Premier League Matchday 12 Review
Arsenal Flex, Chelsea Tighten, Newcastle Shock City**
Matchday 12 didn’t bother easing anyone into the weekend. It detonated. Title contenders were exposed, pretenders were humbled, and Arsenal walked out of the round looking like they own the league. Here is the complete, fact-checked breakdown of what actually happened across England.
Arsenal 4 Tottenham 1
Arsenal ripped Spurs apart at the Emirates. Eze owned the derby with a hat-trick and Arsenal looked a level above in tempo, aggression and composure.
Key moment: Eze’s first goal that turned a derby into a demolition.
What it means: Arsenal look like the most complete team in the league.
Burnley 0 Chelsea 2
Chelsea handled the match with maturity. Neto and Enzo scored, the defence held firm and the game never felt out of control.
Key moment: Neto’s opener that killed Burnley’s early confidence.
What it means: Chelsea are the one side who look capable of tracking Arsenal.
Bournemouth 2 West Ham 2
A chaotic game where neither team could hold a lead. Bournemouth created danger, West Ham countered, and neither had the discipline to close it out.
Key moment: Bournemouth’s second equaliser that turned the match into pure chaos.
What it means: Both remain stuck in mid-table with no real direction.
Wolves 0 Crystal Palace 2
Palace were compact, organised and hit Wolves on the break at the perfect times. Wolves had possession but zero threat.
Key moment: Palace’s opener that exposed Wolves’ soft centre.
What it means: Palace move upward. Wolves slide dangerously closer to trouble.
Fulham 1 Sunderland 0
A grind. Fulham dominated territory, stayed patient and found the goal they needed. Sunderland fought but lacked quality.
Key moment: Fulham’s winner that finally broke the resistance.
What it means: Fulham steady themselves. Sunderland sink deeper into survival mode.
Brighton 2 Brentford 1
Brighton controlled the pace and found a late winner through persistence, structure and clean patterns. Brentford pushed but faded.
Key moment: Brighton’s late strike that sealed a deserved win.
What it means: Brighton stay locked into the European chase.
Liverpool 0 Nottingham Forest 3
Total humiliation at Anfield. Forest walked in fearless, outworked Liverpool and punished every mistake. Liverpool looked lost.
Key moment: Forest’s second goal that drained the stadium and Liverpool’s belief.
What it means: Liverpool’s season has identity issues that cannot be ignored.
Newcastle United 2 Manchester City 1
St James’ Park swallowed City whole. Barnes scored twice and City rarely looked comfortable. Newcastle pressed, chased and finished with conviction.
Key moment: Barnes’ second goal with the crowd roaring and City shrinking.
What it means: Newcastle become a genuine problem. City look human again.
Leeds United 1 Aston Villa 2
Villa flipped the match after halftime and controlled the big moments. Leeds worked hard but defensive lapses cost them.
Key moment: Villa’s equaliser that instantly shifted momentum.
What it means: Villa continue rising. Leeds slide closer to the relegation fight.
Manchester United 0 Everton 1
Everton defended bravely and took their chance. United were flat, predictable and lacked any cohesion.
Key moment: Everton’s winner that sucked the life out of Old Trafford.
What it means: United remain directionless. Everton keep grinding important points.
Looking Ahead To Matchweek 13
Key Things To Watch
1. Chelsea v Arsenal
The real title test. If Chelsea win, we have a two-team race. If Arsenal win, they build separation.
2. Manchester City v Leeds
City need authority and control. Anything shaky and the wobble becomes a crisis.
3. West Ham v Liverpool
Liverpool must respond after the Forest disaster. West Ham are organised enough to punish another flat performance.
4. Everton v Newcastle
Newcastle need to back up their City win. Goodison Park will not make it easy.
5. Nottingham Forest v Brighton
Forest are surging. Brighton are steady. This matchup decides who enters the top-six conversation.
