Week 27 saw plenty of high scoring clashes, and some big sides facing off with implications throughout the table. Liverpool look even more likely to be crowned champions as the weeks tick on, while the European places are showing to be an intriguing battle through to the end of the season.

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’s Lead

Liverpool’s 2–0 win over Newcastle United at Anfield felt like the weekend when the title race took a decisive turn. Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister gave Arne Slot’s side another commanding home performance, and by the time the final whistle blew, Liverpool had stretched their lead at the top of the Premier League table to a staggering 13 points. With Arsenal held to a draw elsewhere, the Reds suddenly looked untouchable.

What made this victory so significant wasn’t just the scoreline, but the control with which Liverpool managed the game. Even with several injuries still affecting squad depth, the intensity and structure of Slot’s team never faltered. Szoboszlai’s opener came from a fluid team move, the kind of crisp, confident football that has come to define Liverpool’s title charge this season. Mac Allister’s late strike merely confirmed what many already suspected: this team is operating on a level above the rest.

For supporters, the atmosphere at Anfield that night had a feeling of inevitability about it. Every pass, every tackle, every press was greeted with that familiar energy that comes when a club senses something special. Arne Slot remained calm afterward, reminding reporters that “there’s still football to be played,” but the writing on the wall was clear. Week 27 wasn’t just another win, it was the moment Liverpool effectively stamped their name on the 2024/25 Premier League trophy.

Challengers Falter

At the City Ground, Arsenal’s title ambitions hit a brick wall. A frustrating 0–0 draw against Nottingham Forest on the same evening that Liverpool won left Mikel Arteta’s side 13 points adrift, and it felt like a major opportunity missed. Arsenal dominated possession from the outset, carving out several half-chances, but lacked the ruthlessness that had defined their best performances earlier in the season.

Forest, compact and organised, frustrated the Gunners with a disciplined defensive display. Despite Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka both coming close, Arsenal couldn’t find the breakthrough. Riccardo Calafiori struck the post, and Martin Ødegaard’s influence was well contained by the hosts. By full time, Arsenal players looked deflated, not because of the draw itself, but because of what it represented. The title, once within sight, was suddenly fading from view.

Mikel Arteta tried to remain upbeat afterward, praising his team’s effort but acknowledging the lack of a finishing touch. Still, the reality was unavoidable: Liverpool’s relentless form means even small stumbles are magnified. This result didn’t end Arsenal’s season by any means, they remain in strong contention for a top-two finish, but it was a stark reminder that in a title chase, even one off night can have lasting consequences.

Battle For Europe

While Liverpool surged ahead and Arsenal stumbled, the race for the remaining Champions League places took centre stage. Manchester City, whose title challenge had all but evaporated, produced a hard-fought 1–0 win over Tottenham Hotspur thanks to a trademark Erling Haaland goal. The Norwegian’s clinical strike was his 20th of the season, marking the third consecutive year he’s hit that milestone, an astonishing record that reaffirmed his importance to Pep Guardiola’s side. The victory lifted City back into the top four and steadied nerves after an inconsistent spell.

Elsewhere, West Ham United enjoyed one of their best nights of the season, defeating Leicester City 2–0 at the London Stadium. The win was notable not only for its quality but also for its timing, it reignited the Hammers’ hopes of pushing into the European places. Leicester, meanwhile, continued to slide dangerously toward the relegation zone, compounding their struggles in recent weeks.

With Liverpool running away at the top, the battle below them is shaping up to be a thriller. City, Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Manchester United all remain in the mix for Champions League qualification, while West Ham and Chelsea are close enough to make things uncomfortable. Week 27 didn’t just separate the champions from the chasers, it reignited the scramble for Europe, where every goal, every clean sheet, and every scrap of form will count as the season heads into its final stretch.

Game of the week: Manchester United 3-2 Ipswich Town While Manchester United have very little to be fighting for in the league as things stand, Ipswich still have hopes of survival, and the dramatic clash at Old Trafford on Wednesday night provided plenty of excitement. With Ipswich taking an early lead, United turned things back into their favour before the red card from Dorgu saw both sides go into the break level. Maguire was the matchwinner shortly into the second half as United take a much needed win to boost morale and added to Ipswich’s struggles this season.

Player of the week: Jaden Philogene-Bidace While Ipswich took nothing away from their clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford, Jaden Philogene bagged a brace that will be remembered by the 23 year old for many years to come. Showing a strong display in his attacking play, the winger’s efforts should really have warranted at least a point, but it wasn’t to be.