Premier League Matchweek 26 delivered a dramatic shift in the title race as Arsenal’s advantage at the summit was reduced to four points.
The Gunners’ 1-1 draw against a resilient Brentford handed Manchester City a window to close the gap, which they took with a clinical 3-0 victory over Fulham. Meanwhile, Liverpool maintained their pursuit by ending Sunderland’s season-long unbeaten home record with a 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light.
Individual brilliance defined the weekend’s outcomes. City’s performance showcased the integration of Antoine Semenyo and Nico O’Reilly, while Erling Haaland ended his eight-game open-play drought.
At the London Stadium, Manchester United extended their unbeaten run to nine matches, largely due to Benjamin Šeško, whose 96th-minute equaliser off the bench earned him our Honourable Mention for the round.
Tactically, the premier league matchweek 26 highlighted a shift toward transitional play. Brentford’s compact shape successfully nullified Arsenal’s technical superiority, while Burnley produced a remarkable comeback at Crystal Palace. Trailing by two goals, the Clarets scored three times in seven minutes to secure their first victory since October.
Our Geeky Nigeria Team of the Week employs a 4-2-3-1 formation. We have prioritised players who dominated their positional duels and provided the tactical foundation for their respective results.
Table of Contents
Goalkeeper: The Last Barrier
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City)
Donnarumma provided the security required to maintain a clean sheet in the 3-0 victory over Fulham. The Italian recorded three saves, including a vital stop to deny Harry Wilson in the 29th minute. Finishing with a 7.1 Sofascore rating, he thwarted efforts from Raúl Jiménez and Josh King to ensure Fulham never gained a foothold. His flawless save percentage provided the foundation for a victory that compressed the title race.
The Defensive Foundation: MW26’s Best Back Four
RB: James Justin (Leeds United)
Justin produced a defensive masterclass during Leeds United’s 2-2 draw at Chelsea. Operating in a back five, he recorded nine defensive contributions, including a goal-saving clearance to deny Estêvão. Statistically, the England international was immovable, winning ten total duels against a relentless Chelsea attack. His lateral speed and positional awareness provided the stability required for Leeds to secure a vital point away from home.
RCB: Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool)
At the Stadium of Light, Konaté delivered the defensive security that allowed Liverpool to end Sunderland’s unbeaten home record. The French international provided a vital sliding challenge in the second half to deny Brian Brobbey just as the striker was about to shoot. His four clearances ensured that Alisson remained largely untested despite Sunderland’s late attempts to salvage a point, demonstrating the physical dominance required for Liverpool’s title challenge.
LCB: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
The Liverpool captain produced a performance that encapsulated complete centre-back play. Beyond his 61st-minute winner, a glanced header from a Mohamed Salah corner, Van Dijk dominated the match statistically. He won 89% of his aerial duels and made 13 clearances. His pass completion rate of 90% illustrated his dual responsibility of defending with authority while initiating Liverpool’s build-up play.
LB: Rayan Aït-Nouri (Manchester City)
Aït-Nouri was the standout left-back of the round during City’s 3-0 victory over Fulham. Having joined from Wolves in the summer of 2025, he has established himself as a vital part of Pep Guardiola’s system. He provided the tactical width that stretched Fulham’s mid-block and ensured City’s left flank remained a constant threat. Defensively, he was flawless, winning five out of five tackles and maintaining a clean sheet under second-half pressure.
Midfielders: The Core of the Formation
CDM: Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City)
The academy graduate justified Guardiola’s faith with an all-action display in City’s 3-0 victory. O’Reilly’s 30th-minute finish demonstrated his technical quality, but his deeper contributions proved equally valuable. Operating as the link between City’s defence and attack, he maintained possession circulation whilst covering defensive transitions with maturity beyond his years. His performance illustrated why Guardiola continues to trust academy products in high-stakes fixtures.
CDM: Mateus Fernandes (West Ham)
Fernandes displayed significant tactical maturity during the 1-1 draw at the London Stadium. Operating as a defensive screen, the Portuguese midfielder recorded eight recoveries and won all five of his tackles. His influence was vital in disrupting Manchester United’s transitions, as he finished with an 88% pass accuracy and five passes into the final third. His composure nearly secured a victory before the 96th-minute equaliser.
RAM: Noni Madueke (Arsenal)
The winger of Nigerian Igbo descent continued his impressive form by opening the scoring at Brentford with a powerful header just past the hour mark. Madueke’s movement stretched Brentford’s defensive shape, forcing the Bees into a deeper block that Arsenal struggled to unlock further. His ability to find space on the right flank provided the only consistent outlet for an Arsenal attack that lacked its usual urgency.
CAM: Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Palmer earned a 7.5 Sofascore rating during Chelsea’s 2-2 draw against Leeds United. He converted a 58th-minute penalty to put the Blues 2-0 ahead and provided the through ball for João Pedro’s opener. Despite Chelsea surrendering their lead, Palmer remained the game’s most creative presence, recording four key passes and completing 88% of his passes in the opposition half.
LAM: Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City)
Semenyo dominated in wide areas during City’s 3-0 win over Fulham, scoring the 24th-minute opener before assisting Nico O’Reilly six minutes later. He is the first player since Kevin De Bruyne in 2015 to score in his first two home league appearances for the club. With seven career goal involvements against the Cottagers, he remains a vital mid-season acquisition for Pep Guardiola.
The Cutting Edge: Attack
ST: Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Haaland secured a 3-0 victory over Fulham with a clinical 39th-minute strike from the edge of the area. Fed by a sharp pass from Phil Foden, his low finish moved him to 153 career goals for the club, equalling the legendary Colin Bell’s tally. Despite a half-time substitution to manage a minor niggle, his efficient display ensured Manchester City remained three points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Honourable Mention: The Super Sub
Benjamin Šeško (Manchester United)
Šeško rescued a point for Manchester United with a 96th-minute equaliser at the London Stadium. After appearing as a second-half substitute, the Slovenian striker expertly flicked Mbeumo’s cross into the top corner, ensuring Michael Carrick’s side maintained their unbeaten run.
Conclusion: Title Race Recalibration
Premier League Matchweek 26 compressed the title race to its tightest margins since November, with Arsenal’s four-point cushion representing a significant reduction from the six-point gap they briefly enjoyed after Matchweek 25. Manchester City’s clinical efficiency and Liverpool’s defensive resilience suggest the championship will be determined by psychological fortitude as much as tactical superiority. For Arsenal, the ability to recover from setbacks will prove crucial as the pressure intensifies.
As we approach Matchweek 27, the margins for error have all but evaporated. Arsenal face mounting pressure to respond against direct rivals, whilst City and Liverpool can ill-afford further slip-ups if they harbour genuine title ambitions. Every tactical adjustment, every individual moment of brilliance, and every defensive lapse now carries championship-defining weight.
Also Read: EPL Matchweek 25 Results
