The Christmas period has been one of the most intensive ever for the English Premier League. With two games in less than 48 hours for many of the 20 teams in the best league in the world, there were games littered with mistakes, moments of magic and a whole goalmouth full of VAR decisions, many of which have stirred up a social media storm.
While some sides had a Christmas to forget, such as pointless Newcastle or ‘nil point’ Norwich, others fly into the New Year on a wave of optimism, such as both Merseyside clubs, Everton and Liverpool.
Leicester City 0 -4 Liverpool
The EPL Title was on the line on Boxing Day, but it was Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool who bossed affairs at the King Power as they blew Leicester out of contention and effectively ended the title race before the New Year.
With Trent Alexander-Arnold providing two assists and a goal for a season-record 24 points in the Fantasy Premier League, Liverpool were awesome in attack and devastating in defence, with the Premier League’s top scorer, Jamie Vardy, barely getting a look-in.
Chelsea 0-2 Southampton, Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea
Frank Lampard’s Blues were the team who dominated the Christmas headlines on the back page, as they first lost to Southampton at Stamford Bridge then came from behind to beat Arsenal at The Emirates.
As abject as Chelsea were at home to the Saints, they were stunning at Arsenal. Southampton passed around Chelsea’s flat midfield from start to finish, thoroughly good value for the three points, but at the home of The Gunners, Chelsea came from behind as Arsenal blew their early advantage.
Having taken the lead through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal saw their lead evaporate as first Jorginho and then Tammy Abraham scored two goals in five minutes close to the final whistle to deny Mikel Arteta his team’s first win under his stewardship.
Wolves 3-2 Manchester City, Liverpool 1-0 Wolves
Wolves were central to the fortunes of last season’s epic 97 and 98-points teams in the Premier League as they were brilliant in a comeback victory against Manchester City to do the double over the champions before being unlucky to lose at Liverpool.
2-0 down to a controversial Raheem Sterling and a second from the same source, Wolves came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in the space of 35 thrilling minutes at Molineux on Boxing Day. With the attacking force of Adama Traore providing the drive and determination to assist Jimenez in his pursuit of plundered goals, Wolves were unmissable.
Less than 46 hours later, however, Wolves were in action against a better-rested Liverpool, resting Traore and Jimenez. 1-0 down to a Sadio Mane goal that will forever be debated on the subject of VAR, with Virgil Van Djik handballing on the way to his ball that set up the goal, Wolves were aggrieved and fought back.
On came Traore, on came Jimenez and the fightback was great to witness for the neutral. With a Neto goal seeing a sensational celebration to match the goal, Wolves waited as they were denied by VAR after an interminable wait. Denied an equalizer, Liverpool held on… and the league title was as good as won.
Christmas EPL results:
Thursday 26 December 2019
Leicester 0-4 Liverpool
Man Utd 4-1 Newcastle
Bournemouth 1-1 Arsenal
Aston Villa 1-0 Norwich
Crystal Palace 2-1 West Ham
Chelsea 0-2 Southampton
Everton 1-0 Burnley
Sheff Utd 1-1 Watford
Spurs 2-1 Brighton
Friday 27 December 2019
Wolves 3-2 Man City
Saturday 28 December 2019
Burnley 0-2 Man Utd
Norwich 2-2 Spurs
West Ham 1-2 Leicester
Newcastle 1-2 Everton
Southampton 1-1 Crystal Palace
Watford 3-0 Aston Villa
Brighton 2-0 Bournemouth
Sunday 29 December
Man City 2-0 Sheffield United
Liverpool 1-0 Wolves
Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea
