Premier League week 27 sees us getting ever-closer to the final run-in stage where things will really heat up. With all key positions and standings still up for grabs, this round of fixtures helped Arsenal restore their confidence at the top of the table despite City’s pressure. It also saw Manchester United take a lead in the race for the Champions League spots, while Chelsea and Liverpool look to be battling to the finish. At the bottom of the table, there was also a small shift in momentum as 2/3 sides in the drop zone picked up a point, while those in the pack looking to escape all struggled and fell to a defeat.

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

Week 27 felt like a pivotal chapter in the 2025–26 title story. Arsenal and Manchester City both emerged victorious, but it was the statement nature of their performances that truly resonated. With the calendar turning toward March and margins razor-thin, every weekend now carries the emotional weight of a cup final. This one only intensified the sense that we are watching a heavyweight duel unfold in real time.

Arsenal’s emphatic 4–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur was as much about authority as it was about points. North London derbies are rarely straightforward, yet the league leaders approached it with clarity and conviction. Their pressing was coordinated, their attacking movement sharp, and their finishing clinical. It wasn’t just a win, it was a reminder that this Arsenal side has matured. They didn’t get caught up in the chaos of the occasion; they controlled it.

City, meanwhile, responded in typically efficient fashion with a 2–1 victory over Newcastle United. It wasn’t a dazzling, free-flowing display, but it was controlled and professional, hallmarks of a side that has navigated title run-ins before. They absorbed pressure when necessary and struck with precision when openings appeared. The feeling around the Etihad is familiar: they are lurking, calculating, waiting to pounce on any slip.

The bigger narrative is psychological. Arsenal are trying to prove they can finish the job; City are trying to remind everyone they’ve built a dynasty on doing exactly that. Week 27 didn’t separate them, it bound them tighter together. The tension is building, and neither side looks ready to blink.

Top 4 Battles

While the spotlight naturally drifted toward the summit, Manchester United quietly delivered one of the weekend’s most significant results. Their 1–0 win away at Everton might not dominate highlight reels, but in the context of the top-four race, it was enormous. These are the types of fixtures that can derail momentum, hostile atmosphere, physical battle, fine margins, and United negotiated it with composure.

The match itself was gritty rather than glamorous. Everton pressed aggressively and made space scarce, turning the contest into a scrap. United, however, showed patience. They didn’t force the issue or overcommit. Instead, they trusted their structure and waited for the decisive moment. When it arrived, they were clinical. In tight races for Champions League spots, that ability to edge uncomfortable games can be priceless.

There’s also a growing sense of cohesion about United. Defensive organization looks sharper, midfield responsibilities clearer, and the squad as a whole more balanced. Contributions are coming from multiple areas rather than one talismanic source, which makes them less predictable and more sustainable over the long run. It feels less like a purple patch and more like a team settling into its identity.

Week 27 may not have guaranteed anything, but it strengthened the belief that United’s top-four ambitions are real. With rivals dropping points and the table tightening, this was a win that could loom large come May, the kind that doesn’t shout, but echoes.

Late Drama

Beyond the battles at the top, week 27 reinforced how volatile the rest of the league has become. The recurring theme was late drama, matches twisting in stoppage time, defensive lapses proving costly, and teams struggling to manage momentum. As the pressure intensifies, control is becoming harder to maintain.

Liverpool once again demonstrated their flair for the dramatic with a stoppage-time winner that sparked wild celebrations. It was the sort of moment that can galvanize a dressing room and deflate an opponent in equal measure. Liverpool’s refusal to accept draws, their relentless push until the final whistle, has become a defining trait of their campaign.

At the other end of the emotional spectrum, Chelsea continue to wrestle with inconsistency. Dropping points from promising positions has become an unwelcome habit, and defensive fragility remains a glaring concern. There is attacking quality in the squad, but without the composure to close out games, that quality risks being undermined.

Taken together, week 27 underlined the league’s unpredictability. Relegation-threatened sides are fighting with desperation, European hopefuls are chasing every possible point, and nerves are beginning to fray. It’s messy, breathless and compelling, the kind of February football that sets up a thrilling run-in.

Game of the week: Tottenham Hotspur 1-4 Arsenal While most would have expected an Arsenal win, there was a feeling like Spurs could have a say in this title race in the North London derby, with a new temporary manager at the helm, and with Arsenal showing frailties. However, the dominant display from the visitors meant they could take complete control in the game despite Tottenham’s quick response to the opening goal.

Player of the week: Nico O’Reilly With Pep working his magic on the playing style of another young talent, O’Reilly seems willing to play in just about any role, having been utilised mainly as a left-back, his more advanced position allowed him to bag a brace and produce a solid display as City kept pace with Arsenal in the title race.