Premier League wrap-up: Top three pulling away, Man Utd top Magpies and Leeds moving up

The games are coming thick and fast in the Premier League, with Matchweek 18 now complete and the next set of fixtures just hours away.

Before the final games of 2025 kick off, we take a look back at a festive weekend that saw all three league title contenders win their matches, Man United claim victory over Newcastle and Leeds extend their unbeaten run.

Here are some of the bigger talking points from the weekend matches in Matchweek 18.

The top 3 continue to pull away

The Premier League title race has become a three-headed affair, with leaders Arsenal hotly pursued by Manchester City and Aston Villa.

All three sides comtinue to win week after week, with occasional small blips and slip-ups keeping them all within a single result of each other.

Matchweek 18 was more of the same for this season's "Big 3" as they all found ways to grind out identical 2-1 victories. And while they continue to rack up wins, the teams below them have fallen off the pace, with fourth-place Liverpool a full seven points back of Aston Villa and 10 adrift of the leading Gunners.

Everyone else is 10 points back of Villa or further, indicating a stratification at the top of the table that may be tough to overcome for even the closest of competitors.

Will anyone else break into the triumvirate at the top of the standings? There's plenty of time to do so, but it would require an extended run of near-perfect results in order to crack the current top three.

Red Devils get one over on the Magpies

The history between Manchester United and Newcastle United is long and filled with memorable matches, making this year's lone Boxing Day fixture a can't-miss encounter.

Both teams are chasing a European spot and they headed into Friday's match separated by just three points on the table.

A Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu goal was the difference between the sides, despite United's lengthy injury list and not playing all that well, according to Ruben Amorim.

"We played two games in one," the Red Devils manager said after the match. "We had to suffer, all together, in the stadium and in the game. It was really difficult for us.

"We did good in the first half but, in the second half, we just defend and try to do something with [Matheus] Cunha. We had our opportunities with transitions but it was a good win.

"I had so many games here, saying we played really well but didn't get the three points. Today was the opposite. We suffered together and managed to win the game."

The result pushed United up to sixth place, level on points with fifth-place Chelsea.

Unstoppable Leeds?

Just a few short weeks ago, Leeds United looked surefire candidates for relegation alongside historically woeful Wolves.

However, a corner has seemingly been turned and, led by the red-hot Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Leeds have put together five consecutive matches without a Premier League loss.

Their latest result was a comeback draw against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, with Calvert-Lewin once again playing the role of hero thanks to his second-half strike.

Stu Forster/Getty Images

Leeds have now won two and drawn three in their last five league matches, not an Earth-shattering run by any means, but one that has lifted the club out of the relegation zone and given hope to their supporters.

Now in 16th place, Leeds are nowhere near safety and a reversion to their earlier-season form would put them back in danger. But for now, they've shown that they can fight their way out of trouble, setting the standard they must aim to keep for the remainder of the campaign.

How to watch the Premier League in Canada

Soccer fans in Canada can watch every Premier League match during the 2025-26 season on DAZN.

With Fubo Sports on DAZN, Canadians can catch Premier League action as well as Serie A. Additionally, DAZN is the home of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Bundesliga, and more.

For pricing information and to sign up to watch, click here.