EPL 2024-25: Matchweek 36 Recap

Just when it looked like things might settle, Matchweek 36 threw the table back into chaos. Liverpool and Arsenal split points in a heavyweight clash, Brentford extended their red-hot form, and Crystal Palace took down Spurs to continue their surge. Brighton kept their European dream alive, Newcastle tightened their grip on a Champions League spot, and Southampton stunned City with a historic clean sheet. At the other end, Everton confirmed safety in style, while United’s collapse deepened and Forest let another one slip.

With two matchweeks left, the margins are razor thin. From Chelsea and Villa’s push for the top four to Brentford and Brighton’s sprint toward eighth, every point matters. Matchweek 37 brings heavyweight clashes, emotional sendoffs, and decisive battles — with European places and final statements still on the line.

Fulham 1–3 Everton

Everton mounted a stunning second-half turnaround at Craven Cottage to officially end Fulham’s European hopes. Jimenez gave the hosts a deserved lead with a header off Smith Rowe’s cross, and Fulham looked in control for much of the first half. But just before the break, Mykolenko equalized via a deflection, and from there the tide turned. Keane scored on a McNeil corner to give Everton the lead, and Beto capped off a counter in the 74th minute to make it three. Fulham generated more shots and possession (18 to 11, 64 percent to 36 percent), but Pickford stood tall, including a sensational save on a shot from Wilson. Fulham stay 11th, while Everton leap to 13th and seal another year of safety.

Ipswich Town 0–1 Brentford

Brentford made it four wins in a row with a narrow but deserved win over Ipswich. Schade scored the winner with a header from a Mbeumo corner, his fourth goal in three games, as the Bees controlled the tempo and got big stops from Flekken late on. Ipswich had late chances through Burgess and Hirst but couldn’t find a way past the Brentford keeper, who preserved a clean sheet with a point-blank stop in stoppage time. Brentford are now up to eighth and level on points with Brighton in the hunt for Europe, while Ipswich remain winless in eight at home and firmly rooted in 18th.

Southampton 0–0 Manchester City

Southampton became the first bottom-three side to shut out Manchester City this season, holding firm for a stunning point at St. Mary’s. City dominated with 26 shots and 1.82 xG, but Ramsdale was heroic, making a string of crucial saves and denying Foden, Haaland, and Akanji. Marmoush even rattled the bar in stoppage time for City, but they could not find a winner. With the result, Southampton have now surpassed Derby’s all-time low points tally. For Pep’s side, the result leaves them clinging to fourth, now a point below Newcastle in third.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0–2 Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton kept their European dream alive with a professional win at Molineux. Welbeck converted from the spot for his 10th league goal after Wieffer drew a foul from Cunha, and Gruda added a late second on the counter after good work from Adingra. Wolves saw an early Welbeck goal disallowed by VAR but failed to truly test Verbruggen, managing just 0.91 xG. Wolves have now lost back-to-back games after a string of positive results, while the Seagulls jump to ninth and now sit level on points with Brentford for eighth place.

AFC Bournemouth 0–1 Aston Villa

Villa continued their Champions League pursuit with a gritty win at the Vitality. Watkins’ strike in the final minutes of the first half, his record-breaking 75th Premier League goal for the club, was enough to seal all three points. Bournemouth had late chances to equalize, including a golden one for Jebbison that was headed over from a yard out. Martinez made key saves late, and despite Ramsey’s red card in the 80th minute, Villa held firm. Emery’s side are now sixth on goal difference, level with Chelsea.

Newcastle United 2–0 Chelsea

Newcastle took a huge step toward UCL qualification with a commanding win over 10-man Chelsea. Tonali scored inside two minutes, and Guimarães sealed it with a deflected strike at the death. Jackson’s first-half red card after an elbow on Botman left Chelsea chasing the match despite controlling 55 percent possession. Pope came up big, especially to deny Cucurella and James, and the Magpies’ back three held strong. Chelsea drop to fifth and lose momentum at the worst time, with top four still the goal but quickly slipping away.

Manchester United 0–2 West Ham United

Another low point in United’s disastrous season. Souček and Bowen scored either side of halftime, both assisted by former United man Wan-Bissaka, as West Ham snapped an eight-game winless run with a clinical display at Old Trafford. United had more shots and xG (2.23 to 1.76) but were wasteful in the final third and were denied repeatedly by Areola. Amorim’s side have now gone seven without a win in the league and sink to 16th, dangerously close to the drop zone despite no chance of it.

Nottingham Forest 2–2 Leicester City

Forest twice led but couldn’t hold on at home against already-relegated Leicester. Gibbs-White canceled out Coady’s opener before the break, and Chris Wood restored Forest’s lead with his 20th goal of the season. Buonanotte then equalized with a tidy finish in the 81st minute, and 15-year-old Jeremy Monga nearly won it at the death for the Foxes, only to be denied by Sels. Forest move back to seventh, but this was a missed opportunity in their European push.

