Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend, featuring Erling Haaland’s crusade towards more goal records and Sunderland surviving AFCON absentees.
Haaland heroics should not be taken for granted
Erling Haaland is inevitable. The Manchester City striker has reached such a standard, that the sort of performance delivered against West Ham – two goals and an assist – raises few eyebrows. Haaland’s double to down West Ham moved him to 104 goals in the Premier League in just 114 appearances.
In three-and-a-half seasons, he’s outscored Cristiano Ronaldo’s career total in the division, scored over seven seasons and two spells at Manchester United. He’s eclipsed him, having played less than half of Ronaldo’s 236 games.
🤖🤖🤖 pic.twitter.com/TAaGLRTv1G
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) December 20, 2025
Haaland is now on 19 league goals for the season, eight clear of his nearest ‘challenger’ in the Golden Boot race. Furthermore, it’s a return that would have won the Golden Boot in three previous Premier League seasons. We’ve not even tucked into Christmas dinner yet. This is goalscoring greatness. Drink it in.
Liverpool signings show signs of finding feet
Liverpool did not overly pass the eye test this weekend, but a 2-1 win at nine-man Tottenham made it three wins on the bounce and six unbeaten. With Wolves (H), Leeds (H) and Fulham (A) up next, the Reds have a real chance to continue that momentum and climb back up the Premier League table.
At Spurs, there were positives for the club’s much-discussed summer signings. Both goals were scored and assisted by summer recruits, with Florian Wirtz teeing up Alexander Isak for the opener, and Jeremie Frimpong crossing for the in-form Hugo Ekitke to score the second.
Isak’s injury immediately after scoring – which Arne Slot admitted does not look good – was a dampener, but signs the new arrivals are beginning to find their feet are welcome. Ekitike has largely carried the torch for the new faces this season, but Wirtz and Milos Kerkez are showing more pleasing signs of late.
Leeds reap reward of robust recruitment plan
Leeds’ recruitment focus appeared clear in the summer. In Lucas Perri, Jaka Bijol, Anton Stach and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the club brought in a spine filled with physicality and aerial presence. Sean Longstaff (6ft 2) and Lukas Nmecha (6ft 1) provided further height for Daniel Farke and Leeds have been a handful for opposition sides in both boxes.
Against Crystal Palace this weekend, Leeds made it eight points from their last four with an emphatic 4-1 win at Elland Road. The club’s set-pieces and long throws caused problems for Palace in the penalty box, with Calvert-Lewin scoring twice and Bijol often a target for their deliveries.
🎶 This year, to save me from tears,
I’ll give it to Calvert-Lewin 🎶 pic.twitter.com/WQA6HLs9kk— Leeds United (@LUFC) December 21, 2025
Leeds had watched clubs such as Burnley and Southampton struggle after trying to implement a short passing game in the top flight. Instead, Leeds have decided to mix it and their powerful team is providing problems. No side in the Premier League has scored more set-piece goals than Leeds (12), who rank above Arsenal and Chelsea (10).
Sunderland can survive AFCON absences
Sunderland knew the Africa Cup of Nations would provide a challenge this season, with six stars departing to compete at the mid-season tournament. In their first game without that contingent, however, Regis Le Bris’s side battled to an impressive goalless draw at Brighton.
Sunderland’s signings this season have been impressive, with the adaptability of some helping combat their depleted options. Nordi Mukiele has shone both centrally and at full-back, while Lutsharel Geertruida handled a move into midfield admirably.
Sunderland sit sixth at Christmas, above both Manchester United and Newcastle. Their season has exceeded all expectations so far and there’s enough quality to ensure AFCON does not derail them.
Rogers won’t give up England spot easily
England’s number ten position looks to be the most coveted – and competitive – in Thomas Tuchel’s team for next summer. Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer are all standout candidates, but Morgan Rogers is doing all he can to claim the place.
Rogers has been a favourite of Tuchel’s in recent breaks, impressing in the absence of that aforementioned trio.
Tuchel is a huge fan of the Aston Villa midfielder, who sent another message this weekend with both goals in his side’s 2-1 win over Manchester United. It was a second straight Premier League brace for Rogers, who has 10 goals and assists in 17 league games this season.
Morgan Rogers is on course for an all-time goal catalogue this season…
👏 @AVFCOfficial pic.twitter.com/7Hvs9rhvYF
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 22, 2025
The 23-year-old might be great mates with Bellingham and Palmer, but rest assured he will not be stepping aside with the World Cup in his sights.
Read – Premier League Team of the Week – Ballard, Cherki, Rogers
See more – Where every team top of the Premier League at Christmas finished the season
