Premier League 2025-26 review: matches of the season | Premier League

It is rare for a centre-forward to score a hat-trick and still be disappointed, but in the 10th minute of stoppage time, Jean-Philippe Mateta has a golden chance to win this pulsating affair for Crystal Palace. He clatters the ball down to South Norwood from eight yards out. Even before that it’s a rollercoaster of emotion for all concerned. Eaglesfall 2-0 behind in the 37th minute after Junior Kroupi’s double. On 63 minutes, Mateta’s first Premier League goal of the season at Selhurst Park sparks home hope after a lengthy video assistant referee check for offside. Five minutes later, the Frenchman stretches to turn in a ball from Daniel Muñoz: 2-2. When James Tavernier rifles a low cross into the six-yard box in the 89th minute, Ryan Christie slams it in, seemingly snatching glory. There is time for Mateta to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot before missing his late chance.

This nine-goal thriller merits inclusion, even if from a defensive point of view, it resembles two drunks fighting in an alley (© Eamon Dunphy). It was notable for being City’s 19th consecutive victory over Fulham (a sequence now extended to 20) and for Erling Haaland notching 100 Premier League goals – 13 matches faster than Alan Shearer. Had the Norway international not hit the woodwork twice, it may have finished 7-4 to City. Equally, had Josko Gvardiol failed to clear Josh King’s stoppage-time cross off the line, it might have ended up 5-5. Samuel Chukweze’s double (after 71 and 77 minutes) ensures a frantic finish: Rúben Dias is visibly furious with his teammate, Bernardo Silva, for not closing down Chukweze before his first. There’s also a sensational hit by Phil Foden, a wonderfully controlled curling finish by Alex Iwobi and a brilliant assist by Haaland for Tijjani Reijnders for City’s second. Pure, uncut soccer.

Dominik Szoboszlai’s nonchalant, viciously swerving free-kick slams in off a post and prompts Virgil van Dijk, his Liverpool teammate, to clutch his head in disbelief. Liverpool lead with 16 minutes left – tantalisingly close to a morale-boosting win. “City need something,” says Gary Neville. “They need [Erling] Haaland, [Antoine] Semenyo, [Bernardo] Silva to step up.” Cue Haaland immediately nodding down for Silva to stab in, before Haaland coolly strokes in a stoppage-time penalty after Alisson’s foul on Matheus Nunes. All over? Not even close: Gianluigi Donnarumma brilliantly palms away a spectacular effort by Alexis Mac Allister nine minutes into added time. Then, with Alisson upfield, Szoboszlai and Haaland engage in a slapstick-comedy sprint when chasing a long-range effort by Rayan Cherki, taking turns to pull each other back before the untouched ball rolls into the net. The VAR has a look, Szoboszlai is sent off and City seal a chaotic triumph to reignite their pursuit of Arsenal.

“Had a bit of everything … Far too much drama for my liking.” That was the assessment of Keith Andrews after Brentford edged a mesmerising seven-goal encounter on the edge of the Pennines. Mikkel Damsgaard’s bullet header opens the scoring on eight minutes and his perfect pass to Igor Thiago allows the Brazilian to make it 2-0. Kevin Schade rams home for 3-0, after 33min, and the game appears to be up. But this is the Premier League. A Michael Kayode own goal and a deflected effort by Jaidon Anthony makes it 3-2 before Zian Flemming nods in a sumptuous cross by Hannibal Mejbri. The VAR adjudges Anthony a fraction offside for what might be Burnley’s winner – and Damsgaard soon tucks in at the other end: 4-3. Ashley Barnes thrashes home soon after to send Turf Moor wild, but again the VAR isn’t happy – the stoppage-time strike is disallowed for handball.

There is more than just local pride riding on this Tyne-Wear derby. Newcastle are reeling from a midweek 7-2 drubbing by Barcelona (8-3 aggregate) in the Champions League: they are also desperate to avoid a second league defeat to their bitter rivals, having lost 1-0 at the Stadium of Light in December. When Luke O’Nien’s defensive howler allows Anthony Gordon to put the Magpies in front after 10 minutes they are looking good. But after that a miserly, efficient display from Sunderland preys on Newcastle’s increasingly frayed nerves, with Chemsdine Talbi tucking in the equaliser on 57 minutes. It is left to the outstanding Black Cats forward Brian Brobbey, having produced a classic centre-forward’s performance, to score the last-minute winner, the Dutchman being teed up by the substitute Enzo Le Fée. “This was just brilliant. Breathless, edgy, end-to-end brilliant,” commented stooze BTL, which summed it up nicely.