Honestly, if you missed the early kickoff today, you missed the kind of script even the most ambitious Hollywood writer wouldn't dare pitch. The Manchester Derby just wrapped up, and it wasn’t just a game; it was a statement. Michael Carrick, in his second stint as Manchester United’s interim boss, just walked into Old Trafford and orchestrated a 2-0 demolition of Manchester City.
It’s wild.
City came in needing a win to keep the pressure on Arsenal, but they looked leggy. United, on the other hand, looked like a team that finally remembered they’re Manchester United. Bryan Mbeumo—just back from AFCON duty with Cameroon—slotted home in the 65th minute, and the roof nearly came off the place. By the time Patrick Dorgu doubled the lead ten minutes later, Pep Guardiola looked like he wanted to be anywhere else on earth.
But look, the day is far from over. If you’re tracking soccer games today premier league style, the late window is where the title race could take its biggest turn yet.
Arsenal’s chance to pull away at the City Ground
Right now, all eyes are shifting to Nottingham Forest. Arsenal is heading into the City Ground for the 5:30 p.m. GMT slot, and the stakes are massive. Because City dropped points earlier today, Mikel Arteta’s squad has a golden opportunity to stretch their lead at the top to nine points. That’s a "start engraving the trophy" kind of gap, even in January.
Forest isn’t going to be a pushover, though. Sean Dyche has them playing that gritty, low-block football that makes life miserable for creative teams. They’re sitting about seven points above the drop zone, so they aren't desperate yet, but they’re hungry. They’ve got some big names back, too. Ibrahim Sangaré and Willy Boly are back from international duty, which gives their midfield some much-needed "thump" against Ødegaard and Rice.
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Arsenal’s predicted XI looks solid.
- Raya in goal.
- A back four of Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, and Lewis-Skelly.
- The usual midfield engine of Ødegaard, Zubimendi, and Rice.
- A front three of Saka, Gyökeres, and Trossard.
It's a lineup built for breaking down doors. But don't forget, Forest’s Igor Jesus has been a handful lately, and if Arsenal gets caught sleeping on a counter, the title race stays wide open.
The mid-table chaos: Chelsea, Spurs, and the Liverpool stalemate
Earlier this afternoon, while the Manchester drama was unfolding, a bunch of other games turned the table upside down.
Chelsea managed a 2-0 win over Brentford at Stamford Bridge. It was Liam Rosenior’s debut in the Chelsea dugout, and he couldn't have asked for a better start. It’s funny because Brentford actually sits higher in the table right now, but Chelsea played with a point to prove.
Then you have Spurs. Oh, Spurs.
They were booed off the pitch after a 2-1 loss to West Ham. Callum Wilson—the man everyone thinks is leaving this transfer window—came off the bench and scored a 93rd-minute winner. It’s a disaster for Thomas Frank, whose Spurs side hasn't won a single game since the calendar turned to 2026.
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Meanwhile, at Anfield, Liverpool stumbled again. A 1-1 draw with Burnley. Burnley! Arne Slot’s team has now drawn three straight league games. They’re still in the top four, but only because the teams around them keep tripping over their own feet. It’s becoming a bit of a pattern where the "Big Six" are struggling to put away teams that sit deep and defend for their lives.
What the table looks like right now
If you’re checking the standings after today’s results, things are getting tight in the middle and very lonely at the top.
Arsenal is currently sitting on 50 points from 22 games. If they beat Forest tonight, they hit 53. City is stuck on 43, tied with Aston Villa who plays tomorrow. Down at the bottom, Wolves are in real trouble with only 7 points. They’ve only won one game all season. It’s grim.
Burnley’s point at Anfield actually helps them a bit, but they’re still deep in the relegation mire with 14 points. West Ham’s win at Spurs was huge for them, moving them up to 17 points and giving them a bit of breathing room over the bottom two.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s fixtures
Don't go anywhere once the Arsenal game finishes, because Sunday has some sneaky good matchups.
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First up, you’ve got Wolves vs. Newcastle. This is a "must-win" for Wolves if they have any hope of staying up. Newcastle is dealing with a defensive injury crisis—Fabian Schär is out for months—so Wolves might actually have a sniff at a result if they can find some goals.
Then, the late Sunday game is Aston Villa vs. Everton. Unai Emery’s Villa is the real deal this year. They’re level with City on points, and a win tomorrow would officially put them in the second-place spot. Everton is hovering around 12th, and while they’re safe-ish for now, a loss at Villa Park would start to make things look a bit shaky again.
Actions you should take next
The transfer window is still open, and today’s results are going to force some hands. Watch the news over the next 48 hours for these three things:
- Striker movements: With Callum Wilson scoring at the death for West Ham, expect the rumors about his departure to either intensify or vanish. Forest is also desperately looking for a striker to help out Igor Jesus.
- Managerial pressure: Thomas Frank is under the microscope at Spurs. Another loss like today's and the board might start looking at options, especially since the fans have clearly turned.
- Arsenal's injury report: Watch for updates on Piero Hincapié. If he’s back for the Forest game, Arsenal’s defense becomes almost impenetrable.
Basically, the Premier League is in its "chaos phase" right now. Today showed us that form goes out the window during the January grind. Whether you're a Gunner looking to pull away or a United fan suddenly feeling hopeful again, today was a reminder of why we watch this sport.
Keep an eye on that 5:30 p.m. kickoff. It might just decide the season.