Arsenal ended 2025 in emphatic fashion, hammering Aston Villa 4-1 to sit five points clear at the Premier League summit, while it was a mixed bag elsewhere on a busy Tuesday night of top-flight action.
The Gunners were brilliant in the second half at the Emirates, with Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus all finding the net before Ollie Watkins grabbed a late consolation for the visitors.
Elsewhere, Chelsea’s wobble continued as they drew 2-2 with Bournemouth, Manchester United were booed off after a frustrating 1-1 stalemate with Wolves, and West Ham couldn’t shake their Brighton hoodoo in another 2-2 thriller.
Newcastle picked up a much-needed away victory at Turf Moor, beating struggling Burnley 3-1, while Everton saw off Nottingham Forest 2-0.
Chelsea were held at home to make it one win in seven Premier League matches
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Chelsea’s woes under Enzo Maresca showed no signs of easing as they managed just one victory in their last seven league outings.
The Blues found themselves behind early when David Brooks struck for the Cherries, though Cole Palmer restored parity from the penalty spot.
Enzo Fernandez then fired Chelsea ahead, but they simply couldn’t hold onto their advantage.
Justin Kluivert pounced before half-time to level things up, converting after Antoine Semenyo’s long throw was accidentally flicked towards the far post by Trevoh Chalobah.
It was a performance that highlighted Chelsea’s ongoing issues – a lack of commanding leadership at the back and in the middle of the park, combined with a frustrating inability to convert the numerous opportunities that came their way.
Newcastle claimed just their second away triumph of the Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 3-1 success at Turf Moor.
Newcastle clinched a much-needed victory over Burnley with Yoane Wissa among the goals
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Joelinton got the Magpies off to a flying start, netting after just 65 seconds – his first top-flight goal in a full year.
Yoane Wissa doubled the advantage six minutes later, marking his maiden league start for Newcastle with a goal to match.
Josh Laurent pulled one back for the Clarets in the 23rd minute, and the hosts dominated after the break without finding an equaliser.
Bruno Guimaraes sealed the points in added time, pouncing on a defensive error to fire home from 25 yards.
The result leaves Burnley without a win in 10 matches and sitting six points adrift of safety.
James Garner came back to haunt his old club as Everton cruised to a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.
The midfielder, who spent 18 months on loan at the City Ground and helped Forest secure promotion, showed no mercy as he bagged one goal and set up Thierno Barry’s second-half strike.
David Moyes’ side snapped a three-game winless run, beating Forest for the second time in less than a month – piling more pressure on former Toffees boss Sean Dyche.
West Ham, meanwhile, remain in serious bother after Brighton held them to a 2-2 draw in a chaotic affair.
The Hammers led 2-1 and were on course to close the gap to safety to just two points, but Joel Veltman’s scrambled equaliser extended their remarkable record of never having beaten Brighton at home in nine Premier League meetings.
Brighton scrambled in a late equaliser to make sure West Ham’s poor form continues
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Manchester United’s struggles continued as Wolves held them to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, with home supporters making their frustration clear at the final whistle.
Missing eight first-team players through injuries and international duty, Ruben Amorim’s side took the lead through Joshua Zirkzee’s deflected effort in the 27th minute.
But Wolves grew into the contest and Ladislav Krejci headed home from close range after being left unmarked at the far post.
Goalkeeper Senne Lammens kept United in it with several saves, while Jose Sa was penalised for holding the ball longer than eight seconds – only the third time the new rule has been enforced this season.
Ladislav Krejci’s equaliser earned Wolves a point at Old Trafford – just their third of the entire season
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Patrick Dorgu thought he’d won it late on for United, but VAR ruled the goal out for offside.
The draw ends Wolves’ 11-match losing streak, though they remain 15 points from safety.
