There are a few places I could start but let me begin in west London, even though it may not be the obvious place to begin.
That’s because no sooner had this SBOTOP scribe told you that Brighton’s bubble had burst, they went and won a Premier League game and had a record breaker in their ranks.
A 2-0 success at Brentford was their first league victory since January 3 and went some way to easing the pressure on young manager Fabian Hurzeler.
Diego Gomez put the Seagulls ahead on the half hour before the evergreen Danny Welbeck capitalised on a defensive mistake to double the lead on the stroke of half-time.
A memorable afternoon for the club also saw veteran midfielder James Milner play all bar the closing stages as the 40 year-old broke Gareth Barry’s long-standing Premier League appearance record with Milner, whose former clubs include Leeds, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Liverpool, making his 654th top flight outing.
While Brighton were enjoying a welcome win, two sides chasing Champions League places had disappointing afternoons, although their respective feelings at full-time may have been contrasting.
Third-placed Aston Villa had experienced a frustrating time of it and trailed at home to Leeds until two minutes from time. That was when substitute Tammy Abraham scored his first Premier League goal for the club following his return from Besiktas in an £18.2 million deal last month.
That rescued a point after Leeds looked like they may secure only their second away win of the campaign after a quite superb 30-yard free-kick from Anton Stach (even if there were question marks against the positioning of home goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
There was no question Villa deserved their point, however, as they dominated after going behind and it was left to Abraham to flick the ball into the net with his knee after Ezri Konsa had knocked it down from a corner.
While Villa boss Unai Emery is managing a depleted squad, the same cannot be said of big-spending Chelsea who were left ultra frustrated when basement battlers Burnley netted a last-gasp equaliser at Stamford Bridge.
I have long said that, for all their silverware last term – the Europa Conference (aimed at smaller clubs) and the unofficial World Club Championship (Paris St Germain won the main event) – Chelsea have not managed to be the sharp end for the major trophies since Roman Abramovich sold the club in 2022.
But that does not excuse a record this term which has seen them drop a league‑high 17 points from winning positions at home.
They also have six red cards, more than any other team in the Premier League, and eight in all competitions, and it was the latest dismissal on Saturday that likely cost them maximum points (although their 1-1 draw does move them up to fourth place).
It looked as though the match would go exactly to plan when the livewire that is Joao Pedro bundled the home side ahead from a Pedro Neto cross just four minutes in.
Yet, despite their dominance for long periods, the contest changed with 18 minutes remaining when Wesley Fofana was shown a second yellow card for a tackle on new Clarets’ recruit James Ward‑Prowse.
It has always surprised me why Ward-Prowse has not featured more for fellow strugglers West Ham this term but his on loan arrival has undoubtedly strengthened Burnley’s hand and, while it will almost certainly not be enough to save them from the drop, the quality is clear.
That was evident when he delivered a 93rd minute corner from which Zian Flemming was left unmarked to head home and earn Scott Parker’s side a point.
With Burnley and Wolves all but doomed, it seems the battle to avoid the final relegation spot will be played out between West Ham and Nottingham Forest.
The Hammers had a real chance to apply some pressure and move level on points with Forest as they entertained Bournemouth on Saturday teatime.
Both teams had their moments but the goalless draw leaves them in 18th position.
They are two points nearer to Forest though after they suffered last-gasp heartbreak at home to top four chasing Liverpool.
Superb in Vitor Periera’s first game in charge in the Europa League in midweek, they probably deserved a share of the spoils in this encounter only to be beaten by an Alexis Mac Allister finish in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
As for the title race, that is also a two-team battle and Manchester City did their bit with a 2-1 home win over Newcastle.
Their matchwinner may have been an unexpected choice as it was Nico O’Reilly’s two first-half goals, either side of a Lewis Hall equaliser, which sealed the points.
That closed the gap to two points to put the pressure on Arsenal ahead of their trip to arch-rivals Spurs for the North London derby.
The Premier League 2026 betting odds have shortened on City in recent weeks after Arsenal were held in successive games at Brentford and Wolves.
However, in Eberechi Eze they had the man to deliver welcome Premier League 2026 highlights for the Gunners.
In fact, if last season’s FA Cup Final matchwinner could play against Spurs every week, Arsenal would be further clear at the top.
His double, alongside a Viktor Gyokeres strike, meant boyhood Arsenal fan Eze now has five goals against Spurs (the side he was on the verge of joining last summer until they intervened) this season.
For Spurs, who are only four points clear of the drop zone – though too good to become embroiled in a dogfight – this was a hammer blow in interim manager Igor Tudor’s first game in charge. In Randal Kolo Muani, Spurs had a frontman who deserved better – he scored their goal and had one disallowed – but few could dispute the better team won.
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