If you thought the title race was a foregone conclusion, think again. This weekend in the Premier League didn't just provide a few goals; it basically threw the entire table into a blender. We’ve seen the heavy hitters wobble, a legend return to the dugout with a bang, and the relegation scrap get even messier.
Honestly, it’s been chaotic.
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The epl fixtures for weekend action kicked off with the biggest game of the lot: the Manchester Derby. But while most expected Pep Guardiola’s side to keep the pressure on Arsenal, Old Trafford had a different script written.
The Carrick Effect and a Derby Disaster for City
Michael Carrick. That’s the name on everyone’s lips right now. Taking over at Manchester United, he didn't just steady the ship; he capsized the neighbors' title ambitions. United’s 2-0 win over Manchester City on Saturday was clinical. Bryan Mbeumo—fresh back from AFCON—scored a beauty in the 65th minute, and Patrick Dorgu sealed it ten minutes later.
City looked... slow? It’s weird to say. Erling Haaland was a ghost. United moved up to fifth, and suddenly, the Champions League spots are looking very crowded.
Meanwhile, Arsenal had a chance to really pull away. They didn't.
A 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest sounds like a "typical Arsenal" result from years ago, but it’s a massive blow in 2026. The Gunners are still top with 50 points, but they missed a golden opportunity to put a nine-point gap between them and second place. Forest, fighting for their lives at the bottom, defended like their house was on fire.
Chaos at the Top: Villa and Liverpool Stumble
You've got to feel for Unai Emery. Aston Villa had the chance to jump into second place on Sunday. All they had to do was beat Everton at Villa Park.
They lost. 1-0.
A nightmare mistake from Pau Torres gave the ball away, and Emi Martinez—usually so reliable—fumbled a shot that let Thierno Barry tap it in. That win moved Everton up to 10th, while Villa stayed third, level on points with City (43 points).
Liverpool didn't fare much better. Anfield is usually a fortress, but Burnley walked away with a 1-1 draw. Florian Wirtz scored for the Reds, but Marcus Edwards equalized for the Clarets. It leaves Liverpool in fourth, four points behind the Manchester teams.
Weekend Results at a Glance
Instead of a boring table, let’s just look at how these games actually shook out.
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On Saturday, Chelsea took care of business at Stamford Bridge with a 2-0 win over Brentford. João Pedro and Cole Palmer did the damage. Tottenham, however, felt the sting of a London derby loss, falling 2-1 to West Ham. Crysencio Summerville and a late, late winner from Callum Wilson (92nd minute!) silenced the Spurs fans.
Leeds United bagged a massive three points against Fulham at Elland Road thanks to Lukas Nmecha, while Sunderland continued their surprisingly decent season by beating Crystal Palace 2-1.
The Monday Night Finale
The weekend isn't quite over. We still have Brighton hosting Bournemouth on Monday night.
Brighton are currently sitting in 12th, while Bournemouth are 15th. It’s a mid-table clash on paper, but given how the rest of the epl fixtures for weekend have gone, don't be surprised if it’s a high-scoring thriller. Bournemouth have been leaky at the back, but they can score. Brighton, under the lights at the Amex, will want to leapfrog Everton back into the top ten.
Why This Matters for the Title Race
Arsenal are sitting on 50 points. City and Villa are on 43.
If Arsenal had won and City had won, the gap would still be seven. But because nobody in the top four actually won this weekend (except United climbing into the conversation), the tension is through the roof.
We are seeing a league where "easy" games don't exist anymore. Burnley drawing at Liverpool and Forest holding Arsenal proves that the gap between the elite and the rest is shrinking, or at least, the "rest" have figured out how to park the bus more effectively.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Punters
- Watch the "Carrick Bounce": Manchester United look transformed. If you’re looking at top-four betting or just FPL assets, Mbeumo and Dorgu are becoming essential.
- Don't Trust the "Home Banker": Villa and Liverpool both dropped points at home to teams in the bottom half. The 2025-26 season is proving to be the year of the away underdog.
- Arsenal's Depth Test: The draw against Forest showed that when the front line isn't clicking, the Gunners struggle to find a Plan B. Keep an eye on the transfer window—they might need one more spark.
Next weekend doesn't get any easier. We have Arsenal facing Manchester United on January 25th. If Carrick beats Arteta, we might actually have a five-way title race on our hands.
The current standings have Arsenal at the summit (50 pts), followed by Man City (43 pts), Aston Villa (43 pts), and Liverpool (36 pts). United are now breathing down their necks with 35. It is, quite simply, the best league in the world for a reason.