Three talking points from Premier League

Manchester City are six points behind Arsenal after a swing weekend in the Premier League, with a looming summit meeting that could determine the destination of the title.

Long-time leaders Arsenal slumped to a shock 2-1 home defeat by Bournemouth on Saturday and City took full advantage, thumping Chelsea 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

At the bottom of the table, Tottenham are two points from safety after a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland in Roberto De Zerbi’s first match in charge.

Here are three talking points from the Premier League weekend:

Will Arsenal blow title again?

Despite leading the table, Arsenal’s form has dipped sharply, losing three of their last four matches after an impressive run earlier in the season.

The Gunners had previously suffered only three defeats in 49 matches across all competitions.

Their recent struggles also include defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and an FA Cup exit against Southampton.

Manager Mikel Arteta described the Bournemouth defeat as a “big punch in the face” and admitted pressure is growing.

Arsenal now face City in a crucial title clash that could determine the destination of the trophy.

Spurs staring into relegation battle

Tottenham’s struggles continued in Roberto De Zerbi’s first game in charge, leaving them two points from safety.

Former Brighton and Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi now has a clearer picture of the size of his task after his team’s 1-0 defeat at Sunderland.

Only three sides – Derby, Sunderland, and Swindon – have had longer winless runs to start a calendar year in the Premier League than Tottenham in 2026 (14), and all three were relegated.

EPL: Man City thrash Chelsea to close gap on Arsenal

While Spurs flounder, relegation rivals West Ham and Nottingham Forest continue to pick up points.

Ngumoha shines for Liverpool

Liverpool boss Arne Slot compared Rio Ngumoha to the departing Mohamed Salah after the 17-year-old scored a brilliant opener in a 2-0 victory against Fulham.

Ngumoha was already the club’s youngest goalscorer and he now holds the Liverpool record as the youngest Premier League scorer at Anfield.

The win strengthened Liverpool’s hold on fifth place after a calamitous Premier League title defence and it gave Slot some respite after heavy losses to Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

Slot’s position as manager has been openly questioned just a year after he led the Reds to a record-equalling 20th English title.

He must, at a bare minimum, engineer a top-five finish, which would guarantee Champions League football next season, and Ngumoha could be the spark.

Slot said: “He has such a special quality which you don’t see a lot in football anymore – dominating the one-v-one situation.

“That’s exactly what he did when he scored his goal, making the ball free by twisting and turning and then hitting it in like a Mo Salah finish.“