United Victorious and Are Wolves Back? Premier League Round 22 in Review

United Victorious and Are Wolves Back? Premier League Round 22 in Review

There were nine important matches in the Premier League this weekend before Brighton host Bournemouth on Monday evening as sides are chasing both safety and the European places.

There were plenty of storylines this weekend, with Michael Carrick kicking off his reign at Old Trafford in spectacular fashion, and Wolves slowly but surely making an incredible fightback at the bottom end of the table.

With just 14 goals from these games, Football Park are here to give you the rundown of the weekend's events.

Title Contenders Halted and Manchester is Red

Manchester United 2-0 Manchester City - Mbeumo (65'), Dorgu (76').

The weekend began in Manchester as Carrick conducted the Red Devils for the first time during his interim reign. After a miserable Ruben Amorim era, United searched for a first win over their foes since 2024.

City started the day six points behind leaders Arsenal and hoped to half the gap before the Gunners played later on in the afternoon. Meanwhile, United entered the derby knowing that victory would leap into the top four temporarily.

And what was to come was masterful from the Red Devils. They put the pressure on well in the early stages, while keeping their rivals to just one shot on target all game. Gianluigi Donnarumma was certainly worked in goal throughout, making five strong saves, but twice he was left powerless and twice United struck in the second period.

Talisman Bruno Fernandes spearheaded the charge on the counter attack before providing a tidy assist to Bryan Mbeumo to thump the hosts ahead just after the hour mark on his return of the African Cup of Nations.

Patrick Dorgu then made it two 15 minutes from time to ensure Carrick's tenure got off to a perfect start, a performance which also held City's title charge for the fourth time in a row, with the Cityzens now without a league win in four.

Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal

Next up, it was Arsenal's turn to take to centre stage, as they sought out to extend their lead nine and practically wrap up their first title in two decades in many fans' eyes.

For Forest, they came into this clash just four points above the safety zone following West Ham's clutch finish late on earlier in the day.

A game completely dominated by the visitors from the outset, who managed to produce an xG of 2.10 from 15 shots, but there was one man who frustrated them throughout. Matz Sels.

Matz Sels with a brilliant save to deny Bukayo Saka 🧤@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/3SczvuCAKo

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 17, 2026

The Belgian had a magnificent performance, making three incredible saves to ensure his side would come away with a crucial point against the league leaders another point further away from West Ham and therefore the drop zone.

As for Mikel Arteta, it was a huge blunder and missed opportunity, opening the door for Aston Villa on Sunday to close the gap to the top.

Aston Villa 0-1 Everton - Barry (59').

One of just two matches on Super Sunday, and to be honest, there was not much 'Super' about it. Only one goal was scored on the day, and unfortunately for Villa, it went the way of the visitors at Villa Park.

The pressure was near all-Villa from the outset, with them eager to pounce upon the slip-ups made by the other two title chasers. They racked up 18 shots, producing 1.36 xG and look a sure thing to take the lead.

That was until Thierno Barry continued his spectacular run of form under David Moyes to make it his fourth goal in eight starts. A shot initailly saved but parried from Emiliano Martinez who certainly should have done better was played perfectly into the path of Barry, who dinked it towards the back post so delicately to put the Toffees in front on the hour.

That victory saw them surge into the top 10, as they collected their ninth win of the campaign, while Villa move down to third.

Are Wolves Back?

Wolves 0-0 Newcastle

Now we head down to the bottom of the table as Wolves were hoping to continue their unprecedented unbeaten run considering the first 18 games of their campaign when they welcomed Newcastle to Molineux.

After beating both West Ham and Shrewsbury Town, Wolves were actually hunting their third consecutive home win, but a recently impressive Magpies side were in their way, as they looked to poach three points themselves.

In reality, it was a very dry game of very few things to touch on. Jose Sa did pick up the Player of the Match award thanks to his two saves which frustrated a relatively lacklustre Newcastle side who missed out on an opportunity to move up to fifth.

Wolves are now five games unbeaten, however, and move up to eight points, and are now only three points off the unwanted record of Derby County.

London Derbies Deliver While More Londoners Suffer

Chelsea 2-0 Brentford - Pedro (26'), Palmer (76' pen).

Liam Rosenior took charge of his maiden Premier League fixture for Chelsea, in what was in third match in the dugout and they prepared to take on a red-hot Brentford side who not only started the day above the Blues, but also on a six-game unbeaten run.

Chances were flying in the opening half hour, with the visitors missing a sitter through Kevin Schade who chose to pass to Mikkel Damsgaard rather than taking the shot which would have been the much easier option.

Just a few minutes later Joao Pedro had a penalty shout waved away before he eventually gave the Blues the lead. Enzo Fernandez stepped in on the edge of the box to disposses Michael Kayode, before the ball came Pedro who thumped it on the turn into the roof of the net.

The chances kept on coming, however, as the Bees put on the pressure and forced Robert Sanchez into a number of strong saves. Igor Thiago had a strong opportunity to grab his 17th goal of the term, but headed wide as his team continued to trail.