Tottenham Hotspur 0–2 Crystal Palace

Palace dominated Spurs in North London, dealing a blow to their hosts’ fading chances of a stronger finish to the league. Eze scored in first-half stoppage time and again early in the second half, both times after wide play from Munoz and Sarr. Palace had two goals disallowed before breaking through. Spurs looked flat and out of ideas, finishing with just one shot on target. Palace are up to 12th, while Spurs remain 17th with just two matches to go and their eyes on the Europa League final.

Liverpool 2–2 Arsenal

A heavyweight clash that lived up to its name. Liverpool raced out to a 2–0 lead through Gakpo and Diaz, capitalizing on shambolic defending from the Gunners. But Arsenal roared back, first through Martinelli’s header, then an Odegaard strike that was followed through by Merino after a rebound. Merino was later sent off, which took the sting out of Arsenal’s comeback, but Raya’s late save on Van Dijk preserved the point. Liverpool extend their unbeaten run to 12, while Arsenal cling to second ahead of Newcastle by two points.

EPL 2024-25: Matchweek 37 Preview

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2025

Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur – 2:30 PM EST

Villa remain unbeaten at home since November and come into this off a gritty win over Bournemouth. With two matches left and the top five still within reach, with Villa on level with points with Chelsea, they’ll be going full tilt. Tottenham, on the other hand, will likely rotate heavily with their Europa League final looming next week, and have also lost seven of their last ten. Even if they go full strength, this feels like a Villa win.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2–0 Tottenham Hotspur

Chelsea vs Manchester United – 3:15 PM EST

Chelsea’s late-season form hit a wall at Newcastle, but they’ve won four of their last five at the Bridge and remain a top-four contender. United, meanwhile, have lost five of their last seven and have one eye on the Europa League final. Even if they rest a few players, Chelsea should have the quality to get it done.

Prediction: Chelsea 3–1 Manchester United

SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2025

Everton vs Southampton – 7:00 AM EST

Everton have secured survival and are coming off their most complete performance in weeks. Southampton have already gone down but showed resolve against City. This could be a cagey affair, but Everton should be able to ride their momentum and send the home fans off happy.

Prediction: Everton 2–0 Southampton

West Ham United vs Nottingham Forest – 9:15 AM EST

Forest blew a lead at home last weekend and can’t afford more dropped points if they want to lock up a top-five finish. West Ham just picked up their first win in nine and should be motivated by that result. Moyes may rotate slightly, but this is a winnable match for a Hammers side chasing a finish as close to the top ten as possible.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2–1 West Ham United

Brentford vs Fulham – 10:00 AM EST

Two sides who’ve hovered around the edge of European qualification square off in a London derby. Brentford are unbeaten in five and in great scoring form, while Fulham just had their hopes officially ended with a loss to Everton. I expect goals, but Brentford look the sharper side right now to walk away with the win at home.

Prediction: Brentford 2–1 Fulham

Leicester City vs Ipswich Town – 10:00 AM EST

Already-relegated Leicester and Ipswich face off in a match with little but pride on the line. Ipswich are winless in nine, while Leicester haven’t won in four. This could be a more open match than expected, and with both sides wanting to go out on a high, I’ll back the Foxes to edge it.

Prediction: Leicester City 2–1 Ipswich Town

Arsenal vs Newcastle United – 11:30 AM EST

A massive clash with top-three implications. Arsenal came back from 2–0 down last week but could not grab the winner, while Newcastle are fresh off a dominant display against Chelsea in which they leapfrogged them into top four. I expect intensity and big moments, but the Magpies’ recent form and desire to keep the run moving might prove too much for an Arsenal side that seems out of sorts since their elimination from the Champions League.

Prediction: Newcastle United 2–1 Arsenal

MONDAY, MAY 19, 2025

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Liverpool – 3:00 PM EST

Liverpool blew a 2–0 lead last week but are still unbeaten in 12. Brighton just kept a clean sheet at Molineux and beat an in-form Wolves team 2–0, but this is a much tougher task against the champions. With form and firepower on their side, Liverpool should take care of business in this one, although Brighton will need the three points for a top-eight finish.

Prediction: Liverpool 2–0 Brighton

TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025

Crystal Palace vs Wolverhampton Wanderers – 3:00 PM EST

Palace just stunned Spurs and are on a four-match unbeaten run. They’ll be buzzing after reaching the FA Cup final and could rotate here, but they’ve still got the quality to trouble a Wolves side that’s lost two straight. This one could be tight, but Palace’s current edge and confidence might be enough.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 2–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Manchester City vs AFC Bournemouth – 3:00 PM EST

City haven’t lost in nine, but that 0–0 draw at Southampton might have deflated their top-four push. Still, they return home to face a Bournemouth team with a top-eight race left to chase but their chances are looking slimmer by the day. The Cherries could be dangerous on the counter, but City’s control and urgency to get back on track should prove too much.

Prediction: Manchester City 2–0 AFC Bournemouth