Premier League Matchday 15: Saturday’s Matches in Review
Arsenal Blunder and City Masterclass: The Title Race is Starting to Heat Up
Saturday has offered up an absolute corker of games with Arsenal's defensive losses proving costly, while Pep Guardiola's Manchester City completed a classy win over newbies Sunderland to ensure the Gunners are looking over their shoulder heading into the Christmas break.
Across the day's matches, 20 goals were scored across seven games, but these strikes impacted the table more than you may have thought.
From Villa's late jubilation to a snoozefest at the Vitality, here are Saturday's games in review.
Buendia Strikes Late as Arsenal Start to Trip Up
News came before the fixture that William Saliba's injury which kept him out against Chelsea is worse than the club initially thought, meaning both of the Gunners' star defensive pair would miss their Christmas congestion.
This monumental miss meant that Arsenal's hopes of breaking Chelsea's defensive record may have to wait another year after two strikes from the Villa Park hosts meant that they cut the gap to Arsenal to three points, while temporarily moving up to second before the blackout fixtures.
Eberechi Eze had a first half to forget - he first tucked home a disallowed goal before switching off at the other end, allowing Matty Cash to put the hosts in front before the interval.
Early in the second half, Leandro Trossard made an instant impact off the bench, thumping Arsenal level just six minutes after coming on. This ended being all for nought, however, just as the game looked like it was headed for a draw, Emiliano Buendia was open in a last second scramble in the visitors' penalty area and struck home a dramatic winner as Arsenal lose their first league game since August.
Get your volume ON and UP for these incredible full-time scenes at Villa Park 🦁💜
— Stan Sport Football (@StanSportFC) December 6, 2025
Emi Buendia's late finish means 𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒖𝒎.
↳ Premier League. Live & On Demand with 4K on Football’s New Home, Stan Sport. Stream now.#StanSportAU #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/kh3GDzRn2p
Snoozefest on the South Coast
The first of the 3pm games was at the Vitality Stadium as Bournemouth welcomed a Chelsea side who were looking to return to winning ways after a miserable 3-1 defeat to Leeds United just days ago.
The game began in spectacular fashion if you are a Cherries fan, with the hosts creating a handful of quality first half chances. They temporarily took the lead too through Antoine Semenyo before the goal was ruled out after Evanilson was in an offside position.
At the other end of the pitch, the only main story was a fascinating battle between Liam Delap and Marcos Senesi, which ended in the Argentine winning the battle as Delap had to be taken off after badly landing on his shoulder.
Chelsea looked much better in the second half, however, could not find anything special in the final third as they remain in fourth. Bournemouth's wait for a first win since October continues as they remain in 13th.
The Toffees Fly into the Top Six After a Classy Win Over ex-Boss
Sean Dyche returned to Everton on Saturday, but this time not at Goodison Park. Having kept clean sheets in three of their last four, the Tricky Trees would have been looking forward to this clash, but it was the Toffees' backline which came out on top, proving an impenetrable fortress on the day.
Things looked bleak for the Reds from the get-go, with Nikola Milenkovic finding his own goal in just the second minute of the fixture, setting the tone for the rest of the match-up; going against the Evertonian faithful, it was never going to end well.
Thierno Barry doubled their lead before the break with his first goal in a blue shirt, slotting calmly past Matz Sels after Iliman Ndiaye did most of the work in the build-up.
Europa Conference League winner Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall added a third, ten minutes from time, striking one low into the corner as Nottingham Forest remain sitting precariously above the drop zone.
Goliath Defeats David to Move 2 Points Behind Arsenal
Sunderland may have began their return to the topflight phenomenally, but today they were completely out of their depth as Manchester City put them to the sword to move back into second place and cut the gap even more to the league leaders.
After being unfortunate to not leave Anfield with all three points, the Black Cats initially held on strong to deny City for the opening half hour. However, their brick wall came crashing down in minutes as two quick-fire goals left them licking their wounds at the break.
Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol found two moments of brilliance as Dias' deflected 30-yard strike stunned the visitors before Gvardiol leaped highest to head the hosts two goals up.
🚨🏴 PHIL FODEN MAKES IT THREE FOR MANCHESTER CITY! WHAT A FANTASTIC ASSIST FROM RAYAN CHERKI! 🤯🤯
— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) December 6, 2025
Manchester City 3-0 Sunderland.pic.twitter.com/mdUNDWgHWE
After assisting in the first half, Phil Foden found a goal of his own in the second, continuing what has been a strong past few games for the English midfielder. Sunderland now drop to seventh having won just one of their last five, and for them, it is Newcastle up next as the Tyne-Wear Derby makes its long-awaited return to the topflight.
Two Penalties At St James' Park as 10-Man Burnley Fall Short Once More
It is now six defeats in a row for Burnley, who are in shambolic form at the moment, and look favourites to return to the Championship alongside Wolves despite making a promising start.
After holding on for the first half hour, it was Bruno Guimaraes who once again scored a spectacular goal to send the Magpies into the lead after the Brazilian became the first Newcastle player to score directly from a corner.
Things took a turn for the worse for the Clarets before the break too, as Lucas Pires first received a red card after fouling Anthony Elanga before the hosts were awarded and converted a penalty eight minutes into first half stoppage-time.
Scott Parker's men played out a strong second half showing, even finding a goal of their own late on through substitute Zian Flemming, who himself also converted from 12 yards to give Burnley hope - but it was too little too late as Newcastle held on to rise towards the top half.
Xavi Simons Stepped Up to Earn Comfortable Win Against Brentford
Thomas Frank got ready to host his former club this afternoon with the pressure rising on his job security, but he put any concern to bed as summer signing Xavi Simons recorded a goal and an assist to send the Lilywhites into the top half of the league table.
A majority of the 60,000 fans in attendance would certainly be delighted with how Spurs played today, with Simons first setting up Richarlison for an opener before finding his first goal for the club just 20 minutes later.
It was an excellent solo run from his own half to almost confirm three important points in the first of two London derbies this weekend.
The Bees lacked any kind of pressure in the second period, racking up just 0.29xG throughout the match as they remain in 14th place.
Liverpool's Poor Run Continues as Leeds Cause Another Shock
After defeating Chelsea comfortably in midweek, Leeds were high on confidence of causing another upset on Saturday evening, when a Liverpool side who came into the game looking to return to the top five travelled to Elland Road.
The hosts largely frustrated the visitors in the opening period, as Arne Slot's side had a lot to do after the teams went into the break at 0-0.
The second period, however, released a new lease of life on both sides as the game flew into life. First, Hugo Ekitike would find a quick-fire brace within just two minutes of each other early on in the half.
Things only got more exciting from here, however, as ex-Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted from the spot to give Leeds hope; hope that was fully-fuelled just two minutes later, as Anton Stach levelled the scores. Five minutes later and it was heartbreak for the hosts as Dominik Szoboszlai restored Liverpool's lead late on.
Ao Tanaka has scored a 96th-minute equaliser to bring Leeds level again 💥 pic.twitter.com/A3JGLMvQro
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 6, 2025
The Reds seemed like they were going to snatch a one-goal win, but it was Ao Tanaka who found himself positioned perfectly at the back post to slot home a 96th-minute leveller to earn four points from their last two as the game ended in a thrilling 3-3 tie.
With three league games to go across Sunday and Monday, there is still a lot that could change in terms of the standings heading into another exciting round of fixtures in a week's time.
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