The Top Five Race Tightens: Premier League Weekend Round Up

While Gameweek 37 hasn't concluded in its entirety, the weekend's Premier League football has certainly set up an exciting final day. The battle to finish in the top five - places awarding a spot in next season's Champions League - now sees five teams with just one point between them, fighting for three spaces.

Crystal Palace's FA Cup triumph put a swift end to the European dreams of Brentford, Brighton and Fulham, as eighth place is now confirmed to go without European football next season.

All eyes then, are on the battle for a place in Europe's premier competition.

Newcastle Not Clear Yet

A win at the Emirates Stadium yesterday would have pretty much guaranteed Newcastle's spot in the Champions League next season. With an aggregate score of 5-0 across three previous meetings this season, the Magpies were rightfully optimistic.

But the absence of Joelinton and Kieran Trippier led Eddie Howe to employ a different tactical approach to what has worked against the Gunners this season. His men set out in a 3-4-3, which worked brilliantly last week against Chelsea, but yesterday left Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali overrun by the home team's midfield, and despite a sluggish start, Arsenal earned an advantage through Declan Rice.

Howe's troubles were compounded by the surprise absence of Alexander Isak, who was replaced by Callum Wilson - who, through no fault of his own, looked like a player who has barely touched the ball all season. To be introduced against the best defence in the Premier League (Arsenal have conceded the fewest goals) was always going to be a big ask for the Englishman.

For Arsenal, the 1-0 victory guarantees them second place (assuming there isn't a ten goal swing in Manchester City's favour), and the manner of it - at least the second half - will certainly inspire fans. Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli rotated between the left and central areas with fluidity and freedom, and Bukayo Saka looked more determined to drive centrally rather than from his usual spot wide on the right side. The latter of these was perhaps aided by Ben White's return at right back.

For Newcastle, Champions League football is still in their hands. They have a slight edge (two) on goal difference over Chelsea, which could come into play should both sides win on the final day.

Cucurella Bails Out Flat Blues

Chelsea’s narrow 1-0 win over Manchester United might not have been pretty, but it was vital. Marc Cucurella's strike has only further endeared the Spaniard to Blues fans.

Neither side created much, but Chelsea did what they had to do. Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo were resolute at the back, and United were limited to just 0.29 xG throughout the evening. It wasn't a vintage performance from Enzo Maresca's men - in fact, far from it with the Blues only having 47% possession, far below Maresca's usual expectations.

After Aston Villa's victory against Tottenham, and Chelsea's goalless first half with Manchester United, Enzo Maresca's side were sixth...

But Marc Cucurella's second half goal gives #CFC the three points, and moves them up to fourth.#CHEMUN | #MUFC pic.twitter.com/YVNQoJBzVZ
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) May 16, 2025

The absence of Nicolas Jackson made the evening into an attritional affair, and an attritional watch.

It’s been a curious debut campaign for the Italian coach. Chelsea flew out of the traps, briefly topping the table in early autumn, but their attacking fluency faded after Christmas. Even so, Maresca has introduced a clear identity and shape to a squad that was rudderless twelve months ago, and the fact Chelsea are favourites to finish top five heading into the final weekend is testament to some of the progress made.

That said, they face a tricky trip to Nottingham Forest on the final day, who despite fading away in recent weeks, will feel that a win will give them a fighting chance for Champions League football on the final day.

Rested Spurs No Match For Villa

It ordinarily wouldn't be big news if fifth place beat seventeenth 2-0 at home, but Tottenham Hotspur remain a scalp that Aston Villa had to work for. And work they did. Spurs had just three shots on Friday evening and Unai Emery's men ran rampant. Eighteen shots and 68% possession attest to a ruthless performance.

Having said that, Ange Postecoglou opted to rest - just as he did last week against Crystal Palace - all eleven players who started their Europa League semi final, ahead of a season-deciding European final on Wednesday. Three of Tottenham's first-choice back four weren't in the squad at all, and Pedro Porro was an unused substitute. The only starters who you might expect to feature in the final are Heung-min Son and Mathys Tel.

The Aussie manager has firmly committed all his eggs in one basket. While a strong end to the league campaign wouldn't have changed Tottenham's European situation, it could have restored some faith that Postecoglou is the man for the job. His rotations now mean, with near certainty, that if Spurs don't win the Europa League, there will be a new figure in the dugout next season.

I might be the only person on this side but if we win the UEFA Europa League.

Phase 3 Ange Postecoglou, I’m ready.🫣 pic.twitter.com/8NUjhxetS1
— 𝐻𝒾𝓂𝑜𝓉𝒽𝓎 (@THFC_Himothy) May 17, 2025

For Villa, their victory doesn't quite put them in control of their own destiny. A win this Sunday at Old Trafford - which of course, isn't the Theatre of Dreams it once was, and dropped points for one of Newcastle, Chelsea or Manchester City, will propel the Villains into next season's top competition.

The Unusual Suspects

It's rarely been their place or problem in the past decade, but Manchester City are in the midst of a battle for the Champions League for the first time since 2016/17. Every season since then, it's been a formality.

But now, they head into the last week of the season with two games left, facing two potentially problematic opponents in Bournemouth and Fulham.

They face the Cherries on Tuesday knowing that a win puts them in control of their destiny heading into the final day. Anything but, and Pep Guardiola's men will require favourable results to avoid the embarrassment of Europa League football next season.

Too Little Too Late For Forest

A week after being berated by his owner, Nuno Espirito Santo guided Nottingham Forest to a 2-1 victory over West Ham. With the Hammers enduring a nightmare season, this wouldn't be much cause for celebration, but it was a bounceback win after slumping to dropped points against Leicester last week.

Three big points for Nottingham Forest.

A 2-1 win away at West Ham United has them one point away from Champions League spots — and they face Chelsea, who sit fourth, in their final game of the season next week.#WHUNFO | #NFFC pic.twitter.com/Qj2uLPFe0B
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) May 18, 2025

Football's a brutal business. Prior to the season, Nuno's brief was likely little more than survival in the Premier League. With three weeks to go, they have guaranteed some form of European football for next season, but there is an eeriness around Nottingham that suggests what could have been. Until late March, they looked a shoe-in for Champions League football. Since the start of April, they have taken just eleven points from a possible twenty-four, with losses to Everton and Brentford looking likely to prove particularly costly.

Nonetheless, goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Nikola Milenkovic were enough to give Forest a chance heading into the final day. They will need to beat Chelsea and rely on at least one of Newcastle, Aston Villa or Manchester City dropping points.

Screenshot 2025-05-19 140223.png Image from sofascore.com