Late goals shook up the Premier League title race on January 4, 2026, as Manchester City drew 1-1 with Chelsea and Liverpool were held 2-2 by Fulham. Brentford secured a convincing 4-2 win at Everton thanks to Igor Thiago's hat-trick, while Newcastle defeated Crystal Palace 2-0 and Tottenham drew 1-1 with Sunderland.
The Premier League's Sunday fixtures produced thrilling action and significant shifts in the standings. At Goodison Park, Brentford overcame Everton 4-2, with Brazilian striker Igor Thiago netting a hat-trick—his 14th goal of the season—to propel the Bees to seventh place. Thiago scored in the 11th minute, added another shortly after Nathan Collins' 50th-minute header, and sealed the win in the 88th. Everton responded with goals from Beto in the 66th and Thierno Barry in added time, but it was too late. Brentford manager Keith Andrews praised Thiago's 'sensational' performance, noting the team's growing consistency.
At Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the hosts led 1-0 through Ben Davies' close-range finish from a corner in the 30th minute, but Sunderland equalized in the 80th via Brian Brobbey's emphatic strike, earning a point and extending their unbeaten run. Tottenham manager Thomas Frank highlighted the positives in his side's first-half dominance but lamented failing to 'kill the game' with a second goal.
Newcastle United rose to ninth with a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at St James' Park. Bruno Guimaraes nodded in the opener in the 71st minute, followed by Malick Thiaw's prod seven minutes later. Palace, winless in seven, slipped to 14th; their new £35 million signing Brennan Johnson endured a tough debut.
Craven Cottage witnessed drama as Fulham drew 2-2 with Liverpool. Harry Wilson gave the hosts the lead, Florian Wirtz equalized in the 57th, Cody Gakpo put Liverpool ahead in the 94th, but Harrison Reed's stunning 25-yard strike in the 97th minute salvaged a point. Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed frustration over conceding late, saying, 'So many points have disappeared for us.' Fulham's Marco Silva called Reed's goal an 'incredible moment.'
Elsewhere, Manchester City drew 1-1 with managerless Chelsea at the Etihad, Tijjani Reijnders scoring before Enzo Fernandez's 94th-minute equalizer. This result left City six points behind leaders Arsenal, who beat Bournemouth 3-2 on Saturday. Pep Guardiola voiced concerns over injuries to Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias, stating, 'We don't have players. That is the truth.' Leeds United and Manchester United also drew 1-1. These outcomes highlighted the league's unpredictability, with Arsenal extending their lead amid rivals' stumbles.
