The Premier League delivered another compelling weekend on December 14, 2025, offering a mix of emotion, quality, and surprise that continues to attract a growing audience in the United States. From a long-awaited derby victory to a title contender asserting its dominance away from home and an unexpected upset, this matchday captured the essence of English football.
Below are three Premier League weekend highlights that stood out and helped shape the narrative heading into the next round of fixtures.
Sunderland vs Newcastle United: A Derby Night Nine Years in the Making
Sunderland secured a historic 1–0 victory over Newcastle United in the Tyne-Wear derby, ending a nine-year wait for a Premier League win against their fiercest rivals. The result meant far more than three points, as a bouncing Stadium of Light witnessed a rare and emotionally charged derby triumph.
The breakthrough came just after halftime when Nick Woltemade inadvertently headed a Nordi Mukiele cross into his own net, giving Sunderland the lead they would protect for the remaining 45 minutes. The match was intense and physical, with Newcastle generating an expected goals figure of just 0.25 as Sunderland’s defensive organization frustrated their visitors throughout.
For Sunderland supporters, this was a defining moment of the season. For Newcastle, captain Bruno Guimarães described the performance as “unacceptable” and “embarrassing,” highlighting ongoing struggles to deliver in high-pressure away fixtures. The result extends Sunderland’s unbeaten Premier League run against Newcastle to ten matches.
Manchester City vs Crystal Palace: Control, Precision, and Depth
Manchester City produced a commanding away performance with a 3–0 victory at Crystal Palace, moving within two points of league leaders Arsenal. From the opening stages, City controlled possession and dictated the pace of the game at Selhurst Park.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring with a powerful header in the 41st minute and added a penalty late on, taking his tally to two goals on the day. Phil Foden, now with six goals in his last four Premier League matches, added the second to seal the result. Crystal Palace struggled to convert their early chances, Yéremy Pino struck the crossbar in the opening minutes, and were largely restricted to defending for long periods.
For fans tracking Premier League results December 2025, this match offered a clear example of why Manchester City consistently draw high interest. The combination of individual brilliance, tactical structure, and clinical execution makes City a reference point for elite Premier League football. The victory marked their fourth consecutive league win.
Nottingham Forest vs Tottenham Hotspur: A Statement Win at the City Ground
One of the most surprising results of the weekend came at the City Ground, where Nottingham Forest delivered a convincing 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. What was expected to be a competitive contest turned into a one-sided display that raised fresh questions about Thomas Frank’s tenure as Spurs manager.
Forest set the tone from the opening whistle, pressing Tottenham high and capitalizing on errors from goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. Callum Hudson-Odoi scored twice – first sliding home after Vicario’s misplaced pass put Archie Gray under pressure, then with an overhit cross that sailed over the Italian goalkeeper and into the far corner. Ibrahim Sangaré completed the scoring with a stunning strike using the outside of his boot in the 79th minute.
The defeat was a significant setback for Spurs, who managed just one shot on target across 90 minutes. For Forest, now under Sean Dyche’s management, the victory represented one of their strongest performances of the season and moved them six points clear of the relegation zone.
Conclusion
The Premier League matchday highlights on December 14, 2025, delivered a complete footballing experience. Sunderland’s derby victory via Woltemade’s own goal offered raw emotion and extended a remarkable unbeaten run. Manchester City’s display at Selhurst Park demonstrated authority and title credentials. And Nottingham Forest’s shock win over Tottenham reminded fans that form and expectation count for little once the whistle blows.
Weekends like this underline why the Premier League remains one of the most engaging and widely followed leagues in the world.
