With 3 games remaining, a lot of the final standings are all-but confirmed, and only a small number of teams are genuinely in contention to improve or save their seasons. That said, the 10 games played in week 35 still provided a level of excitement and drama which is a testament to the efforts of these sides in spite of the lack of progress they can make up 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.

Bournemouth Win

Arsenal’s title and top-four ambitions took another heavy blow at the Emirates as Bournemouth produced one of the shocks of the season. It all started brightly for Mikel Arteta’s men, Declan Rice’s early strike settled nerves and suggested a comfortable afternoon ahead. Yet the Gunners’ familiar Achilles heel re-emerged: control without conviction. Once again, they failed to convert dominance into points, and Bournemouth sensed vulnerability. In the second half, Dean Huijsen’s equaliser from a corner silenced the home crowd, before Evanilson pounced late to seal a 2-1 comeback victory that sent the away fans into delirium.

For Bournemouth, this was no smash-and-grab. Andoni Iraola’s side were brave on the ball and well-organised off it, pressing high and countering with real intent. Their win not only lifted them into contention for European football but also marked their first ever league double over Arsenal, a milestone moment in the club’s Premier League history. The Cherries have quietly become one of the division’s most tactically adaptable teams, and this result was proof of their growing maturity.

For Arsenal, the inquest is far from over. This was the 21st point they’ve dropped from winning positions this season, an alarming statistic that has frustrated supporters and raised questions about the team’s mentality. Arteta’s rotation decisions, with one eye on their European semi-final, will come under scrutiny too. With Newcastle and Aston Villa surging, Arsenal now face the prospect of missing out on Champions League qualification unless they rediscover composure in the run-in.

In truth, this felt like more than a single bad day at the office. It was a microcosm of Arsenal’s entire campaign, moments of brilliance undone by lapses of concentration and a lack of killer instinct. For a side built to challenge at the very top, that’s a painful reality.

Howe’s In Control

​Eddie Howe has never been afraid to innovate, but his Week 35 tactical switch might prove to be one of his smartest moves yet. Facing Chelsea in a must-win clash, Newcastle lined up in an asymmetric 3-4-3, morphing between shapes depending on whether they had the ball. The tweak allowed them to overload midfield while maintaining width, and the effect was immediate. Chelsea looked bewildered as Newcastle pressed high, controlled transitions, and dominated the game’s tempo in a convincing win that reignited their Champions League hopes.

Howe’s flexibility is becoming a defining feature of this Newcastle side. After months of injuries and patchy form, the Magpies have found stability through structural variety rather than stubborn consistency. The back three, led by the imperious Fabian Schär, gave them defensive security, while the wing-backs, notably Tino Livramento and Dan Burn, balanced attack and defence beautifully. It was intelligent football, the sort that wins you matches in May when fatigue and pressure are at their peak.

With other sides inconsistent, Newcastle suddenly find themselves in pole position to claim a top-four spot. The timing could not be better: momentum, confidence, and tactical clarity are all aligning. And perhaps most importantly, the players look liberated again. Bruno Guimarães and Alexander Isak thrived under the new shape, combining flair with efficiency.

This performance was more than just three points; it was a statement that Newcastle belong among the Premier League’s elite. Howe has crafted a side capable of adapting on the fly, a modern, sophisticated team that can win in more than one way. If they keep this up, Champions League football will return to St James’ Park once again.

Aston Villa Charge

Aston Villa’s European charge continues to gather pace, and at the heart of it all is a rejuvenated Youri Tielemans. The Belgian midfielder, who endured a mixed start to life under Unai Emery, has found his rhythm just when his team needed it most. In Week 35, Tielemans produced a midfield masterclass, dictating the tempo, breaking lines, and even scoring a rare header to help Villa secure another crucial win in their push for Europe. His confidence on the ball and tactical intelligence epitomise the control Emery demands from his players.

For Emery, Tielemans represents both a creative outlet and a symbol of Villa’s evolution. Gone are the days when Villa were a counter-attacking outfit reliant on Ollie Watkins’ pace. This team now builds play methodically, dominating possession through intelligent movement and crisp passing. Tielemans, operating alongside Douglas Luiz, gives them balance, part conductor, part enforcer. When Villa are at their best, it’s Tielemans who sets the rhythm, effortlessly switching play and keeping opponents chasing shadows.

This resurgence could not have come at a better time. With a congested European race, every performance matters, and Villa’s momentum has made them a genuine threat to the traditional top six. Emery’s meticulous coaching has fostered resilience, and players like Tielemans are flourishing under the responsibility. He looks like the player who once lit up the Premier League at Leicester, only now, he’s surrounded by a system that amplifies his strengths.

Tielemans’ renaissance is also a reminder of Villa’s growing ambition. Under Emery, they’ve moved from plucky underdogs to a polished, tactically disciplined side capable of controlling big games. If Tielemans continues at this level, Villa’s European dream could easily become a reality, and few would argue they don’t deserve it.

Game of the week: Brentford 4-3 Manchester United While neither side have anything to play for in a domestic sense, and United certainly have their eyes on other things with the Europa League still a realistic saviour to their disaster of a season, this game provided plenty of excitement, with a 7 goal back and forth clash in which the visitors almost stages an impressive comeback late on.

Player of the week: Kevin Schade Amid the impressive individual talents at Brentford, one that potentially goes under the radar is 23 year old German Schade, who bagged an impressive brace and solid performance as he put his side ahead against the visiting Manchester United. While United pushed for a late comeback after Schade was withdrawn, ultimately his earlier efforts made this into a solid win and a strong individual display.