Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United back to winning ways on Boxing Day and on Tuesday, in the Premier League. Here’s how the table stands heading into Wednesday’s fixtures
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool hosted Unai Emery’s Aston Villa on Boxing day in their first Premer League fixture since the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa has seen them close the gap in their quest for Champions League qualification. Liverpool are now five points away from the top four.
No hangovers from a thrilling World Cup as Trent Alexander-Arnold found Andy Robertson with an exquisite outfoot pass, Mohammed Salah applying the finish. 1-0 Liverpool!
Manager Jurgen Klopp handed Oxlade Chamberlain a surprising start. His first in nearly a year.
Liverpool held the game by the scruff of the neck and had plenty of chances before defender Virgil Van Dijk doubled the lead. Salah with the assist. A solid display from the Dutch defender.
Darwin Nunez was wasteful late on in the half, shooting straight at Aston Villa goalkeeper R. Olsen. Unmarked and just 8 yards from the goal! The striker continues his inconsistent form.
In the second half, Liverpool’s intensity went down, and Aston Villa, through Ollie Watkins, thought they had gotten back into the game. Watkins scores from a through pass, but was just offside. In the 58th minute, Ollie Watkins headed to half the deficit for Villa from a Douglas Luiz cross.
Villa look dangerous and the pressure gets to Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp who makes a double substitution. Harvey Elliott and Naby Keita replace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Thiago.
In the 78th minute, Klopp brings in Joe Gomez and Stefan Bajcetic to replace Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold. This tactical change rejuvenates the team and it pays off minutes later.
Two minutes later and Stefan Bajcetic scores from a relentless Darwin Nunez who repaid the manager’s faith having missed many glaring chances. Nunez chases his own heavy touch and keeps the ball in play. His cross is palmed away by Olsen and onto Bajcetic who dinks it over the keeper.
Liverpool win 3-1 and move up to sixth on the table.
Arsenal picked up from where they left off- back at the top of the Premier League. This is after a comeback 3-1 win over David Moyes’ side.
West Ham forward Said Benrahma scored from the penalty spot in the 26th minute after William Saliba fouled Jared Bowen in the box. Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, now FIFA’s head of global football development, was in attendance for the first time since leaving the club in 2018.
With Gabriel Jesus out for months due to knee surgery, Saka, Martinelli, and Nketiah filled the void.
In the second half, Bukayo Saka found the equalizer for the Gunners. According to ESPN, with one goal left to score, Nicolas Anelka and Bukayo Saka are tied for the most Premier League goals scored by an Arsenal player before turning 22.
In less than 20 minutes, Arsenal scored three goals to secure the win at the Emirates. Saka scored from Martin Odegaard’s assist, before Martinelli gave them the lead, scoring at Fabianski’s near post, five minutes after the equalizer.
Momentum was with the Gunners and soon after they scored the third through Eddie Nketiah, who turned West Ham’s Thilo Kehrer before applying the finishing touch.
In other results on Boxing Day:
Brentford FC (2)-(2) Tottenham Hotspurs
Crystal Palace (0)-(3) Fulham
Everton (1)-(2) Wolves
Leicester City (0)-(3) Newcastle United
Southampton (1)-(3) Brighton and Hove Albion
Chelsea vs Bournemouth
Kai Havertz and Mason Mount scored early in the game to secure the win for the Blues on Tuesday. Their 5-game winless run came to an end much to the relief of manager Graham Potter.
In the 16th minute, Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling found Kai Havertz with a low cross. Mason Mount doubled the lead in the 24th minute. A touch of class as he scores from the edge of the box.
Reece James, Mason Mount, and Raheem Sterling are a constant threat down the right flank and this ensures that Chelsea maintain their lead into the break, despite a waved penalty appeal by Bournemouth after a dodgy square pass from Thiago.
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In just over 5 minutes after the restart, Reece James points to his knee before going down. Cesar Azpilicueta comes on to replace him.
Despite Bournemouth’s attempts at getting a result, they weren’t as threatening in front of goal and the game ended 2-0.
Chelsea move to eighth on the table and will face Nottingham Forest on New Year’s Day.
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest
Illness struck the Red Devils camp and Victor Lindelof, Scott McTominay, and Harry Maguire were all ruled out ahead of the fixture. Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw partnered in a makeshift center-back partnership.
United begin slow but get the opening goal, against the run of play. United from a training ground corner routine, score through in-form Marcus Rashford. Eriksen pulls the corner low and Rashford calculates his run and finish to perfection.
Minutes later and Rashford turns provider. Casemiro makes a stunning tackle and interception just as Bournemouth’s Awoniyi makes his way into United’s box. United counter with speed and the ball gets to Rashford, who twists and turns and rolls the ball to Antony Martial in the middle. Wayne Hennessey will be disappointed at how the ball glides through his hands and into the net. 2-0 United!
In the 40th minute, United get a scare as Yates scores for Bournemouth. However, the ball brushes off Boly, in an offside position, en route to goal.
In the second half, Forest come out strongly but are dealt a major blow as former United striker Jesse Lingard is substituted following an injury. The 2016 FA cup winner for United receives a standing ovation from Stretford end.
Minutes later and United break into the Forest box. Rashford drives down the left and gives an accurate low cross-field pass to Bruno Fernandes. Bruno with a sublime knick of the ball finds Antony, who shoots straight at Hennessey despite having a clear run in on goal.
In the 65th minute, Antony and Martial come off for Van de Beek and Garnacho. Several missed chances from Casemiro who floats a chip that almost beats the goalkeeper. Van de Beek eventually sees his effort go wide as well as the ball ricochets around the area before going out for a corner.
In the 77th minute, Maguire and Fred come on for Varane and Eriksen. Elanga comes on late in the game replacing Rashford.
Minutes later and Casemiro robs Dennis on the break and slips a diagonal pass to find Fred, who scores to seal the victory.
United sit fifth on the table and will face Wolves on New Year’s Eve.
As it Stands…
Leeds United face Manchester City on Wednesday at 11 pm E.A.T
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