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Feb 26, 2025, 06:40 PM ET

It was a thrilling Wednesday evening of Premier League action, as we saw multiple heavyweights face each other in matches that could go some way to ironing out the title race, the top four, and everything beyond that.

Liverpool extended their lead top of the Premier League with a win against their Carabao Cup final opponents Newcastle United, Manchester United were made to sweat it out to defeat Ipswich Town, Arsenal failed to score against a vibrant Nottingham Forest, and Manchester City got it done with a close win over Tottenham Hotspur.

As the dust settles on a wild night of Premier League action, our ESPN FC reporters take a look at the biggest talking points.



Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle: League leaders breeze to win to extend lead to 13 points

LIVERPOOL, England -- As news of Arsenal's goalless draw with Nottingham Forest filtered through to Anfield, the Kop launched into a rousing rendition of "We're Gonna Win The League."

With Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Newcastle United moving the Reds 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League table on Wednesday night, it now seems like it is a matter of when, rather than if, that prophecy is fulfilled.

There may still be more than a quarter of the season left to play, but there was already a celebratory atmosphere on Merseyside as goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister helped Arne Slot's side brush aside Eddie Howe's men with all the style and swagger of champions-elect.

Slot watched the contest from the director's box, having been served with a two-match touchline ban by the Football Association after his red card in the Merseyside derby on Feb.

The hosts took the lead inside 11 minutes when Szoboszlai's tame finish wriggled under Nick Pope after a fine run down the left from the lively Luis Díaz.

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Callum Wilson, making his first Premier League start of the season for Newcastle, spurned a glorious chance to restore parity after being played through on goal later in the first half, but his effort curled agonisingly wide of the post.

It only helped to reinforce the notion that this was Liverpool's night, and so it proved when Mac Allister made sure of the victory after the break.

He needs to be more pragmatic and more willing to abandon his principles when the circumstances dictate.

But there is no sign of that happening and Arsenal are drifting out of the title race and could even be in danger of being dragged into a fight for a UEFA Champions League spot if they are unable to escape their malaise.

With the fifth position likely to be enough for a Champions League spot in the Premier League to secure a UCL berth, Arsenal's 10-point cushion should be enough to keep sixth-placed Newcastle at bay..

But it is the 13-point gap between themselves and leaders Liverpool that should concern them most as Arsenal should never have been so far behind the pacesetters this season.

Haaland obviously gives City greater potency in their attack but his contribution was still not enough to mask the fragility that has become a feature of their football in recent months.

Erling Haaland scored his 20th goal of the Premier League season in Manchester City's 1-0 win over Spurs. Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

Spurs were dreadful in the first half but gradually roused themselves as the second period wore on with Pep Guardiola reduced to crouching on one knee in the technical area in hope rather than expectation that his team would repel the home side.

There may come a point when manager Ange Postecoglou -- as much as he would probably not admit it -- may prioritise the Europa League over the Premier League given they are languishing in 13th place -- and perhaps in hindsight, this was it.

Starting without Dejan Kulusevski, Son Heung-min and Djed Spence -- their three best players against Ipswich Town last weekend -- was to manage their load for the weeks ahead rather than in a sincere belief the starting line-up he selected was the strongest available.

That rotation no doubt contributed to the slow start and, as has often been the case this season, they left it too late to rally.

-- James Olley

MANCHESTER, England -- It was a big win for Manchester United against Ipswich Town, particularly after conceding an early goal and playing for more than 45 minutes with 10 men.

But if the pressure on Ruben Amorim has eased ever so slightly, it's ramping up on André Onana.

The goalkeeper played his part in Jaden Philogene's opener after just four minutes when his miscommunication with Patrick Dorgu led to the simplest of chances.

Amorim named two young goalkeepers on the bench against Ipswich -- Elyh Harrison and Hubert Graczyk -- but neither of them are ready for first-team football.

It's possible that Bayindir could be in goal for the FA Cup tie against Fulham on Saturday after being promised he would play in the cup games at the start of the season by former boss Erik ten Hag, but it will depend on the Turkey international proving his fitness in the next three days.

The more likely scenario is that Onana continues, and United fans continue to get heart palpitations anytime the ball goes near him.

Manchester United got the win against Ipswich Town, but questions will be asked about André Onana's performances. OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images

At least the mood around the club will brighten after just their second home league win of 2025.
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