The COVID-19 impact has had another huge impact on this week’s match-weeks, with several boxing day matches being postponed, but the games that went ahead did not disappoint.
Spurs kick off their week with a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace at home. Kane opened the scoreboard in the 32nd minute, with teammate Moura following suit shortly after, putting Conte’s side 2 goals up in the first half. Crystal Palace’s hope of a comeback was then crushed as the went down to 10 men after Zaha was shown a second yellow card. Son sealed the victory with another goal in the second half, and Spurs cruised through their home win with all three points.
Spurs then took a trip to St. Mary’s stadium where Southampton held on to a thrilling 1-1 game. The hosts found the net with a 25th minute goal from Ward-Prowse, but it didn’t take long before Kane was awarded a penalty after Salisu was shown a second yellow card. Despite being a man down, Southampton put up a good fight and the game ended with a draw, Southampton move up to 13th with their third match unbeaten, and Spurs extend their unbeaten run and remain sixth.
A trip to Carrow road saw Arsenal clinch an easy 5-0 win over Norwich. Saka netted a goal in the early minutes of the game and with a late first half goal from Tierney, the Gunners entered half time two goals up, but they weren’t done yet as Saka scored his second goal of the match in the second half, with Lacazette and Smith Rowe too scoring a goal each. The game ended with Arsenal moving up to fourth on the table, while Norwich’s fifth consecutive defeat leave them at the bottom.
Manchester City won their nine consecutive Premier League game on Boxing Day at they defeated Leicester City 6-3. De Bruyne, Mahrez, Gundogan and Sterling all scored a goal for their team to put them 4 goals up in the first half, but three goals in 11 minutes from Maddison, Lookman and Iheanacho have Leicester hope of a comeback. Despite their hard efforts, it wasn’t enough as a goal from Laporte and another from Sterling wrapped up the game, and Manchester City go 6 points clear of second-place Liverpool and third-place Chelsea, as Leicester drop to 10th.
Manchester City extend their winning streak as they travelled to Brentford Community stadium to beat Brentford 1-0. An early goal from Foden saw the Premier League leaders go ahead in the 16th minute, and despite efforts from Brentford, Pep’s side managed to seal the win and their 10th consecutive league win keep them at first, eight points clear of second place Liverpool.
A brace from Jorginho gave Chelsea a 3-1 win over opponents Aston Villa at Villa Park. The hosts pulled ahead in the 28th minute after a deflection off Reece James, but Chelsea levelled six minutes later after a penalty was awarded to Jorginho. Lukaku then put his team ahead after coming off the bench, and another late penalty awarded to Jorginho secured the win for Tuchel’s side. Chelsea are now unbeaten in four consecutive games and stay third, while Villa stay 11th.
Despite their unbeaten run, Chelsea dropped points at home against Brighton in a 1-1 draw. Lukaku opened the scoreboard in the 28th minute to put his team ahead, and Tuchel’s side looked confident to end the game with three points, but a stoppage time goal from substitute Welbeck saw Chelsea end the game with a point, moving them up to second but are now eight points behind leaders Manchester City.
Cavani came off the bench to save Manchester United in his first Premier League appearance since October, to clinch a point against Newcastle at St. James’ Park. A strike from Saint-Maximin in the seventh minute put the hosts ahead, and Manchester United spent the game trying to find the net. It was substitute Cavani that came on and equalised in the 70th minute, and the game ended 1-1, and Ragnick’s side remain seventh on the table, while Newcastle stay 19th.
But it didn’t take long for them to move up on the table, as Ronaldo’s eight goal of the season aided in Manchester United’s 3-1 win over Burnley at Old Trafford. McTominay opened the scoreboard in just eight minutes with his first goal of the season, and it didn’t take long for them to double their lead, as Sancho’s strike was deflected off Mee and found the back of the net. Ronaldo then scored another for United to go 3 goals up, and despite Lennon’s efforts to make a comeback for Burnley, Ragnick’s side prevailed, and the game ended 3-1, with Manchester United moving up to sixth, four pints behind four place Arsenal.
Liverpool’s eight-month scoring streak came to an end as they were handed a 1-0 defeat against Leicester at the King Power Stadium. Liverpool were awarded a penalty in the 16th minute, but Salah missed his first league penalty since 2017, and the visitors lost their chance to go ahead. Schmeichel was in top form as he denied Liverpool multiple chances to find the net. It was Lookman who came off the bench and scored for his team, and the game ended 1-0 to the Foxes, lifting them up to ninth as Liverpool move down to third from Chelsea’s win, but the Reds have a game in-hand.
Other results:
West Ham v Southampton – 2-3
Brighton v Brentford – 2-0
West Ham v Watford – 1-4
Crystal Palace v Norwich – 3-0