On Friday, as Bruno Fernandes was named Football Writers' Association player of the year, Declan Rice or David Raya might have felt slightly overlooked. Both have played pivotal roles in Arsenal's push for a Premier League and Champions League double, but Raya proved his worth at the London Stadium with a precise one-on-one stop that set the stage for Arsenal's crucial late victory. Mikel Arteta's team was under pressure when Mateus Fernandes linked up with Pablo for a clear chance. It seemed Arsenal's title hopes were fading once more, yet Raya stayed composed, delivering the decisive save. The Gunners' quest for a first league title in 22 years still rests with him. Graham Searles

Jeers echoed around the London Stadium as West Ham players confronted the referee post-match. Earlier, pandemonium erupted in the Arsenal penalty area from a corner. David Raya mishandled the ball, and Callum Wilson's quick shot tied the game, dampening Arsenal's seemingly fortunate lead against a lackluster performance. However, VAR summoned Chris Kavanagh to check a possible foul on Raya by Pablo, who was blocking the keeper. Following a long delay, the goal was ruled out, robbing West Ham of a hard-earned draw after a solid defensive effort. Konstantinos Mavropanos and Mads Hermansen shone in curbing Arsenal's early 25-minute surge. West Ham had been unbeaten at home since early January, making the harsh ending all the more stinging - and a worse fate could loom if Tottenham defeats Leeds on Monday. Graham Searles

Jérémy Doku netted for the third straight match, but that won't spare him from Pep Guardiola's sharp feedback - if needed. "He shouts at everyone, I'm not different," Doku noted after his 60th-minute strike shattered Brentford's defense. Like in City's 3-3 stalemate at Everton, the shot came from the left into the far-right corner. "You know what it is, it's grace. Grace from above," Doku remarked. "It's my special weapon: Jesus. I've not been doing anything different. I've not been working more. I've not been working less. But at this moment, it's just going in. So I'm just grateful. I'll continue to work hard, obviously. I am happy with the victory." Jamie Jackson

The most worrying part of the Anfield jeers for Arne Slot was their origin - not the scoreline or subbing a cramping 17-year-old, but Liverpool's cautious playstyle. Similar to Old Trafford the week prior, fans voiced frustration in the first half over the team's conservative approach, allowing Chelsea to build rhythm. Slot blamed Chelsea's midfield grip and noted Liverpool's second-half turnaround. As Joe Gomez conceded, intensity dips are part of Slot's tactics. "One of the strengths of our coaching staff is to adapt every game and try to overload in certain areas and that is a different style to the faster pace. We get that sometimes it's not as fluid or as high intensity on the ball as always. It does get frustrating when it gets fragmented but there's also been times when it's controlled the game, not as much this year." Andy Hunter

Joshua Zirkzee's dramatic debut winner off the bench versus Fulham at Old Trafford in August 2024 sparked optimism for the Dutch striker. Yet circumstances at Manchester United have shifted dramatically, and his £36.5m move from Bologna has flopped. His display in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Sunderland highlighted his woes, pointing to a probable summer departure. With nine goals in 73 games, he lacked the danger of absent Benjamin Sesko amid Michael Carrick's five changes. Zirkzee falls short of the caliber United requires for Champions League return. Subbed just past the hour in the drenched Stadium of Light, it signaled the nearing close of his disappointing spell. Ross Heppenstall

A transformative summer looms at Newcastle, and Eddie Howe's recent selections indicate urgency. He benched top scorer Anthony Gordon - linked with Bayern Munich - at Nottingham Forest, while outgoing Kieran Trippier sat despite being the sole natural right-back. Left-back Lewis Hall shifted sides. Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães face uncertain prospects, and with or without sales, a hectic transfer window awaits. "We have got one eye on the future," Howe stated. "It's our duty to look to the future and see what the new team is going to look like next year." Ben Fisher

Caretaker Mike Jackson knew changes were vital at Burnley - six from the Leeds loss last Friday. Most striking was handing Premier League bows to 21-year-old keeper Max Weiss over 16-years-older Martin Dubravka, who departs post-season. The German's prior English exposure was cups; this tested him for Championship contention. Weiss faltered on crosses, with Villa targeting corners to exploit his unease. He botched the cross for Ollie Watkins' chalked-off goal, denting his poise. Debuts in this league challenge novices, as Weiss learned on reactions for the second goal, though he notched solid late stops. Will Unwin

Andoni Iraola boasts choices. A top pick for Crystal Palace or Chelsea voids, and likely for Liverpool or United shifts. First, a full split from Bournemouth. "It was not an easy decision but once it is made, you feel relief," Iraola shared post-Fulham win. "I feel we have used it in a positive way. Since that day, we've had great results but also the mood." Larger clubs will probe the quiet Basque's player development skills from Rayo Vallecano and Bournemouth's three years. Successor Marco Rose gets a strong squad, starring match-winner Rayan. His smooth strides devour ground; a second-half surge terrorized Fulham. He and teen Eli Junior Kroupi have 17 league goals combined. John Brewin

Oliver Glasner urged Ismaïla Sarr to reach double digits pre-season, but the Senegalese has smashed that mark. After aiding Palace's Conference League final berth Thursday with his ninth there, Sarr hit 20 overall via Sunday's Everton draw goal, unlocking potential from Rennes and Watford days. "I'm a bit surprised that he's now 20, but I'm pretty sure it will be more than that this season, because he's just doing so well," Glasner said. "We didn't make him quicker, we didn't make him jump higher. I think, and this is what drives every single player, not just me, it was my staff together, to get the best Ismaïla Sarr that he can be. But from day number one, we could see his attitude and we could see his talent." Ed Aarons

Brighton's European push - perhaps Champions League - owes much lately to academy product Jack Hinshelwood, who scored for a third game running in Wolves' downfall. The 21-year-old, a De Zerbi full-back breakthrough now Hürzeler's favored No 10, headed Brighton ahead in 35 seconds after strikes versus Chelsea and Newcastle. His manager praises his box arrivals. "He has a really good understanding of the game, a really good feeling for being in the right position," Hürzeler noted. "In my opinion, he makes his teammates better by his position, by his desire to score and by his desire to run in behind." Key for England's U21 Euros winners last summer before ankle woes, Hinshelwood outshines many in Thomas Tuchel's overflowing midfield talent pool. Billy Munday