EPL Matchweek 16 Recap: Arsenal Survive Scare, Man City Close Gap, Forest Thrash Spurs – Premier League Weekend Highlights December 2025

The Premier League delivered another thrilling weekend in Matchweek 16, with late drama, big wins, and derby delight. As the festive fixtures approach, the title race heated up while relegation battles intensified. Here's a full roundup of the action from December 13-15, 2025.Saturday's fixtures kicked off with several key clashes. Arsenal, looking to maintain their lead at the top, hosted bottom-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates. What should have been a routine win turned into a nervy affair, with Wolves showing spirit. A dramatic 94th-minute own goal handed the Gunners a 2-1 victory, extending their advantage temporarily.Liverpool kept pace with a solid 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield, while Chelsea cruised to a 2-0 victory against Everton at Stamford Bridge, thanks to goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto. In another entertaining encounter, Fulham came from behind to beat Burnley 3-2 away. Sunday brought more excitement. Manchester City continued their strong form with a convincing 3-0 win at Crystal Palace, with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden starring. Pep Guardiola's side closed the gap on leaders Arsenal to just two points.The Tyne-Wear derby lived up to the hype as promoted Sunderland stunned Newcastle United 1-0, earning massive bragging rights. Nottingham Forest produced one of the performances of the weekend, thrashing Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 at the City Ground. Aston Villa edged West Ham 3-2 in a thriller, and Brentford shared points with Leeds United in a 1-1 draw. Key Talking Points from the WeekendArsenal's Title Grit: Despite a patchy performance, the late own goal win showed the champions' mentality of defending Liverpool. Mikel Arteta's side now face tougher tests ahead. Man City's Momentum: Four straight league wins, including this rout, have City breathing down Arsenal's neck. Haaland's clinical finishing remains a huge threat. Tottenham in Crisis: A 3-0 humiliation at Forest piles pressure on the manager. Spurs' inconsistent form sees them slipping down the table. Derby Joy for Sunderland: Beating rivals Newcastle is a massive boost for the newly promoted side, highlighting the Premier League's unpredictability. Fulham's Entertainment: Their comeback at Burnley confirms them as one of the most watchable teams this season. Impact on the Premier League TableArsenal remain top, but Manchester City's win keeps the pressure on. Liverpool stay in the hunt, while Chelsea climb into the top four. At the bottom, Wolves' fightback earns them a point in spirit but none on the board, keeping them rooted. Promoted teams Sunderland and Burnley show varying fortunes.With the busy Christmas period looming, including midweek Carabao Cup ties, teams will need squad depth. Next weekend promises more drama as the race for Europe and survival intensifies.The Premier League never disappoints, and this weekend was no exception – full of goals, surprises, and storylines. Stay tuned for more as the 2025-26 season unfolds.For live updates, highlights, and fixtures, check official sources like the Premier League website or NBC Sports.