Premier League Matchday 31 Recap (2025/26)

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Full Results (Matchday 31) 

  • Bournemouth 2–2 Manchester United

  • Brighton 2–1 Liverpool 

  • Fulham 3–1 Burnley 

  • Everton 3–0 Chelsea 

  • Leeds 0–0 Brentford 

  • Newcastle 1–2 Sunderland 

  • Aston Villa 2–0 West Ham

  • Tottenham 0–3 Nottingham Forest

Game of the Matchday 

Bournemouth 2–2 Manchester United


It has been over 19 days since the Premier League was last in action, yet the fallout from the Game of that Matchday still lingers for Manchester United. A pulsating second half saw Manchester United twice surrender the lead to a relentless Bournemouth side. Bruno Fernandes clinically converted from the spot just after the hour mark, but the celebrations were cut short when Ryan Christie swept home a leveller only six minutes later. United appeared to have done enough when James Hill diverted a cross into his own net, but the script flipped entirely when Harry Maguire saw red for a desperate challenge on Evanilson. Junior Kroupi kept his nerve to bury the resulting penalty, leaving United with a frustrating point and a missed opportunity to truly cement their grip on third place before the long break. Two points dropped in the race for Champions League qualification for the Red Devils who are now just 1 point ahead of Aston Villa.

Biggest Surprise

Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea all lose important matches comprehensively

In a staggering set of results, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea all suffered damaging defeats that have completely rattled the European places and perhaps more significantly, the relegation places. Liverpool’s Champions Leaguea qualification spirations took a hit at the Amex, where a Danny Welbeck brace helped Brighton to a 2-1 victory. Tottenham were humiliated 3-0 in their own backyard by Nottingham Forest, a result that leaves them sitting precariously in 17th place. That proved to be Igor Tudor's last match with Tottenham as the club has since sacked him and replaced him with Roberto De Zerbi. Their rivals Chelsea were dismantled 3-0 by a clinical Everton side at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, looking a shadow of the team that had dominated recently. Seeing three of the league's heavyweights fail to pick up a single point between them on the same weekend is the kind of unpredictability that makes the run-in so brutal. 

Best Team Performance

Fulham 3–1 Burnley

It took them some time, but Fulham produced a clinical display at Craven Cottage to move into the top half of the table. They controlled the flow of the game with a 3.15 xG, making life miserable for a Burnley side that struggled to cope with the movement of Fulham's attackers. Zian Flemming actually gave the Clarets a shock lead on the hour, but the Whites responded with two goals in quick succession from Joshua King and Harry Wilson to turn the tide. A late Raul Jimenez penalty put the result beyond doubt and saw Josh Laurent sent off for the visitors. Routine Fulham.

Player of the Matchday

Beto (Everton)

Beto was undoubtedly the star of the weekend as he spearheaded Everton’s destruction of Chelsea with a powerhouse display. The striker was a constant menace for the visiting center-backs, scoring twice and showing exactly why David Moyes trusts his physical presence in big games. His first was a clinical finish after being released by James Garner, while his second saw him show incredible strength to shoot on the swivel and beat Robert Sanchez. Beyond the goals, he provided the assist for Iliman Ndiaye’s third and won 4 aerial duels. It was a classic center-forward performance that combined power with decisiveness, earning him a 9.1 FotMob rating and ShotBlogged's Player of the Matchday.

Honorable mentions - Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest) & Danny Welbeck (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Moment of the Matchday

Brian Brobbey strikes late to win the Tyne-Wear Derby for Sunderland

Watch Brobbey's winner here

It was a miserable week for the black and white half of Tyneside as Sunderland wasted no time capitalizing on Newcastle’s midweek collapse against Barcelona, rubbing salt into the wound with a historic result at St James’ Park. Brian Brobbey etched his name into Sunderland folklore by snatching a 90th-minute winner in a high-stakes Tyne-Wear Derby. Anthony Gordon had given the hosts an early lead, but the Black Cats clawed their way back through Chemsdine Talbi before Brobbey’s predatory instincts sealed the turnaround. In the final minute of regulation time, the striker latched onto a ball from Enzo Le Fee, who had broken down the right flank, to slot home and spark scenes of absolute mayhem in the away end. This victory sees Sunderland leapfrog their rivals in the table, climbing to 11th in their first season back in the top flight. Scoring a late winner for newly promoted Sunderland against Newcastle at St. James' Park to complete the league double over their rivals more than a decade in the making is certainly an easy way to win the fanbase in your debut season.

Looking Ahead – Matchday 32 Fixtures (IST Kick-offs)

Saturday, 11 April (IST)

    • West Ham vs Wolves - 12:30 am

    • Arsenal vs Bournemouth - 5:00 pm

    • Brentford vs Everton - 7:30 pm

    • Burnley vs Brighton - 7:30 pm

    • Liverpool vs Fulham - 10:00 pm

    Sunday, 12 April (IST)

    • Crystal Palace vs Newcastle - 6:30 pm

    • Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa - 6:30 pm

    • Sunderland vs Tottenham - 6:30 pm

    • Chelsea vs Manchester City - 9:00 pm

    Tuesday, 14 April (IST)

    • Manchester United vs Leeds - 12:30 am

    by ShotBlogged


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