The first weekend of February delivered the kind of Premier League chaos that reminds fans why the title race rarely follows logic. Manchester City slipped further behind Arsenal, Spurs found a hero in Dominic Solanke, Manchester United rediscovered their edge, and Aston Villa’s unexpected title push lost more steam.
For South African football lovers who stayed glued to their screens through the heatwave, it was a weekend packed with late twists, surprise scorers and enough drama to fill an entire SuperSport highlight reel.
Solanke brings Spurs back from the brink
Source: Arsenal N7 on X
Tottenham supporters arrived at their home ground anxious about another long afternoon, and after 45 minutes those fears looked justified. Manchester City were comfortable, clinical and cruising with a two-goal lead courtesy of Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo.
Pep Guardiola’s men seemed on track to keep pressure on Arsenal, but the second half rewrote the script.
Dominic Solanke, who has spent most of the season sidelined by injury, returned with the confidence of a man who never left. He bundled in the first to halve the deficit, then produced a moment of pure improvisation to level the match with an acrobatic scorpion-style finish. It was one of those goals that instantly fuel debates about the Goal of the Season shortlist.
For Spurs boss Thomas Frank, the comeback offered some much-needed breathing room. For City, it deepened the concern. One win from six league games this year leaves the champions six points behind Arsenal, who now sense their best title opportunity in 22 years.
Sesko keeps United’s revival alive
Source: Man United on X
At Old Trafford, the mood could not have been more different. Manchester United continued their resurgence under Michael Carrick, securing a third straight win by edging Fulham 3-2 in a frantic finish.
United had looked in control thanks to goals from Casemiro and Matheus Cunha. But Fulham refused to disappear quietly, first pulling one back from the penalty spot before a long-range strike levelled the match with minutes to play.
Just as nerves began to creep into the stadium, Benjamin Sesko delivered the type of moment supporters used to associate with United’s glory years. He spun onto a pass from Bruno Fernandes and rifled the ball into the top corner, sending Old Trafford into a roar that felt like a throwback.
The win lifted United back into the top four, ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool, and underlined Carrick’s growing influence since taking charge.
Villa’s title dreams fade with Brentford’s historic win
Aston Villa’s surge near the summit finally met resistance as Brentford pulled off a historic 1-0 win at Villa Park. Remarkably, the Bees did it with ten men after Kevin Schade was sent off just before halftime.
Instead of folding, Brentford struck moments later through Dango Ouattara, who scored from a tight angle. From there, Villa threw bodies forward, convinced they had levelled when Tammy Abraham tapped in early in the second half. VAR confirmed the ball had gone out of play in the build-up, and Villa never found another way through.
The defeat leaves Villa seven points off the top, and while the title dream isn’t over, it is slipping out of reach.
Forest edge closer to safety as Palace frustrations grow
Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace played out a 1-1 draw that offered hope for one side and frustration for the other. Forest opened the scoring early through Morgan Gibbs-White but were reduced to ten men after Neco Williams handled the ball on the line.
Ismaila Sarr equalised from the spot, but Palace never took full advantage. Their 12-match wait for a win continues, while Forest extended their unbeaten run to four league games, inching further from the relegation zone.
Liverpool and Chelsea deliver comebacks of their own
Source: Milos Kerkez on X
Liverpool finally celebrated their first league win of 2026 with a 4-1 comeback over Newcastle. Hugo Ekitike scored twice before Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konate sealed the result, offering the confidence boost Reds supporters have been waiting for.
Chelsea, meanwhile, produced a dramatic 3-2 turnaround against West Ham. Liam Rosenior’s side were booed off at halftime but came out revitalised. Goals from Joao Pedro and Marc Cucurella pulled them level before Enzo Fernandez smashed in a stoppage-time winner on his 150th appearance for the club.
A weekend that shapes the title race
With Arsenal leading the way, City wobbling, and momentum shifting across the top six, this may be the most open title race in years.
City still have the experience and quality to claw back the gap, but weekends like this show that the Premier League can turn on the smallest details. Spurs showed resilience, United rediscovered belief and the rest of the pack signalled they are far from finished.
Source: Various
Featured Image Source: Soccer Laduma on X
