In case you need further proof, Gameweek 20 was there and showed that nothing can be taken for granted in the Premier League.
After title contenders Arsenal and Chelsea dropped points away from home on Saturday, the world predicted a massacre in Liverpool when they welcomed a struggling Manchester United team – possibly the worst of the Premier League era – to Anfield on Super Sunday.
However, Ruben Amorim’s side on Merseyside offered more than just competence. Their marked improvement perhaps surprised the league leaders as they harassed, harassed and tortured Trent Alexander-Arnold in a more than just 2-2 draw.
The Premier League’s opening weekend of 2025 certainly didn’t disappoint, and there were standout performances across the division. Here are six of the best.
Jimenez was quick to ignore the importance of a point after the game, but without him the Cottagers would have lost at home to relegation-threatened Ipswich Town.
The hosts had been frustrated by a stubborn block from Ipswich and some questionable refereeing, but found a way back into the game when Harry Wilson was caught in the penalty area by Sam Morsy. Jimenez confidently converted the penalty.
Ipswich’s immediate response meant Fulham faced defeat in the closing stages, but Jimenez was there to salvage a draw. The striker outwitted Leif Davis to convert another penalty, and his second penalty was taken with even greater conviction.
The Mexican has now taken ten penalties without a miss in the Premier League – the third-best perfect record in the competition’s history.
Manchester City’s ongoing malaise towards the end of 2024 has seen Haaland’s once overwhelming share of the FPL fall to 30.4%, with managers betting on midfielder Mohamed Salah as their most valuable asset.
However, with Haaland scoring again and City threatening a resurgence, there is no doubt that some people will reconsider using the Nordic machine again.
After scoring at Leicester, Haaland scored his first Premier League brace since September in City’s 4-1 win over West Ham. As usual, Haaland’s performance was determined by the quality of his finishing.
The towering striker confidently headed home from a wicked cross, doubling the Cityzens’ first-half lead before firing a trademark shot over Alphonse Areola in his second half – a sequence straight out of his record-breaking 2022/23 season.
Liverpool were surprised by Man Utd on Sunday, with the Red Devils benefiting from a six-day break between games. A midfielder switch and a concerted attempt by United’s centre-backs to hit Liverpool’s midfielders between the lines meant the Reds’ excellent engine room didn’t quite get its way.
Arne Slot’s team never seemed to have full control of the game, even though they dominated territorially in the first half and took the lead in the second half. Many players failed to reach their peak, but Mac Allister performed the way we expect from him.
The Argentine brought calm amid the chaos, using his subtle brilliance on the ball to change the dynamic of Liverpool’s attacks through sharp first-time passes and opening up United’s stubborn defensive structure. His metronomic work with the ball was complemented by clever interpretation of space and tireless attempts to get out of possession.
He enjoyed the fight with his fellow South American Manuel Ugarte in the middle of the park.
While Haaland is capable of delivering demonic balls and is undoubtedly a skilled player in the penalty area, he is not a striker who creates opportunities for himself. Like many all-time greats, the Norwegian hitman is as good as his service allows.
Against West Ham on Saturday, Haaland benefited from an outstanding performance from Savinho.
The Brazilian was predominantly used in a reverse role on the right-hand side at the start of his City career, but Pep Guardiola has decided to change direction in the last two games and deploy Savinho on his ‘natural’ flank. The winger shone on the left for Girona last season and Guardiola’s move brings out the best in the 20-year-old.
After cornering Vladimir Coufal and sending a dangerous cross for Haaland to head, Savinho set up the Norwegian’s second goal after receiving the ball infield on the halfway line. The Brazilian’s threaded pass backwards was precise and allowed his striker to finish.
The winger has only shown flashes of sky blue so far, but this was undoubtedly his best performance to date on English shores.
Bruno Fernandes was suspended for United’s chaotic performance against Newcastle and initially struggled to find his rhythm when he returned to the starting XI on Sunday.
The Red Devils captain was deployed as the key facilitator in United’s front line and played a key role in ensuring the visitors kept falling behind on the left. However, there was some hesitation as he headed into the final third – a frustrating aspect of his performance that disappeared after he set up Lisandro Martinez’s opener with a nice back pass.
After that, Fernandes was in charge. Amid the chaos, United’s playmaker operated at his own pace, dictating the game alongside Mac Allister.
The Portuguese star hasn’t always featured in the Red Devils’ big occasions of late, but this was a monster performance in the toughest of environments – particularly in the second half. Since 2003/04, no Man Utd player has created more chances in a Premier League game at Anfield than Fernandes’ four.
Bryan Mbeumo’s development from Robin to Batman at Brentford has seen the Frenchman enjoy a career year on the goalscoring front in 2024/25.
The Bees have been hamstrung by a poor away record this season, but Mbeumo and strike partner Yoane Wissa were on hand to ensure Thomas Frank’s side secured their first Premier League win on their trip to Southampton.
Brentford went wild on the south coast thanks to another productive performance from Mbeumo. The versatile striker created five chances and was rewarded with a late assist after scoring twice himself, taking his tally in the league this season to 13.
The streets will be talking about this Mbeumo x Wissa partnership for years to come.