Just days after the drama ended in week 5, week 6 of Premier League football saw yet more action and huge talking points. With Manchester City settling for another draw, Arsenal picked up a morale boosting win, while Liverpool keep picking up points. Meanwhile, Manchester United look to be in a real mess, the promoted sides are struggling and Cole Palmer was in record breaking form.

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.

Palmer Masterclass

Cole Palmer produced one of the most breath-taking individual performances of the season as Chelsea swept aside Brighton in a chaotic but thrilling match at Stamford Bridge. After Brighton grabbed an early lead, Palmer responded with a flurry of goals that stunned both sets of supporters. Scoring four times before half-time, a Premier League first, he delivered a showcase of finishing that swung from instinctive poaching to composed, technically brilliant strikes.

What made the display even more remarkable was the variety. A simple close-range finish, a confident penalty, a beautifully curled free-kick, and a smart, composed effort from open play, it was a complete forward’s package. Brighton’s high defensive line seemed tailor-made for his movement between the lines, and Chelsea took full advantage of the space behind the Seagulls’ back four.

Chelsea’s overall fluidity in attack also stood out. With the likes of Nicolas Jackson and Jadon Sancho supporting him, Palmer found pockets of space almost at will, constantly pulling Brighton’s structure apart. Even after the frantic first half, Chelsea continued to create chances, with Palmer nearly adding a fifth before being substituted to a standing ovation.

Beyond the goals and the headlines, the match cemented Palmer’s role as a genuine leader of Chelsea’s attacking unit. He looks less like a promising young talent and more like the heartbeat of a team aiming to re-establish themselves among the league’s elite. His confidence, creativity and decision-making are beginning to define Chelsea’s identity this season.

Arsenal Leave It Late

Arsenal’s dramatic 4–2 win over Leicester was the kind of rollercoaster performance that keeps title-chasing teams grounded. The Gunners appeared to be cruising early on, playing slick, confident football as Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring and later turned provider for Leandro Trossard. At 2–0, the Emirates felt relaxed, almost too relaxed.

Leicester, however, had other plans. A spirited second-half fightback saw James Justin strike twice, energising the visitors and shifting the mood entirely. Suddenly Arsenal’s defensive composure wobbled, and the control they’d shown earlier evaporated. For a brief spell, the game felt like it was slipping away, and the frustration in the stands was palpable.

But if Arsenal have developed anything under Mikel Arteta, it’s resilience. They kept pushing, and in stoppage time, their persistence paid off when a dangerous corner resulted in an own goal that restored their lead. The relief was enormous, and before Leicester could regroup, Kai Havertz added a late fourth, sealing a win that looked unlikely just minutes earlier.

This match was a reminder that Arsenal aren’t simply about possession and pretty patterns. They can scrap. They can shake off mistakes. And they can win when discipline wavers. For a team with title aspirations, these chaotic but gritty victories might end up being just as important as the polished ones.

Liverpool Top The Table

Liverpool’s 2–1 victory over Wolves wasn’t the most fluid or dominant performance they’ve produced this season, but it was arguably one of the most telling. Playing away at Molineux is rarely straightforward, and Liverpool needed to rely on set pieces, individual moments and a fair amount of composure to get the job done. Ibrahima Konaté’s well-placed header just before half-time set the tone, marking his first Premier League goal.

Wolves responded with energy and an equaliser that exposed defensive hesitation from the visitors. But Liverpool’s answer was swift: a driving run from Diogo Jota drew a foul, and Mohamed Salah stepped up to dispatch the penalty with his usual calm authority. It wasn’t a goal built through flowing play, but it was enough to wrestle back control at a crucial stage.

The performance wasn’t spotless. At times Liverpool looked open, slightly disjointed, and a step slower than usual in transition. Wolves exploited gaps well and forced Liverpool into uncomfortable situations. Still, the visitors managed their lead intelligently in the final stages, showing maturity and organisation even when the match felt stretched.

What mattered most, though, was the outcome: the three points pushed Liverpool to the top of the Premier League table after six games. Even more encouraging for fans was the sense that they can win without being at their sparkling best. Under Arne Slot, Liverpool look adaptable, a team capable of grinding out narrow results as well as blowing opponents away. Those are the hallmarks of genuine title contenders.

Game of the week: Chelsea 4-2 Brighton & Hove Albion With 6 goals inside of the first 41 minutes, it was record breaking for Palmer as he bagged 4 first half goals. While the second 45 didn’t add much more to the drama, the hectic nature of the opening period made this a must watch game from the last week.

Player of the week: Cole Palmer 4 goals inside of 20 minutes and Cole Palmer looked unplayable. While Chelsea fell behind early, Palmer’s efforts made light work of their opponents as they cruised to victory taking the foot of the gas in the second half.