Premier League Week 17 sees the final round of games before Christmas, and the first since the AFCON departures. With lots of tweaks and changes needed in many sides, the festive period threw out more drama and excitement for us to unwrap, and while we won’t be treated to the usual Boxing Day schedule, there’ still plenty more to come over the festive period.

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.

Christmas No.1

Arsenal’s narrow win away at Everton might not live long in the memory for its spectacle, but its significance could echo deep into the season. A coolly taken Viktor Gyökeres penalty proved decisive in a tense 1–0 victory, securing three precious points and sending the Gunners into Christmas at the top of the Premier League. In a weekend where margins were fine and pressure high, Arsenal did exactly what title contenders are supposed to do: win when it isn’t pretty.

The match itself was scrappy, physical and occasionally disjointed. Everton made life uncomfortable with aggressive pressing and direct play, especially in the second half, but Arsenal stood firm. Their defensive shape rarely collapsed, and the calm authority of their back line helped drain belief from the home crowd as the clock ticked down. It was a performance built on discipline rather than flair, and sometimes, those are the ones that matter most.

Gyökeres’ penalty was also notable on a personal level. After a brief dry spell, the striker showed no nerves from the spot, reinforcing his growing importance in Arsenal’s attack. While Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard remain the creative heartbeat, Gyökeres is increasingly the difference-maker in tight games, the kind that decide titles.

Being top at Christmas guarantees nothing, as Arsenal fans know all too well, but it does shift the psychological landscape. Rivals now chase rather than set the pace, and every slip from here on carries extra weight. Arsenal may not have dazzled at Goodison Park, but they left with exactly what they needed, belief, momentum and pole position.

Villa Win 10

Aston Villa’s rise from top-four hopefuls to genuine title disruptors gathered even more momentum with a superb 2–1 win over Manchester United at Villa Park. It was a performance full of confidence and intent, driven by Morgan Rogers, who struck twice and once again demonstrated why he’s become one of the season’s breakout stars. The roar inside Villa Park at full time said it all, this is a fanbase starting to believe.

Rogers’ goals were very different but equally impressive. The first was all about anticipation and composure, while the second, a curling effort into the top corner, was pure quality. United briefly threatened a response, equalising before the break, but Villa never lost control. Under Unai Emery, they look tactically sharp, emotionally resilient and supremely well-drilled.

What stood out most was Villa’s game management. They pressed when needed, dropped into shape when required, and limited United’s attacking rhythm for long spells. Every player seemed to understand their role, a hallmark of Emery’s coaching. This wasn’t a smash-and-grab result, it was earned through structure and belief.

For Manchester United, the defeat underlined ongoing inconsistency. Flashes of quality were undone by defensive lapses and a lack of cohesion, leaving them drifting away from the title conversation. For Villa, however, this felt bigger than just three points. Sitting just behind Arsenal and Manchester City, they are no longer a surprise package, they are a serious presence in the race.

Title Race Tightens

If Arsenal and Villa made statements, Manchester City quietly reminded everyone why they remain the benchmark. Their 3–0 victory over West Ham was controlled, ruthless and spearheaded by the inevitable Erling Haaland, who scored twice to continue his extraordinary scoring rate. For a few hours, City even sat top of the table, a reminder that they rarely stay out of the conversation for long.

Haaland’s goals came with his usual blend of power and precision, but his all-round influence was just as important. His movement dragged defenders out of position, creating space for runners from midfield, and City looked far more fluid as a result. Pep Guardiola’s side may not be firing at peak intensity every week, but their ability to turn games into routine victories remains frightening.

Elsewhere, Liverpool’s hard-fought win over Tottenham kept them in touch with the top four and hinted at a resurgence after an uneven start to the campaign. With Tottenham reduced to nine men, Liverpool showed patience and maturity to see the game out, a sign that their younger core is learning quickly. Points like these often define whether a season becomes something more.

Taken together, Week 17 tightened the league at both ends. Arsenal lead, City stalk, Villa chase, and others hover, waiting for slips. With the festive period notorious for surprise results and fatigue, the Premier League feels delicately poised. If this weekend proved anything, it’s that the title race is very much alive, and far from predictable.

Game of the week: Newcastle United 2-2 Chelsea Opening up the weekend of action, Newcastle looked in control after a hectic start, but 2 top quality goals for Chelsea saw points shared in a result that will both please and displease both sides.

Player of the week: Dominic Calvert-Lewin With Leeds claiming a dominant win over Palace, Calvert-Lewin featured heavily, bagging a brace and maintaining 100% in shot accuracy as the 3 points and solid performance have Leeds growing in confidence.