The Premier League weekend delivered unexpected results and sparked reflections on the form of several teams. League leaders Liverpool struggled at home against Fulham, salvaging a late draw thanks to Gakpo. With a game in hand (the Merseyside Derby against Everton), the Reds saw their lead shrink as Chelsea closed the gap.
Maresca’s side took full advantage of Liverpool’s stumble, securing a 2-1 win over Brentford and moving within two points of the top. The Blues seem to have found stability under their manager after several turbulent seasons.
The weekend's most anticipated match, the Manchester Derby, saw Portuguese coach Amorim deepen City’s crisis. Guardiola's team, in freefall, now sits fifth in the table with only four points from their last seven Premier League games. Arsenal also faltered, held to a goalless draw by Everton at the Emirates.
Premier League, Forest holds Liverpool as City and Chelsea falter
15 Jan - 11:55 •
2' min
The biggest shock came from Nottingham Forest. They secured a crucial win against Aston Villa, climbing to fourth place—a position that would mean Champions League qualification if sustained. Given the struggles of several traditional powerhouses, Forest's dream seems increasingly realistic.
Tottenham crushed bottom-side Southampton 5-0, boosting their standings, while the Saints remain stuck at the bottom with just five points. In the relegation battle, Ipswich secured a vital away win against Wolves. Brighton stumbled at home against Crystal Palace, while Newcastle thrashed Leicester 4-0 to cap off the weekend.
As the matchweek’s final game approaches, the fight for European spots remains tight. Just five points separate Manchester City (27 points) in fifth from Manchester United (22 points) in 13th, leaving nine teams vying for top-six contention. Meanwhile, the top of the table is beginning to take shape, with Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal emerging as the most consistent and well-equipped contenders for the Premier League title.
