Manchester is red. Honestly, if you’d told me a month ago that Michael Carrick would be standing on the Old Trafford touchline celebrating a 2-0 win over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, I’d have probably asked for a sip of whatever you were drinking. But that is exactly what happened this Saturday. The english premier league fixtures for this weekend have been absolutely chaotic, starting with a Manchester Derby that felt less like a tactical chess match and more like a statement of intent from a club that’s been in the doldrums for far too long.
Carrick’s debut was the headline. Obviously.
But while everyone is talking about Bryan Mbeumo's opening goal and the way United stifled Erling Haaland, there is a whole lot more going on across the country. We’ve seen Arsenal stumble, Spurs fall apart at home, and Liverpool drop points to a team fighting for their lives. The league table is a mess—the good kind of mess that makes January football the best in the world.
The Manchester Derby Shocker and Saturday’s Fallout
Manchester United didn't just win; they looked comfortable. That’s the scary part for City fans. With goals from Mbeumo and a revitalized midfield, United took the three points and pushed themselves into 5th place. Pep looked frustrated. He should be. City are now seven points off the top, and while Arsenal also dropped points in a boring 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest, City failed to capitalize.
Arsenal are still sitting pretty at the top with 50 points, but that "niggle" Mikel Arteta mentioned regarding Bukayo Saka is going to keep Gooners up at night. Saka came off the bench but couldn't break the deadlock at the City Ground. Matz Sels was a wall.
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Saturday’s Scoreline Rundown:
- Manchester United 2-0 Manchester City: Carrick's era begins with a bang.
- Chelsea 2-0 Brentford: Joao Pedro finds the net; the Blues look steady under the radar.
- Tottenham 1-2 West Ham: Spurs were dejected. Micky van de Ven’s face at the whistle said it all. Callum Wilson and Crysencio Summerville did the damage for the Hammers.
- Liverpool 1-1 Burnley: A massive frustration for Arne Slot. Liverpool are 4th and losing touch with the leading pack.
- Leeds 1-0 Fulham: A gritty win for the Peacocks.
- Sunderland 2-1 Crystal Palace: The Black Cats are actually 8th in the table right now. Let that sink in.
It's kinda wild to see Sunderland sitting above the likes of Tottenham and Everton. They’ve got 33 points and are playing with a confidence that suggests their return to the top flight isn't just a cameo.
Looking Ahead: The Sunday and Monday Slate
Just because the big derby is over doesn't mean the english premier league fixtures for this weekend are finished. We still have three massive games that could shift the European places and the relegation scrap.
First up on Sunday, we’ve got Wolves hosting Newcastle. Wolves are in a dark place. Dead last. One win all season. They desperately need something from the Magpies, but Eddie Howe’s Newcastle (sitting 9th) are looking to jump back into the top six conversation.
Then there’s the big one at Villa Park: Aston Villa vs. Everton.
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Villa are currently 3rd, level on points with Man City. If they beat Everton, they move to 46 points and solo second place. Unai Emery has turned that stadium into a fortress, but Everton are tricky. They’re sitting 12th, safe-ish for now, but Sean Dyche thrives on ruining a party.
Finally, the weekend wraps up on Monday night with Brighton facing Bournemouth. Bournemouth just sold Antoine Semenyo, their leading scorer, so Andoni Iraola has a massive tactical puzzle to solve on the South Coast.
Why the Table Looks So Weird Right Now
If you haven't looked at the standings lately, you're in for a shock. Arsenal have a significant lead, but the race for the Champions League spots is a total dogfight.
- Arsenal: 50 pts (22 games)
- Man City: 43 pts (22 games)
- Aston Villa: 43 pts (21 games)
- Liverpool: 36 pts (22 games)
- Man Utd: 35 pts (22 games)
Liverpool and United are breathing down each other's necks. Chelsea and Brentford are right there too. The fact that only 9 points separate 4th place from 14th place (Tottenham) tells you everything you need to know about the parity this season. One bad weekend—like the one Spurs just had—and you've dropped five spots.
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Injury News and Tactical Shifts
The Saka news is the big one. Arteta was vague, calling it a "niggle," but Arsenal without a fully fit Saka are a different team. They lacked that clinical edge against Forest.
Over at Crystal Palace, Jefferson Lerma made a comeback from a head injury, which is good news for a team that just lost to Sunderland. But they're still missing Marc Guehi. That absence is showing. Defensively, they look porous.
On the tactical side, keep an eye on how Newcastle sets up tomorrow. They've been inconsistent away from home. If Wolves can't get a result here, the pressure on their management might become unbearable. It’s basically do-or-die time for the Molineux faithful.
Actionable Insights for the Rest of the Weekend
If you’re following the rest of the english premier league fixtures for this weekend, keep your eyes on the Villa game. It’s the most consequential match left.
- Watch the Villa vs. Everton lineups: See if Watkins is fully recovered or if Emery rotates for fresh legs. A win here puts Villa in a genuine title race conversation, not just a "top four" one.
- Monitor the Brighton vs. Bournemouth attacking metrics: With Semenyo gone, see who Bournemouth relies on for transitions. This is a huge test for their recruitment strategy.
- Don't write off the relegation scrap: Wolves vs. Newcastle is a desperation match for the home side. Expect a high-card, high-intensity game.
The Premier League never sleeps, and after Carrick's stunning debut, the bar for drama has been set incredibly high. Make sure to catch the Sunday afternoon kick-offs to see if Aston Villa can actually become the primary challengers to Arsenal's throne.
Check the local TV listings for your region to catch the Sunday matches on USA Network or your respective broadcasters, as the battle for the top four intensifies.