The weekend action all began with a thriller at Elland Road which made for compelling viewing but, in truth, probably left both clubs with an element of regret.
Yes, it would be hard to criticise either Leeds United or Newcastle after they shared four goals in a contest which was exciting from start to finish.
Yet it leaves one side still in the drop zone and the other still requiring two victories to secure a place in next season’s lucrative Champions League.
The opening match of the Premier League weekend resulted in a dream start for the home side in front of a thunderous crowd (even if one fan went simply too far).
Luke Ayling’s seventh minute strike lifted the majority inside this part of Yorkshire and this SBOTOP writer believes they would have gone onto claim all three points but for a crucial four minute spell midway through the first half.
That was when Patrick Bamford’s penalty was saved by Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope, the disappointment deepening when Callum Wilson restored equality for the visitors from the spot moments later.
Wilson put Newcastle ahead with another penalty with just over 20 minutes remaining after full-back Junior Firpo had handled.
To their credit, under interim manager Sam Allardyce, Leeds continued to fight for their lives in their penultimate home match of the campaign and equalised when a Rasmus Kristensen shot deflected in 11 minutes from time.
They held on even when Firpo was shown a second yellow card for bringing down Anthony Gordon.
A match of Premier League highlights aplenty, Allardyce was right to suggest Leeds had contributed to their own demise.
But if they have a chance of survival going into their final home match in a fortnight’s time (against Spurs), don’t bet against them!
While Newcastle have their destiny in their own hands, the race for Europa League qualification is hotting up.
Something had to give in the battle for the Europa League and it was Spurs as Aston Villa continued their fine home form and renaissance under Unai Emery.
An early goal from Jacob Ramsey and a Douglas Luiz free-kick ensured Harry Kane’s penalty was a mere consolation as Villa moved level on points with their opponents with a sixth straight home league win.
Under Steven Gerrard, the Midland giants were 19th in the table after losing four of their first five games.
With two matches remaining, they now have a chance of qualifying for Europe for the first time in 12 years.
At the other end of the table the Premier League betting odds suddenly look a little healthier for Nottingham Forest whose 2-2 draw at Chelsea was a mightily impressive result.
After Raheem Sterling netted twice in seven minutes at the start of the second period, it would have been easy to imagine Forest may be deflated.
However, within four minutes, Taiwo Awoniyi grabbed his second of the encounter and, following their 4-3 win at home to now relegated Southampton on Bank Holiday Monday, five days had generated four potentially priceless points.
Either side of Sterling’s two quality finishes, Awoniyi punished an error from goalkeeper Édouard Mendy and then headed in from six yards.
It means he has become the first Forest player to score two goals in consecutive Premier League games since Bryan Roy in 1995 as they have taken seven points from their last four games.
The wisdom of their decision to stick with manager Steve Cooper when all around them at the bottom were changing managers – sometimes more than once – could soon be vindicated.
If they can beat Arsenal at home this Saturday, the Gunners’ title bid all but over, then Cooper and his men can celebrate a triumph against the odds.
Ah yes, Arsenal.
Despite their big leap this term, when they needed some composure and leadership it was sorely lacking as Brighton – my team of the season – eased to victory at the Emirates.
The Seagulls were like the home team as they controlled possession against nervy opponents.
Hot on the heels of champions Manchester City’s 3-0 success at Everton, Mikel Arteta’s side knew they had to win and, despite losing promising young talent Gabriel Martinelli to injury after 20 minutes, they were unfortunate not to go in front at the break as Leandro Trossard hit the bar against his former club.
There was a sense of foreboding amongst the home crowd that the title bid was sipping away and, from the moment Julio Enciso directed in a close-range header early in the second period, they were chasing the game.
The seal was put on a very convincing display in the closing stages when substitute Deniz Undav lobbed Aaron Ramsdale before Pervis Estupinan added to the hosts’ misery deep in stoppage time.
The title race is all but over.
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