Roundup of latest Premier League action as 2025 drew to a close and 2026 began with huge moments in the title race.
Quick-fire goals from Gabriel and Martin Zubimendi fired Arsenal on their way to an eventual 4-1 home win over third-placed Aston Villa, as Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus wrapped up victory before Ollie Watkins poked in Villa’s injury-time consolatory effort.
Manchester City slipped four points behind in second following a scrappy goalless draw at Sunderland, with the Black Cats still yet to lose at home this season.
Fourth-placed Liverpool were held to a goalless draw at home by Leeds in a wasteful performance, during which Hugo Ekitike missed from close range.
Chelsea rounded out the top five after Cole Palmer’s penalty and Enzo Fernandez’ finish put them ahead in an eventual 2-2 draw at home to Bournemouth, after David Brooks put the Cherries ahead but Justin Kluivert snatched the equalising goal which ultimately led the Blues to sack Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day.
Down in the relegation zone, Wolves’ winless start to the league campaign continued after Ladislav Krejci’s strike rescued them a 1-1 draw at Manchester United, having fell behind to Joshua Zirkzee’s 27th-minute deflected finish.
Josh Laurent’s aerobatic volley couldn’t prevent second-bottom Burnley losing 3-1 at home to Newcastle as Joelinton and Yoane Wissa put the Magpies in control after seven minutes, before Bruno Guimaraes completed the visitors’ victory with his 93rd-minute strike
Third-bottom West Ham were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw at home to Brighton after Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta twice fired them ahead, amidst an equalising penalty from Danny Welbeck before Joel Veltman’s 61st-minute finish salvaged a point for Fabian Hurzeler’s Seagulls.
Elsewhere, Thomas Frank’s return to Brentford with Tottenham following his move in June ended in a goalless stalemate.
Goals from James Garner and Thierno Barry saw Everton claim a clinical 2-0 victory away at Nottingham Forest, which left Sean Dyche’s Tricky Trees four points above the bottom three.
Tom Cairney’s finish rescued Fulham a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace after Jean-Philippe Mateta headed the Eagles into a half-time lead.
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