Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend, with Erling Haaland’s crusade to more goalscoring records and Sunderland surviving AFCON’s absence.
Haaland’s heroics should not be taken for granted
Erling Haaland is inevitable. The Manchester City forward has reached such a level that the type of performance against West Ham – two goals and an assist – will raise few eyebrows. Haaland’s double against West Ham took him to 104 goals in the Premier League in just 114 appearances.
In three and a half seasons he has surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally in the division, scoring in seven seasons and two spells at Manchester United. He has overshadowed him, having played less than half of Ronaldo’s 236 games.
🤖🤖🤖 pic.twitter.com/TAaGLRTv1G
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) December 20, 2025
Haaland now has 19 league goals this season, eight ahead of his nearest challenger in the Golden Boot race. Moreover, it is a return that would have seen him win the Golden Boot in three previous Premier League seasons. We haven’t even had Christmas dinner yet. This is goalscoring greatness. Drink it in.
Liverpool’s signings are showing signs of gaining a foothold
Liverpool didn’t overly pass the eye test this weekend, but a 2-1 win over nine-man Tottenham made it three wins on the rebound and six unbeaten. With Wolves (H), Leeds (H) and Fulham (A) next, the Reds have a real chance to continue that momentum and climb back up the Premier League.
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 Jeremy Frimpong crossing for the in-form Hugo Ekitke to score the second.
Isak’s injury immediately after scoring – which Arne Slot admits did not look good – was a setback, but signs that the newcomers are starting to find their feet are welcome. Ekitike has largely carried the torch for the new faces this season, but Wirtz and Milos Kerkez have shown more pleasant signs of late.
Leeds are reaping the benefits of a robust recruitment plan
Leeds’ recruitment focus seemed clear this summer. With Lucas Perri, Jaka Bijol, Anton Stach and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the club brought in a backbone full of physicality and aerial presence. Sean Longstaff (6ft 6in) and Lukas Nmecha (6ft 8in) provided extra height for Daniel Farke and Leeds were a handful for their opponents in both boxes.
Against Crystal Palace this weekend, Leeds took 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 area, with Calvert-Lewin scoring twice and Bijol often a target for their deliveries.
🎶 This year, to save me from tears,
I give it to Calvert-Lewin 🎶 pic.twitter.com/WQA6HLs9kk— Leeds United (@LUFC) December 21, 2025
Leeds had seen clubs like Burnley and Southampton struggle after trying to implement a short passing game in the top flight. Instead, Leeds have decided to mix it up and their powerful team is causing problems. No team in the Premier League has scored more goals than Leeds (12), who are above Arsenal and Chelsea (10).
Sunderland can survive the absence of AFCON
Sunderland knew this season’s Africa Cup of Nations would be a challenge, with six stars set to leave to take part in the midseason tournament. However, in their first game without that contingent, the Regis Le Bris side battled to an impressive goalless draw in Brighton.
Sunderland’s signings this season have been impressive, with the adaptability of some helping to combat their depleted options. Nordi Mukiele shone both centrally and at full-back, while Lutsharel Geertruida handled the move into midfield admirably.
Sunderland are in sixth place at Christmas, above both Manchester United and Newcastle. Their season so far has exceeded all expectations and there is enough quality to ensure AFCON does not derail them.
Rogers will not give up the England spot easily
England’s number ten appears to be the most coveted – and competitive – spot in Thomas Tuchel’s team for next summer. Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer are all notable candidates, but Morgan Rogers is doing everything he can to claim the spot.
Rogers has been a favorite of Tuchel in recent breaks and has impressed in the absence of that aforementioned trio.
Tuchel is a big 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 the second successive Premier League brace for Rogers, who has scored 10 goals and assisted in 17 league games this season.
Morgan Rogers is on course for an all-time goalscoring catalog this season…
👏 @AVFCOfficial pic.twitter.com/7Hvs9rhvYF
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 22, 2025
The 23-year-old may be good friends with Bellingham and Palmer, but rest assured he won’t be stepping aside with the World Cup in his sights.
Read – Premier League Team of the Week – Ballard, Cherki, Rogers
See more – Where every Premier League team ended the season at Christmas
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