Chelsea eventually got the opportunity to make it 2-0, when substitute Liam Delap was brought down by Caoimhin Kelleher in the box, before Cole Palmer sent the Irishman the wrong way to secure an important win to move Chelsea into the top six.

Tottenham 1-2 West Ham - Romero (64'); Summerville (15'), Wilson (90+3').

Another London derby occurred at 3pm and it was relegation threatened West Ham United who travelled to North London to take on under fire Thomas Frank's Tottenham with both sides desperate for three points.

The visitors were the side on top early on and their bright start was shown on the scoreline too, as Crysencio Summerville's strike was deflected past the helpless Guglielmo Vicario to put the Hammers in front.

Chances continued to fly as Alphonse Areola was made into a few good saves, keeping his side in front. Valentin Castellanos then came close to head his side into a two-goal cushion, but his effort flew narrowly wide. This was then capitalised on by Christian Romero, who blasted a header of his own into the net, leaving Areola no chance on this occasion.

West Ham were not put off by this, however, and the Hammers did not sit back to defend the point, but increased the tempo as they searched for a late winner. A chance then came three minutes into injury-time which fell to Callum Wilson - who has already been surrounded by transfer saga, linking him to Celtic - who squeezed it home in a horrendous goal line scramble to secure a vital three points for Nuno Espirito Santo as his side's bid for survival surged on.

🗣 "I might be back for a job soon, you never know!" 😅

Despite his future at West Ham being uncertain, Callum Wilson was the match winner against Spurs 💪 pic.twitter.com/yA6FgyA6BS

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 17, 2026

Sunderland 2-1 Crystal Palace - Le Fee (33'), Brobbey (71'); Pino (30').

Misery continued to pile on South Londoners Crystal Palace, who fell to their third defeat in four games as they failed to see a response to last week's monumental upset to sixth-tier Maccelsfield.

As for Sunderland, it was yet another strong performance as they leaped back into the top half and picked up their eighth victory inside 22 matches as they continued their unbeaten start to the campaign at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats dominated the fixture, creating more xG, producing more shots, shots on target and possession than the visitors, who had already suffered a losing trip to the North East in 2026.

The Eagles actually found themselves a one-goal lead in the opening half hour as Yeremy Pino capitalised well on Sunderland's failure to clear a corner as he chipped it over Robin Roefs to put them in front.

The hosts quickly got themselves back into the game, however, as Nordi Mukiele's low-driven cross was latched on to by Enzo Le Fee to level the scores going into the interval. 19 minutes from time, Brian Brobbey secured an important win for the hosts as his elevated effort kissed the crossbar and earned Regis Le Bris' side their first win since Christmas.

Leeds 1-0 Fulham - Nmecha (90+1').

The sixth team in action from the 3pm Saturday kickoffs now as Fulham headed to Elland Road looking for their fifth win against the Whites in all competitions. Leeds looked to build on their strong FA Cup win over Derby County with a win here to extend their gap to the relegation zone.

The game was relatively chanceless throughout, especially in the Leeds half with Karl Darlow making just one save all afternoon, while Bernd Leno was worked more, making four.

Perhaps it was rather deserved that Leeds ended up taking home the victory, and they should have led into the break, with Brenden Aaronson failing to make it four goals in his last three starts after he blazed a simple effort high and wide.

Daniel Farke's side were made to wait and wait long, however, as their chances to win didn't come until substitute Felix Nmecha sent the stadium into raptures in second half stoppage-time after he converted Ethan Ampadu's cross for a vital three points.

Pressure Climbing on Slot

Liverpool 1-1 Burnley - Wirtz (42'); Edwards (65').

The last game to touch on in this round up was an interesting affair at Anfield, as Liverpool hosted Scott Parker's Burnley in what many would have though an easy win for the Reds would be incoming.

Burnley' however, had other ideas as the Clarets frustrated Liverpool for much of the game, and really made them graft for a first half lead. For many, 32 shots would easily be enough to see of most teams, but Liverpool struggled to make the most of their 73% possession and convert their chances.

Since his first league goal involvement against Spurs, Florian Wirtz continued his good form since, and found his sixth goal contribution in just seven games as his stunning effort gave the Reds a lead heading into the break.

Shortly after play resumed, Liverpool came close to going two goals to the good, Dominik Szoboszlai saw his spot-kick hit the bar and bounce out, giving Burnley a lifeline. The visitors then found their equalising goal, courtesy of a sublime finish from Marcus Edwards.

The hosts have now extended their unbeaten run to 12 games, but the number of draws in this run do not sit well with the board, and Arne Slot's job is becoming more fragile after this draw against Burnley, which would have felt like a defeat.

For Parker, it would have felt like a win, however, and despite the Clarets still winless in 13, that point puts them within three of West Ham, but still eight from safety.

Did Liverpool and Arne Slot take a step backwards today after relegation-threatened Burnley came away with a point at Anfield? ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/dQ9sagodYY

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 17, 2026