Premier League week 16 brings us closer to the festive period as the football piles up, and teams begin preparations for a busy schedule, dealing with AFCON departures and the looming January window which will certainly see some big movement across the league. With the league still tightly packed at this point, a single point can turn a negative outlook to positive, and ultimately keeps everyone within touching distance in the key battles through 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.

Breathless Battle

Monday night at Old Trafford produced one of those matches that leaves everyone slightly stunned at the final whistle. Manchester United and Bournemouth played out a breathless 4–4 draw that felt less like a league fixture and more like a chaotic cup tie. United were ahead three separate times, scoring through Amad Diallo, Casemiro and Matheus Cunha, yet each time Bournemouth found a way back. When teenage substitute Eli Junior Kroupi smashed home the late equaliser, it capped a game that simply refused to slow down.

For United, the match summed up their season so far: thrilling going forward, alarmingly open at the back. Ruben Amorim’s side moved the ball with pace and purpose, and at times looked capable of blowing Bournemouth away. But defensive concentration was repeatedly lost, particularly in transition, allowing the visitors to exploit space and keep themselves alive. It was a performance that entertained, but also reignited debate around whether United can realistically push for Champions League places without tightening up defensively.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, will view this as a point gained rather than two dropped. Few teams come to Old Trafford and score four, let alone show the mental strength to keep responding after falling behind again and again. Their belief, energy and willingness to play on the front foot epitomised why they’ve become one of the league’s most awkward opponents. For the neutral, it was pure Premier League theatre, chaotic, flawed and utterly compelling.

Wearside Winners

Derby days rarely need extra motivation, but Sunderland’s 1–0 win over Newcastle United had everything that makes the Tyne–Wear rivalry so special. Played at a fever-pitch Stadium of Light, the match was tense, scrappy and emotionally charged, exactly as a derby should be. The decisive moment came via a cruel twist for Newcastle, as an own goal proved enough to separate the sides and send the home crowd into raptures.

From that point on, it became a battle of nerve and resilience. Sunderland dug in with discipline and intensity, throwing bodies in the way of shots and feeding off the energy from the stands. Newcastle enjoyed more of the ball but struggled to turn possession into clear chances, repeatedly frustrated by Sunderland’s compact shape and relentless work rate. Every tackle was cheered, every clearance celebrated like a goal.

For Sunderland, this was a victory that will live long in the memory. Beyond the bragging rights, it represented belief and momentum for a side looking to establish themselves in the division. Beating their biggest rivals gave the players confidence and the supporters a moment to savour deep into the winter. For Newcastle, it was a painful reminder that form and league position often mean nothing once a derby kicks off, and that these matches can hinge on the smallest, cruellest of margins.

A Statement Win

If there was a shock that turned heads across the league, it came at the City Ground. Nottingham Forest dismantled Tottenham Hotspur 3–0, delivering their most complete performance of the season. Callum Hudson-Odoi was electric, scoring twice and terrorising Spurs’ defence, while the third goal crowned a dominant display that had the home crowd bouncing long before full time.

Forest were aggressive, organised and ruthless, everything Tottenham were not. From the opening minutes, they pressed high, won second balls and attacked with conviction. Spurs, by contrast, looked fragile and unsure, undone by defensive errors and a lack of cutting edge in attack. By the time the third goal went in, the outcome felt inevitable, with Forest fully in control and Tottenham seemingly out of answers.

For Forest, this was more than just three points. It was a statement of belief and a reward for recent improvement, lifting them clear of immediate danger and giving supporters renewed optimism heading into Christmas. For Tottenham, the questions are growing louder. Inconsistency, defensive vulnerability and a shortage of goals have left their season drifting, and this defeat felt like a low point. On a weekend full of drama, Forest’s emphatic win stood out as a reminder that in the Premier League, momentum can swing suddenly, and brutally.

Game of the week: Manchester United 4-4 Bournemouth After a full weekend of action, Monday night delivered an 8-goal thriller between two sides looking to prove their quality. United had full control of the first half, and Bournemouth the second. With neither side shutting up shop, it provided us with a breathless encounter between two unpredictable sides.

Player of the week: Callum Hudson-Odoi With Forest producing a solid performance against Spurs, Hudson-Odoi was a key player in the win, bagging a brace and assist in his efforts, while being a consistent thorn in the side of a struggling Spurs back-line. With the World Cup on the horizon, this could mark the start of a late push for a place on the plane.