NEW YEAR'S Day Premier League action delivered a mixed afternoon for the teams at the top of the table, with Arsenal strengthening their grip on first place while Manchester City dropped points, and Liverpool were held to a goalless draw to open 2026.

Arsenal’s emphatic home win over Aston Villa saw Mikel Arteta’s side move five points clear at the summit, while City were frustrated by a resolute Sunderland display that left Pep Guardiola’s team four points adrift. Liverpool, meanwhile, extended their unbeaten run but failed to find a breakthrough against Leeds at Anfield.

Further down the table, Fulham and Crystal Palace shared the points in south London, while Tottenham and Brentford played out a rare stalemate in west London.

Arsenal surge as City stall

Arsenal underlined their title credentials with a commanding second-half performance against Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium, scoring four times after the break to end the year five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Gabriel Magalhaes opened the scoring early in the second half before goals from Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and substitute Gabriel Jesus put the game beyond Villa. Ollie Watkins scored a late consolation for the visitors, who saw their 11-match winning streak come to an end.

The result proved costly for Villa, who had arrived in north London in strong form but were unable to repeat their victory over Arsenal from earlier in the season.

Manchester City were unable to capitalise later on New Year’s Day, being held to a goalless draw by Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Despite dominating possession and creating chances, City were denied by a disciplined defensive performance from the hosts and could not find a way past Robin Roefs.

The dropped points leave City four points behind Arsenal in the title race.

Liverpool frustrated at Anfield

Liverpool began 2026 with the first goalless draw of Arne Slot’s tenure, as Leeds earned a point at Anfield.

The hosts enjoyed the majority of possession but struggled to create clear openings, with Hugo Ekitike missing a notable chance in the first half. Leeds threatened on the counter and thought they had won the game late on through Dominic Calvert-Lewin, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

The draw extended Liverpool’s unbeaten run to eight matches and moved them three points clear of fifth-placed Chelsea, while Leeds stretched their own unbeaten run to six games and remain seven points above the relegation zone.

Points shared in south London

Crystal Palace’s winless run in the Premier League was extended to four matches after Fulham salvaged a point at Selhurst Park.

Jean-Philippe Mateta gave Palace the lead, but substitute Tom Cairney struck a fine equaliser from the edge of the area to earn Fulham a draw. Both sides had chances late on, but neither could find a winner.

Palace remain ninth in the table, one place above Fulham on goal difference, with both teams unbeaten in four league matches.

Stalemate for Spurs and Brentford

Tottenham and Brentford played out a dull goalless draw at the Gtech Community Stadium, marking Spurs’ first Premier League stalemate in 137 games.

The match saw limited goalmouth action, with Brentford having an early effort ruled out for offside and both sides struggling to test the goalkeepers. The result leaves Tottenham in 12th place, while Brentford remain ninth.

The New Year’s Day fixtures offered a snapshot of a league beginning to take shape at both ends of the table, with Arsenal setting the pace at the top and several sides settling for shared spoils as 2026 gets under way.

English Premier League

New Years Day Results

Crystal Palace 1-1 Fulham

Liverpool 0-0 Leeds United

Brentford 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Sunderland 0-0 Manchester City