Premier League Matchday 17: Liverpool bounces back, Aston Villa clobbers Man United

As the Premier League heads into the festive break, the battle for the top spot reached its climax in a weekend defined by grit, discipline, and a fair share of holiday chaos. While the league leaders fought through a grueling away test to secure their place at the summit for the big day, the chasing pack refused to blink, turning the title race into a high-stakes tactical chess match where one slip could prove fatal in the New Year.

The drama extended far beyond the title contenders, with North London hosting a bizarre, high-tension encounter that saw the rulebook pushed to its limits and defensive resilience tested like never before. Meanwhile, the basement of the table witnessed a mix of historic despair and late-stage heroics, as the fight to escape the relegation zone reached a boiling point just in time for the busy Boxing Day schedule. 

Here’s what you missed in the Premier League before the Christmas break:

Tottenham Hotspur 1 – 2 Liverpool

Liverpool secured a massive statement win in North London to keep their top-four hopes alive. After a goalless first half, Alexander Isak broke the deadlock (56′) before Hugo Ekitike doubled the lead ten minutes later (66′). Spurs pulled one back through a Richarlison header (83′) to set up a frantic finish, but Liverpool held on for a crucial away victory.

Everton 0 – 1 Arsenal

In a tightly contested affair at the new Hill Dickinson Stadium, Arsenal secured the three points necessary to sit top of the table on Christmas Day. The breakthrough came in the 27th minute when Viktor Gyökeres clinically converted a penalty after a handball by Jake O’Brien. Arsenal’s league-leading defense held firm against late Everton pressure, marking Mikel Arteta’s sixth anniversary with a vital clean sheet.

Aston Villa 2 – 1 Manchester United

Aston Villa continued their remarkable surge into the title conversation with a hard-fought win at Villa Park. Morgan Rogers opened the scoring just before the break (45′), but United responded instantly through Matheus Cunha (45+3′). Rogers proved to be the difference-maker again in the second half, ghosting into the box to fire home the winner (57′) and keeping Villa within three points of the summit.

10 wins in a row for the first time since 1914‼️

Aston Villa’s red-hot run continues 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tMEC0eT8JF

— Premier League USA (@PLinUSA) December 21, 2025

Manchester City 3 – 0 West Ham United

The defending champions cruised to a routine victory at the Etihad Stadium. Erling Haaland struck early (6′) to settle any nerves, and Tijjani Reijnders added a second before halftime (38′) with a deflected effort. Haaland capped the performance with his second of the afternoon (69′), ensuring City remain just two points behind Arsenal heading into the festive fixtures.

Newcastle United 2 – 2 Chelsea

A pulsating “classic” at St. James’ Park saw the points shared between two top-four hopefuls. Newcastle raced into a two-goal lead thanks to a brace from Nick Woltemade (4′, 20′), who redeemed himself after a difficult week. However, Chelsea fought back in the second half, with Reece James curling in a brilliant free-kick (48′) and Joao Pedro sliding home the equalizer (66′) to rescue a point.

Leeds United 4 – 1 Crystal Palace

Leeds delivered their most dominant performance of the season to pull away from the relegation scrap. Dominic Calvert-Lewin netted twice in the first half (38′, 45+4′), and Ethan Ampadu added a third (60′) to put the game out of reach. Despite a late Palace penalty from Justin Devenny (90+2′), Anton Stach added a fourth deep in stoppage time (90+11′) to seal an emphatic win at Elland Road.

Fulham 1 – 0 Nottingham Forest

In the final game of the matchweek, Fulham edged a narrow contest at Craven Cottage. The only goal of the game came on the stroke of halftime when Raúl Jiménez (45′) converted a penalty following a VAR check for a foul in the box. The win moves Fulham into mid-table security while leaving Forest precariously close to the drop zone.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 – 2 Brentford

Wolves’ winless season continued as they fell to a clinical Brentford side. Keane Lewis-Potter was the star of the show, scoring in both the 63rd and 83rd minutes to ensure the Bees took all three points back to West London. The result leaves Wolves rooted to the bottom of the table with only 2 points from 17 matches.

Bournemouth 1 – 1 Burnley

A battle between two sides desperate for points ended in a stalemate at the Vitality Stadium. Antoine Semenyo gave the Cherries the lead in the 67th minute, and they looked set for a vital win until Armando Broja popped up in the 90th minute to snatch an equalizer for Burnley, keeping their survival hopes alive.

Brighton & Hove Albion 0 – 0 Sunderland

A defensive stalemate at the Amex saw both sides take a point in a game of few clear-cut chances. Both goalkeepers were called into action late on to preserve their clean sheets, leaving Sunderland in 6th place and Brighton just outside the top half as they enter the Christmas break.

The table as of Dec. 23:

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