Premier League Matchday 22 Roundup

Last Updated on January 20, 2026 11:22 am by Erwin Noguera

Matchday 22 of the 2025/26 Premier League was a weekend full of twists, unexpected results, and significant movements at the top of the table. Between big clashes, draws that left a bitter taste, and key wins for teams under pressure, the round once again showed that the English league leaves no room for complacency, especially at this stage, where every point can alter the race for the title, European places, or survival.

One of the main focuses was on the fight for the top, where the weekend’s results reshuffled the deck. The Manchester derby changed the pace of the tournament, Arsenal failed to capitalize on the opportunity to pull away, and an inconsistent Liverpool once again left doubts at home. All this added tension to a battle that, far from being decided, remains completely open as the schedule begins to take its physical and mental toll.

At the same time, the matchday also had an impact on the middle and bottom of the table. Teams in need picked up points that could be worth their weight in gold in April, while others let opportunities slip away in favorable contexts.

At Gambyl Exchange, you can explore all the predictions for the Premier League, the final bets for this matchday, and the odds for each match.

Premier League Matchday 22 Games

Premier League Matchday 22 Roundup: Manchester United vs. Manchester City

The first big headline of the weekend came from Old Trafford, where Michael Carrick had a dream debut as Manchester United manager. His debut came in nothing less than a derby against Guardiola’s City, and he sealed it with a 2-0 win that boosted the confidence of the dressing room and gave new impetus to the project following the departure of Ruben Amorim.

The match started with a lot of intensity and a fairly tight script. City tried to set the tone with the ball, while United responded with defensive discipline and transitions led by Bruno Fernandes. Before the break, the clearest chance fell to the home side: a header from Harry Maguire that kissed the crossbar and ignited the stadium, although the score remained 0-0.

The breakthrough came in the second half. In the 65th minute, Bryan Mbeumo finished off a counterattack led by Fernandes to make it 1-0. That blow disarmed City and strengthened United, who ten minutes later extended their lead through Patrick Dorgu, who finished with his left foot after a pass from Matheus Cunha. Near the end, Mason Mount scored a third goal that was disallowed after a VAR review, leaving the final score unchanged.

The victory left the Red Devils with 35 points in fourth place, while City remained in second place with 43 points. Beyond the symbolic impact of the derby, the result also opens up a favorable scenario for the leaders, Arsenal, who had the opportunity to extend their lead. For Carrick, it was a perfect night: debut, classic, clean sheet, and a dressing room that responded to him.

Result: Manchester United 2–0 Manchester City

Premier League Matchday 22 Roundup: Liverpool vs. Burnley

At Anfield, Arne Slot’s Liverpool stumbled again and dropped two points against a Burnley side that came in needing points, competed well, and got their reward. The 1-1 final score left mixed feelings and highlighted the team’s lack of consistency, as it was unable to string together wins in the tournament.

The Reds took the lead at the end of the first half with a goal from Florian Wirtz in the 42nd minute, after a collective move that left him space inside the area to finish comfortably. The home side’s dominance did not translate into a bigger lead, and the game remained alive for the second half.

The visitors equalized in the 65th minute when Marcus Edwards took advantage of a defensive lapse to cross his shot and silence the stadium. From then on, Liverpool pushed forward without much clarity and even missed a penalty that could have changed the outcome. The frustration was evident, and the final stretch was marked by inaccuracy in the final meters.

For Slot, the draw extends a run of four games without a win in the Premier League, a streak that is beginning to raise questions about the project and, according to various reports, has put the spotlight on the manager’s future. With the draw, Liverpool reached 36 points and remained in fourth place, but increasingly distant from the fight for the top. Burnley, still second from bottom, added a valuable draw in their battle to stay in the top flight.

Result: Liverpool 1-1 Burnley

Premier League Matchday 22 Roundup: Forest vs. Arsenal

The leaders did not have an easy day either. At City Ground, Arsenal repeatedly came up against Nottingham Forest’s defensive organization and the outstanding performance of Matz Sels, who kept the score at 0-0 and allowed his team to earn a point against the leaders.

It was Arteta’s side’s second consecutive goalless draw in the league, a fact that carries even more weight when you consider that Manchester City’s slip-up had given them the chance to extend their lead to nine points. In the end, they were only able to maintain a seven-point gap due to their lack of punch and the strength of their opponents.

Arsenal dominated the game from the start: 61% possession, 15 shots, and four clear chances. Pressure down the wings from Madueke and Saka created danger early on, including an Olympic attempt that was denied by the crossbar and several shots that tested Sels. Before the break, the script was clear: absolute control by the visitors against a compact and disciplined home side.

The second half saw more of the same. Rice, Merino, Saka, and Martinelli all had chances to break the deadlock, but Forest defended rigorously and even threatened a late equalizer through Gibbs-White. In the dying moments, Timber headed the ball, but it lacked the power to change the result.

Arsenal is entering a pivotal week with a visit to San Siro for a Champions League match, followed by a home game against Manchester United. This upcoming match could significantly impact the final stretch of the season. Meanwhile, Forest is preparing for its European match against Braga, with an opportunity to secure a place among the top eight in the Europa League.

Result: Forest 0–0 Arsenal

Premier League Matchday 22 Roundup: Aston Villa vs. Everton

At Villa Park, Everton came away with valuable points thanks to a practical approach and clinical finishing. David Moyes’ side secured a hard-fought 1-0 win thanks to Thierno Barry’s goal 13 minutes into the second half, in a move that ended up deciding the match.

Aston Villa had the better of the play and created the most chances, but their lack of clinical finishing proved their undoing. The hosts had 18 attempts, with 12 shots on target, one shot against the post, and several interventions that could have changed the outcome. Among the standouts were Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans, both dominant in terms of volume of play, distribution, and recovery, although without the final reward.

Everton also had their chances: a shot against the post by Merlin Röhl and some periods of pressure that unsettled Emery’s team. Overall, the visitors balanced things out with their defensive solidity and knew how to capitalize on their momentum to come away with the three points.

The result leaves Villa thirdwith 43 points, while Everton moves up to 32 and settles into tenth place. For some, it was a frustrating defeat given how the game unfolded; for others, it was a strategic victory that strengthens the campaign and brings breathing room for the next matchday.

Result: Aston Villa 0–1 Everton