The penultimate week of the season saw things almost fully wrapped up, and teams resigned to their fate, with only a handful of clubs actually able to make a move up or down the table on the final day. With the 2 Europa League sides bringing games forward, the weekend left some teams on edge as they hoped that results elsewhere might impact their European qualification amibitions.

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.

Champions League

With Liverpool having already sealed the Premier League title, all attention turned to the fierce battle behind them, the fight for the Champions League and top-five places. Week 37 was pivotal. Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Newcastle at the Emirates, courtesy of a Declan Rice strike, all but secured their spot in Europe’s top competition. That result kept Mikel Arteta’s side firmly in second and ensured that, at the very least, they’d be back among Europe’s elite next season.

Elsewhere, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Aston Villa all remained in contention for the remaining Champions League slots. The table at the end of the weekend painted a picture of intense competition, with just a handful of points separating the chasing pack. Each fixture felt like a mini-final, every goal, card, or substitution could alter the European equation heading into the final day.

This week wasn’t just about winning; it was about momentum. Teams that managed to collect three points carried confidence and rhythm into the season’s finale, while those who faltered faced a nervy wait and a host of mathematical permutations. Week 37 reminded fans of why the Premier League is loved worldwide, its unpredictability and the emotional swings it delivers right until the very end.

Europe’s Finest?

Friday night set the tone for a weekend full of drama. Chelsea edged past Manchester United 1-0 at Stamford Bridge, with Marc Cucurella popping up unexpectedly to score the decisive goal. It wasn’t a vintage performance, but it was exactly what Maresca’s men needed to stay within touching distance of the Champions League places. The result also deepened the gloom for Ruben Amorim’s United, who struggled to create meaningful chances and once again looked short of identity and belief.

At Villa Park, Aston Villa produced a mature, controlled display to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0. Goals from Jacob Ramsey and Ollie Watkins ensured Unai Emery’s men remained firmly in the European conversation. Villa’s win showcased their balance, compact defensively, clinical on the counter, and utterly focused on the job at hand. Tottenham, meanwhile, continued their inconsistent league form, raising fresh questions about squad depth and mentality despite an upcoming European final.

Week 37 was the ultimate litmus test for teams under pressure. Chelsea and Villa showed steel when it mattered most, while Tottenham and United wilted at key moments. The contrast between these sides highlighted the fine margins at the elite level — where confidence and cohesion often make the difference between success and regret.

Final Push

Beyond the results, scheduling became one of the week’s major talking points. Tottenham’s fixture with Aston Villa was moved forward to Friday night to allow Ange Postecoglou’s side extra preparation time for their upcoming Europa League final. The adjustment sparked debate among fans and pundits about competitive fairness, as other teams in the race for Europe played later in the weekend.

The timing of games in the run-in often shapes how managers approach them. For Spurs, it was a balancing act, managing player fatigue, avoiding injuries, and trying to maintain focus on both competitions. For Villa, the early fixture presented an opportunity to apply pressure on their rivals by putting points on the board first. The psychological weight of seeing another team win before you play can’t be understated, especially when the table is so tight.

Week 37 was a reminder that fixture congestion and scheduling quirks can be as decisive as any tactical plan. In a season where clubs juggle domestic and European ambitions, every extra day of rest or recovery counts. As the league hurtled toward its conclusion, this subtle but crucial factor shaped both preparation and performance, and could yet define who finishes the campaign celebrating and who falls short.

Game of the week: Brighton 3-2 Liverpool Although Liverpool are well deserved in taking a foot off the pedal, this game still offered a back and forth that proved entertaining for the neutral, and certainly for Brighton as they came from behind twice to win late on against the champions.

Player of the week: Eddie Nketiah After their FA Cup triumph, a return to Selhurst Park had the crowd fully up for the clash with Wolves, and with rotation in their attacking line, Nketiah made the most of it, bagging 2 of Palace’s 4 goals to make an evening to remember for Palace fans who continued to celebrate.