If you just looked at the scorelines this weekend, you’d think the Premier League was finally settling into its usual rhythm. Arsenal holding onto top spot after a gritty draw, Manchester City breathing down their necks, and the mid-table chaos we’ve come to expect. But honestly, anyone just skimming the EPL results right now is missing the massive tectonic shifts happening under the surface of the 2025-26 season.
Take Saturday’s Manchester Derby at Old Trafford. Michael Carrick’s debut as United’s permanent head coach wasn't just a "new manager bounce." It was a tactical dismantling. A 2-0 win over Pep Guardiola’s City is one thing, but doing it with goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu while holding 2026's most feared attack to zero goals? That’s a statement that changes the entire top-four conversation.
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Why the Recent EPL Results Are Scaring the Big Six
The narrative for years has been about the gap between the elite and the rest. This weekend proved that gap is basically a myth now. Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Burnley at Anfield is the perfect example. Arne Slot’s team had 32 attempts on goal. Thirty-two! Yet, they needed a Florian Wirtz strike just to rescue a point after Marcus Edwards stunned the Kop.
It’s not just about "bad luck" anymore. Teams like Burnley and Sunderland are playing with a level of tactical sophistication that makes the traditional "big" clubs look stagnant. Sunderland’s 2-1 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday wasn't an upset—it was a controlled performance by a side that actually looks like they belong in the European places.
The Molineux Mud-Fight and the Relegation Reality
Then you've got the Sunday afternoon clash at Molineux. Wolves and Newcastle played out a 0-0 draw that was, frankly, a bit of a slog to watch in the rain. But if you're tracking EPL results for the long haul, that point is massive for Rob Edwards. Wolves have been rooted to the bottom of the table for what feels like forever, yet they’re now unbeaten in four.
Newcastle, on the other hand, look toothless. They had 66% of the ball and didn't manage a shot on target until the 85th minute. For a team with Champions League aspirations, that’s a disaster. It highlights a growing trend this season: possession is becoming a trap. The teams winning right now are the ones comfortable without the ball, waiting for that one clinical moment.
Breaking Down the Gameweek 22 Standings
Let's get into the weeds of where everyone actually sits after this weekend's chaos. Arsenal are still leading the pack with 50 points after their 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest. It wasn't pretty, and Mikel Arteta looked frustrated on the touchline, but a point away at the City Ground is rarely a bad result in 2026.
- Arsenal - 50 pts (The consistency is terrifying)
- Manchester City - 44 pts (Still the favorites for many, despite the Derby loss)
- Aston Villa - 43 pts (Unai Emery has turned Villa Park into a fortress)
- Liverpool - 36 pts (Four straight draws—the wheels are wobbling)
- Manchester United - 35 pts (The Carrick era begins with a bang)
The real story might be West Ham. Their 2-1 win away at Tottenham on Saturday was a tactical masterclass by Nuno Espírito Santo. Crysencio Summerville and Callum Wilson provided the goals, but the way they neutralized Spurs' midfield was the real highlight. Tottenham are sitting down in 14th place now. Honestly, you've got to wonder how much longer the board will stay patient given the investment over the summer.
The Statistical Anomalies Nobody Talks About
We need to talk about Erling Haaland for a second. He’s still the top scorer with 20 goals, but he was virtually invisible at Old Trafford. Michael Carrick used a high-line trap that caught City’s runners offside three times in the first half alone. It’s a blueprint. If you can cut the service from Rodri, Haaland becomes a very expensive passenger.
Also, keep an eye on Leeds United. Their 1-0 win over Fulham thanks to a late Lukas Nmecha goal has dragged them away from the immediate danger zone. Leeds are playing a brand of high-energy football that is exhausting opponents. They aren't the most talented squad, but they are currently the hardest team to play against in the bottom half of the table.
The Mid-Season Evolution
What’s changed since August? Basically, the middle of the table has disappeared. You are either fighting for the title or fighting for your life. Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Brentford shows they might finally be finding some stability under Liam Rosenior, with Cole Palmer continuing to be their only consistent spark. But even Chelsea, sitting in 6th, feel like they’re one bad weekend away from a crisis.
The EPL results we are seeing now reflect a league that has become obsessed with transitions. The "tiki-taka" era feels dead. If you can't move the ball from back to front in under six seconds, you're going to struggle. This is why teams like Brentford and Fulham, who were flying high earlier in the season, are starting to drop points—their patterns have become predictable.
Actionable Insights for the Next Few Gameweeks
If you’re following the league closely or managing a fantasy team, here is what the data from this weekend actually tells us:
- Avoid Liverpool Defenders: Four straight draws and a lack of clean sheets suggests Arne Slot hasn't fixed the defensive transition issues. They are giving up too many "big chances" to lower-tier opposition.
- The "Carrick Effect" is Real: Manchester United's defensive structure looked completely different against City. Expect them to be much harder to break down in the coming weeks.
- Bet on the Underdogs at Home: Nottingham Forest and Wolves have turned their home grounds into graveyards for the big clubs. If a top-six side is traveling to a "relegation" candidate, don't assume an easy three points.
- Watch the Yellow Card Counts: We saw a spike in bookings this weekend, particularly at Molineux and the Stadium of Light. Referees are cracking down on "tactical fouls" to stop counter-attacks, which is leading to more suspensions for key defensive midfielders.
The title race isn't over, and the relegation scrap is just getting started. With Brighton playing Bournemouth on Monday night, we could see even more movement in that crowded middle section of the table. One thing is certain: if you think you know how this season ends based on the names on the jerseys, you haven't been paying attention to the actual football.
To stay ahead, focus on the underlying metrics. Look at "Expected Goals Against" (xGA) rather than just the scoreline. A team like Newcastle might be 8th, but their defensive numbers suggest they could slide much further if they don't find a way to stop conceding high-quality chances on the break. The next month of fixtures will be the ultimate litmus test for whether the "Big Six" can reassert their dominance or if 2026 is the year the hierarchy finally crumbles.