English Premier League: The fierce battle for the Top 4

After a series of draws and losses, Arsenal secured a victory to firmly claim first place with 53 points, extending their lead to 6 points over the second-placed team.

Man City and Aston Villa continue to chase closely in the next two positions. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Liverpool both won their matches, adding fuel to the Top 4 race.

In round 24, Arsenal defeated Leeds United 4-0 away from home. This win not only relieved the Gunners after three winless games but also temporarily restored their gap over Manchester City in the title race this season.

Arsenal’s consistent performance across all four competitions highlights their solid foundation during the mid-season period, when the schedule is packed and pressure mounts. Their ability to rotate the squad effectively while maintaining quality is seen as a key factor keeping the Gunners hopeful for a deep run in the title race. The points advantage in the Premier League will also give coach Mikel Arteta more options to rotate players and maintain stability during the crucial phase of the season.

The late matches of round 24 in the Premier League were also thrilling, featuring dramatic chases in games involving the two Manchester representatives.

Manchester United keeps thriving under interim manager Michael Carrick with a 3-2 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford. This result extends MU’s winning streak to three games under Carrick’s temporary leadership. Beyond the points, the spirit reminiscent of the Sir Alex Ferguson era is toughness, resilience, and always delivering a decisive blow in the second half.

In all three recent Premier League wins, MU settled the game in the second half. The common thread is the Red Devils’ endurance, tactical adjustments, and then striking decisively when opponents start to lose focus. This is the classic MU style of the past.

This impressive form also helps the Old Trafford side climb back into the Premier League Top 4 with 41 points, one and two points ahead of rivals Chelsea and Liverpool respectively.

In the highlight match of this round, second-placed Man City was held to a 2-2 draw by Tottenham. Pep Guardiola’s team started perfectly with two first-half goals from Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo. However, in the second half, Dominic Solanke shone with a brace to help Tottenham earn a point against the Manchester side.

With this draw, Man City gained only one point and fell further behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race this season.

Earlier, both Liverpool and Chelsea won to keep the Top 4 contest exciting.

Liverpool showed more energy and emotion compared to previous matches. Their 4-1 emphatic win over Newcastle not only improved the Merseyside club’s league standing but also relieved significant pressure after a period of underwhelming performances. Their fast-paced, sharp transitions consistently put the opponent’s goal under threat.

After 24 rounds, Chelsea has 40 points, Liverpool 39. The race for Champions League qualification next season is becoming increasingly fierce, as every point can make a big difference. This tight competition at the top reflects not only the progress of the mid-table teams but also the slowdown of the traditional “big clubs.” With the Top 6 unable to pull away and the middle pack improving simultaneously, even a single win can change the entire season.

Round 25 of the Premier League will be highly anticipated with a blockbuster clash between Liverpool and Manchester City. The outcome of this match will greatly impact the Top 4 battle.

Also in this round, English football fans eagerly await the showdown between MU and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.

Premier League Round 25 Schedule
February 7
3:00 AM: Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest
7:30 PM: MU vs Tottenham Hotspur
10:00 PM: AFC Bournemouth vs Aston Villa
10:00 PM: Arsenal vs Sunderland
10:00 PM: Burnley vs West Ham United
10:00 PM: Fulham vs Everton
10:00 PM: Wolverhampton vs Chelsea

February 8
12:30 AM: Newcastle United vs Brentford
9:00 PM: Brighton & Hove Albion vs Crystal Palace
11:30 PM: Liverpool vs Manchester City