The pressure is ramping up for every club across the Premier League in the depths of the Christmas period, and Gameweek 16 was a stern reminder that no win is guaranteed in England’s top flight. On Saturday, Chelsea and Liverpool were kept honest by Everton and Brighton, respectively, but both heavyweights managed to pick up big wins and keep their hopes of a top-four finish alive.
It was a lot more difficult for Arsenal later on in the day. The Gunners scraped a win thanks to two own goals on opponents Wolves’ part, with the winner coming deep in stoppage time at the Emirates. On Sunday, it was an afternoon of chaos as the division’s European competitors locked horns.
Nottingham Forest dragged Tottenham back down to Earth after a three-game unbeaten run, while Manchester City put on a clinical performance to dismantle Crystal Palace on the road.
It was a day to remember for Sunderland fans, as they clinched a massive win against Newcastle in the Tyne-Wear derby, sparking wild celebrations inside the Stadium of Light. With just a handful of games left before we roll into 2026, who is backing themselves, and which players require a few New Year's resolutions after bottling it on the pitch?
Backed It or Bottled It? Premier League Gameweek 16 Recap
Star of the Weekend
Star of the Weekend: Hugo Ekitike
Liverpool returned to winning ways against Brighton, and the Reds have Hugo Ekitike to thank for halting their unsteady form. After two Premier League draws in a row, the Frenchman put fans’ nerves at ease inside a minute, pipping Newcastle’s Malick Thiaw to the Premier League’s fastest goal of the season.
His strike was clocked at just 46 seconds, Liverpool’s first top-flight goal inside the opening 60 seconds since Naby Keita’s finish after 15 seconds against Huddersfield back in 2019. The 23-year-old was not finished after his first goal, either. He bagged again in the second half, with a little help from a certain Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool’s controversial winger was back in the squad and on the pitch after just 26 minutes, replacing the injured Joe Gomez and having a huge impact that drew a standing ovation from the fans inside Anfield at full-time.
However, the spotlight should remain on Ekitike for his efforts, and there will be a little added satisfaction for the forward following back-to-back braces - he is setting standards big-money signing Alexander Isak simply cannot match.
Flop of the Weekend: Viktor Gyokeres
Viktor Gyokeres has been under fire for his performances in an Arsenal shirt this season, and that criticism is only ramping up now that Gabriel Jesus is back in contention for a starting spot at striker. The Swedish international blanked again in the 2-1 win over Wolves on Saturday, extending his scoreless run to four in the top flight, with his last strike coming against Burnley six weeks ago.
In fact, the only teams the former Sporting striker has scored against in 2025-26 reside in the bottom half of the table. Leeds and Nottingham Forest are the other victims of Mikel Arteta’s main man up front, a worrying return for a man who netted 54 times in all competitions last season.
There is still time for Gyokeres to prove his worth in an Arsenal shirt, but the Premier League has a ruthless habit of chewing up and spitting out players who fail to hit the ground running.
Will Gyökeres Finish This Season With Double Digit League Goals? (Currently 4)
Biggest Disappointment
Biggest Disappointment: Arsenal
Gyokeres was not the only sub-par performer in Arsenal’s concerning outing against Wolves. The entire Gunners squad was below their usual standards, and the mood across the club would be much different this week, were it not for a massive slice of luck.
For the first time in the campaign, Arsenal failed to muster a single shot on target in the first half. Even when they eventually got themselves ahead, there was a worrying lack of control from the home side.
The visitors matched them for shots on target, with just two, and they were arguably good value for a point. Still, the North London club maintain their unbeaten run at home this season, which stretches to 12 games in all competitions. More importantly, their two-point lead over Manchester City at the summit is still intact. As a result, they remain 8/11 favourites to win the title.
Performance of the Weekend
Performance of the Weekend: Manchester City
Every point matters in the Premier League, and Manchester City know exactly what it takes to get over the line. In a tough fixture at Selhurst Park, Pep Guardiola’s side put on a finishing clinic, winning 3-0 in South London despite being made to sweat by the hosts.
Erling Haaland notched another few goals for his tally, with Phil Foden also getting in on the action to ensure City kept the pressure ramped up to maximum on Arsenal at the top. Their first shot may not have come until the 29th minute, but their opener was a thing of beauty.
The Cityzens made 25 passes in the build-up to Haaland’s first strike, their most for a goal since May 2024. And with a relatively favourable schedule in the coming weeks, there is definitely value in backing City at 7/4 to derail Arsenal’s title bid.
Surprise of the Weekend
Surprise of the Weekend: Nottingham Forest
Only Wolves have scored fewer goals than Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this season, making their dominant 3-0 against Tottenham slightly surprising. Spurs entered the weekend with one of the best away records in the top flight, but failed to muster a single big chance at the City Ground on Sunday.
Forest were excellent, containing the London club and recording their biggest win over them since 1987. Only Aston Villa and Manchester City have picked up more points over the last six games than Sean Dyche’s men, with the head coach doing a superb job at steadying the ship in the Midlands.
A few more wins for the Tricky Trees will pull them completely away from the relegation zone, which will come as a huge relief for the Nottingham faithful and owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Where Will Nottingham Forest Finish This Season?
Moment of the Weekend
Moment of the Weekend: Sunderland Celebrate In Style
It wasn’t a classic; in fact, no Premier League game has had fewer shots (11) or fewer expected goals (xG) generated (0.53) than Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby. But Sunderland will not care; the fans inside the Stadium of Light celebrated Nick Woltemade’s own goal like it was scored by one of their own, and the party did not stop at the full-time whistle.
The Black Cats replicated Newcastle’s on-field team photo after their FA Cup win in 2024, scenes that prompted a furious rant from Magpies midfielder Bruno Guimaraes in a post-match interview. Regis Le Bris’ side moved four points above their fierce rivals in the standings and recorded their fourth consecutive league win over the Geordies.
If there was any doubt that Sunderland belong back in the Premier League, there can be no more questions after dispatching a side regularly competing in the Champions League under Eddie Howe.
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