experience, and belief. Twice behind on the south coast, Liverpool dug in, rallied, and turned the game around through moments of individual brilliance and collective spirit.

Mohamed Salah was at the heart of it once again, scoring twice, including a calmly dispatched penalty, to drag his side over the line. Under Arne Slot, Liverpool have shown an ability to grind out results even when not at their best. That’s often the mark of a team capable of sustaining a title challenge deep into the spring.

The result extended their lead at the top of the table and added to the growing sense that this Liverpool side, blending Slot’s tactical precision with the club’s trademark energy, could be genuine champions in waiting. They’ve rediscovered the knack of staying calm under pressure, a quality that has deserted their rivals in recent weeks. If they can maintain this balance between flair and grit, the title may be theirs to lose.

Both Ends Of The Table

Matchweek 12 wasn’t just about the title contenders; there were big stories elsewhere too. At the bottom, Wolverhampton Wanderers produced one of their best performances of the season, overturning an early deficit to beat Fulham 4–1 away from home. Matheus Cunha was sensational, scoring twice and assisting another as Wolves finally showed the cutting edge they’d been missing. The win lifted them temporarily out of the relegation zone and injected much-needed confidence into their campaign.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s 2–1 victory over Leicester City added more intrigue to the battle for European places. Leicester, who had started the season brightly, continued to slide, and questions about their manager’s future became unavoidable. In contrast, Chelsea’s recent upturn under Mauricio Pochettino hinted at growing consistency, something that had eluded them earlier in the campaign.

The weekend’s results reminded everyone why the Premier League remains the most unpredictable league in the world. The top two may be pulling away, but from the European chasers to the relegation battlers, every point feels precious. As winter approaches, the margins are tightening, the narratives multiplying, and the drama only deepening.

Game of the week: Southampton 2-3 Liverpool 20th vs 1st doesn’t sound like the best watch of the week, but with Southampton putting on a strong showing, even going ahead to make it 2-1, Liverpool fought back late with Salah the hero once again.

Player of the week: James Maddison With 2 goals against a questionable City outfit, Maddison had a strong showing in which he won the most duels (9), drew the most fouls (5), and bagged a brace in what was a solid showing against a tricky side struggling for form.