After the Christmas fun, football offered us a boxing day treat as we had 8 games taking place on the 26th and 2 on the 27th, with clubs battling and jostling for end of year points that can boost them into a strong start for 2025. However, some of the big hitters stumbled, while others made tougher work of their opponents to claim a big 3 points.

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.

Liverpool Extend Their Grip

Liverpool’s 3–1 comeback win over Leicester at Anfield summed up everything that makes them such formidable title contenders this season. After a sluggish start that saw Leicester take a shock early lead, the Reds responded with control and conviction. Cody Gakpo’s equaliser before half-time steadied the ship, Curtis Jones added a tidy finish to make it 2–1, and Mohamed Salah sealed the victory late on with a typically composed strike. It wasn’t just a win, it was a statement of intent.

What made the performance stand out was Liverpool’s composure under pressure. They didn’t panic after conceding early; they simply raised their tempo, pinned Leicester back, and waited for their quality to shine through. The midfield trio dominated possession, the defence settled quickly after the early scare, and Anfield’s roar seemed to grow louder with each passing minute. By the final whistle, the sense was clear: this was a team not just playing well, but believing in its own inevitability.

The win opened up a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League, a massive cushion heading into the New Year, especially with rivals dropping points. Under Arne Slot, Liverpool have shown not only tactical clarity but also mental resilience, a hallmark of true champions. In a festive period notorious for slip-ups and fatigue, Liverpool’s consistency is beginning to feel like their biggest weapon.

Forest Rise, Spurs Slip

Nottingham Forest’s 1–0 win over Tottenham on Boxing Day was one of those results that make the league so captivating. Anthony Elanga’s first-half strike was enough to settle it, but the real story was Forest’s maturity and control against one of the division’s established heavyweights. Spurs, who were reduced to ten men after Djed Spence’s dismissal, never truly recovered, and Forest took full advantage with discipline, structure, and a fearless attitude.

For Forest, the victory wasn’t just about three points. It propelled them into third place, an astonishing position for a club many had tipped to battle mid-table mediocrity. It’s the culmination of weeks of steady improvement, with a clear tactical identity and growing confidence throughout the side. Their defensive solidity, combined with quick counterattacking transitions, has made them one of the most awkward teams to face this season.

Tottenham, on the other hand, looked disjointed and frustrated. Their attacking play lacked fluency, and the red card only amplified their struggles. It’s been a stop-start campaign for them, flashes of brilliance one week, inconsistency the next. Losing to Forest, particularly in a period when points are at a premium, will sting. But for Forest, this was another reminder that they’re no longer the underdogs; they’re in the fight on merit.

Capital Clashes

Chelsea’s 2–1 defeat to Fulham at Stamford Bridge was as painful as it was revealing. Leading early and seemingly comfortable, the Blues somehow contrived to let the game slip away, with Fulham snatching a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time. It was a result that exposed familiar flaws, lapses in concentration, defensive uncertainty, and a lack of killer instinct when it mattered most. For a side with title ambitions, these are the moments that can derail a season.

The result leaves Chelsea facing questions about squad depth and mental toughness during the busiest period of the year. The festive schedule tests every team’s resilience, but the top sides find ways to grind out wins even when performances dip. Chelsea, by contrast, looked stretched and short of ideas once Fulham pushed back. Their inability to close games out could prove costly in a tight title race where every point matters.

Meanwhile, Arsenal quietly took advantage. A narrow 1–0 victory over Ipswich wasn’t glamorous, but it was enough to move them into second place. Kai Havertz’s goal settled the tie, and while the performance was far from fluid, it showed a side capable of winning ugly. With Bukayo Saka side-lined through injury, Arsenal had to rely on patience and defensive organisation rather than flair. It wasn’t spectacular, but it was professional, and in a long campaign, that counts for plenty.

Taken together, these two results painted a clear picture: while Liverpool continue to surge ahead, their challengers are beginning to stumble. Chelsea look fragile, Arsenal efficient but cautious, and both will need to find another gear soon if they’re to stop Liverpool from running away with it.

Game of the week: Chelsea 1-2 Fulham With goals coming in the 82nd and 95th minute, the clash turned on its head as Fulham completed their comeback against Chelsea. With these 2 strikes cancelling out Palmers early finish, it meant that Fulham could go into the new year full of confidence.

Player of the week: Joelinton With a dramatic and feisty clash at St James’, Joelinton bagged a goal and assist to give his side a big 3 points against a tough opposition in Villa, and a boost for the new year as both teams jostle for European qualification places.