Premier League week 26 saw a round of mid-week action, with some big results and clashes that could impact both ends of the table. With Arsenal dropping 2 points to the chasing City, there were also dropped points in the European battle, and some big results in the relegation scrap that could prove pivotal in the closing stages of the season.

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 Back On?

Matchweek 26 brought one of the most compelling twists in this season’s title fight. Arsenal, who had looked poised to run away with the Premier League, were held to a 1–1 draw by Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. The game wasn’t vintage Arsenal, although they created chances, they lacked the cutting edge we’ve grown accustomed to. Noni Madueke gave Mikel Arteta’s side the lead in the second half, only for Keane Lewis-Potter to nod Brentford level soon after. The draw means Arsenal’s lead at the top, once a nervy yet comfortable nine points, now stands at just four with Manchester City closing in fast.

For Arsenal fans, this result felt like a missed opportunity more than a disaster. Just a few weeks ago, pundits were talking about a potential double-digit lead; now, every slip feels magnified, and rightly so. Brentford, by contrast, will feel slightly aggrieved not to have taken all three points having created the better chances late on, with goalkeeper David Raya making several important saves to keep the Gunners at bay.

Arsenal’s point haul still leaves them comfortably in first, but this is the sort of result that can have psychological consequences long after the final whistle. Arteta’s men will need to regroup quickly, and their looming fixtures against Wolves and Tottenham won’t give them much time to lick their wounds. For neutrals, however, it has added fresh intrigue to what was becoming a one-horse race, reminding everyone that every point matters at this stage of the season.

City’s response, a commanding 3–0 victory over Fulham, only amplified the sense that momentum could be swinging. With Erling Haaland among the scorers and new signing Antoine Semenyo impressing, Pep Guardiola’s side now smell blood. Arsenal’s slight stumble has opened the door, and City have shown they’re ready to stride through it.

Burnley’s Survival Hopes

In the midst of all the title-race drama, down at the other end of the table Burnley produced one of the most talked-about performances of Gameweek 26. Facing Crystal Palace, the Clarets looked beaten early, two goals down and seemingly out of ideas. But Burnley have that trademark grit, and rather than fold, they clawed their way back to secure a dramatic 3–2 victory. Goals came in quick succession, and by the end it was Burnley celebrating in front of their travelling fans.

This wasn’t just a morale-boosting win; it was a genuine lifeline in the relegation battle. With Burnley rooted to the bottom of the table, every point is precious, and being able to fight back like this speaks volumes about Vincent Kompany’s impact on the squad. Teams down there often struggle to show resilience, but Burnley showed character and belief to turn around what looked a lost cause at half-time.

That said, Burnley’s task remains incredibly tough. They still sit deep in the drop zone with only 18 points from 26 games, and their goal difference is among the worst in the league. But wins like this can be galvanising, and if they can replicate this intensity in the coming weeks they might just give themselves a fighting chance. Palace, meanwhile, will be left frustrated, not by the loss, but by squandering a lead that should have been comfortably defended.

For neutrals, this bout encapsulated everything great about the Premier League: unpredictability, drama, and the knowledge that even the smallest clubs can produce moments of real magic. Burnley’s fans will remember this one for years.

Mid-Table Congestion

Away from the spotlight on the title race and survival fight, Matchweek 26 underlined just how tightly packed the midtable has become. There were plenty of draws, Chelsea 2–2 Leeds and Nottingham Forest 0–0 Wolves, while West Ham and Manchester United shared a point in a 1–1 draw. Across these fixtures, you could see teams fighting for position but struggling to find definitive moments to change games.

These results have kept the pack bunched together between 6th and 12th: Chelsea, Liverpool, Brentford, Everton and Bournemouth are all separated by only a handful of points. It’s the kind of congestion that makes the run-in fascinating, as a single result can leapfrog a team several places overnight. For managers, it’s a balancing act, risk going for three points and losing; settle for one point and risk falling behind.

Take Chelsea’s draw with Leeds, for instance. A match that looked like it could break either way ended up as a stalemate, highlighting just how competitive games have become in this middle pack. Teams are tactically tighter, defences are better organised, and goals are harder to come by than they might have been earlier in the season.

This midtable squeeze adds another layer of interest to the Premier League narrative. With European qualification and even relegation outside the bottom three still in play, every remaining match feels like a finals series. As the season edges closer to its conclusion, this congested pack will be worth watching as closely as the battle at the top.

Game of the week: Crystal Palace 2-3 Burnley With Palace in a poor period in 2026, the clash with 19th placed Burnley wouldn’t scream out as a game of the week contender, but with 5 goals inside of the first half, Palace threw away their 2-0 lead to go in 3-2 down at the break. A big result that further damages Palace’s confidence, while giving Burnley a hope of a late survival chance.

Player of the week: Antoine Semenyo While only arriving at City a few weeks ago, Semenyo has made a real name for himself, as he bagged another goal and assist in their comfortable win over Fulham, which after Arsenal’s result, looks even more important. With 5 goals and 2 assists to his name in just 8 outings for his new side, this is Semenyo at his best, and could prove to be a difference maker come the final run-in.