After plenty of mid-week drama, we returned to usual proceedings of weekend Premier League action, and it certainly delivered once again. With huge shifts in momentum from top to bottom in the table, there are signs of how the season will play out, but still with an unpredictable and uneasy feeling for many sides as the midway point nears.

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.

Title Race Shift

The headline act on Saturday came from Villa Park, where Aston Villa delivered a dramatic and potentially season-defining blow to Arsenal’s title charge. Arsenal arrived unbeaten in 18 matches in all competitions, but Villa matched them stride for stride, full of energy, aggression, and belief. Matty Cash’s first-half opener got Villa Park rocking, and even after Arsenal levelled through Leandro Trossard early in the second half, the momentum never truly left the home side.

The match built to a tense crescendo, with both teams pushing for a winner as the minutes ticked away. Just when it seemed destined for a draw, Emiliano Buendía, lively and inventive since coming on, reacted quickest in a frantic stoppage-time scramble to fire home the decisive goal. The stadium erupted. It was the kind of late, emotional moment that feeds the belief of teams chasing big ambitions.

For Arsenal, the defeat couldn’t have come at a worse moment. Their lead at the top was immediately cut later in the day by Manchester City, who comfortably won their match. Questions will be raised about Arsenal’s defensive concentration in key moments, especially amid their growing list of injuries. Mikel Arteta now faces the challenge of refocusing his squad as the festive calendar approaches.

Villa, meanwhile, are flying. Nine wins in ten league games tell the story of a team oozing confidence, organisation, and attacking flair. Their late winner didn’t just lift them; it reshaped the entire title picture. What once looked like Arsenal’s serene march is now a tightly packed race with Villa very much in the conversation.

Liverpool Collapse

Liverpool’s trip to Elland Road was dramatic for very different reasons. After a quiet first half, the second exploded into life with Liverpool racing into a 2–0 lead thanks to a sharp brace from Hugo Ekitike. At that point, it looked as though Liverpool might be settling into some rhythm after a turbulent patch of form. But Leeds, battling fiercely near the bottom of the table, refused to roll over.

Within minutes, Leeds clawed their way back to 2–2 through a Dominic Calvert-Lewin penalty and a cool finish from Anton Stach. Liverpool were stunned but managed to regain the lead late on through Dominik Szoboszlai. Even then, with the clock winding down, there was a sense of unease, a worry that Liverpool’s recurring late-game fragility might surface again.

And surface it did. Deep into stoppage time, Leeds substitute Ao Tanaka struck a dramatic equaliser, sending Elland Road into chaos and leaving Liverpool exasperated. It was another example of Liverpool losing control in key moments, something that has plagued them repeatedly this season. Managing leads and maintaining concentration remain major issues for Arne Slot’s men.

Adding fuel to the fire were the off-pitch rumblings. Mohamed Salah’s recent public criticism of the club, coupled with his benching for this match, fed the narrative of internal discord. Liverpool showed attacking promise, but the defensive lapses and emotional tension around the squad created a cloud that supporters have grown increasingly anxious about. For Leeds, though, the point felt like a victory in their relegation fight.

Momentum

Beyond the drama in Birmingham and Leeds, Saturday’s results carried significant weight across the table. Manchester City, ever alert to Arsenal’s slip-ups, delivered a professional and commanding performance to beat Sunderland 3–0. With clinical finishing and controlled possession, City reminded everyone why they are perennial challengers. Their win sliced Arsenal’s lead, tightening the title race considerably.

Chelsea, on the other hand, endured another frustrating outing as they were held to a goalless draw by Bournemouth. For a team hoping to edge upwards into the European mix, the lack of cutting edge was a familiar frustration. The performance reignited concerns around creativity and finishing in Mauricio Pochettino’s side. Bournemouth, meanwhile, were more than content to absorb pressure and walk away with a point.

Elsewhere, Everton produced a convincing 3–0 win that suggested they might finally be finding some consistency after a rollercoaster start to the season. Newcastle also picked up a tidy 2–1 victory to keep themselves within touching distance of the European places, while Spurs quietly handled business to remain securely positioned near the top.

Taken together, Saturday felt like a pivot point in the campaign. Title momentum shifted, mid-table dynamics tightened, and the relegation fight gained fresh intrigue. With the festive fixtures looming, a period where the league can change rapidly, teams will feel the pressure mounting. Supporters, meanwhile, have the delicious prospect of a wide-open Premier League season.

Game of the week: Leeds United 3-3 Liverpool After a solid win midweek for Leeds, they produced a stunning comeback to draw with Liverpool. While Liverpool’s struggles have been well documented, this one might be the moment where big changes are made following Salah’s comments. Meanwhile, Leeds might be picking up enough early points to see them safe, but there’s a long way to go yet.

Player of the week: Xavi Simons While it’s taking time for Simons to shine at Spurs, these kind of performances show glimpses of what many fans know he is capable of. With a goal and assist, he led his side to a much-needed win over Thomas Frank’s former side.