The festive games continue to cause upsets
The second round of festive fixtures in the Premier League took place on Friday December 30th, New Year’s Eve and New Years Day. The headline clash was Brighton & Hove Albion versus Arsenal at The Amex Stadium on New Year’s Eve. It was brillant to watch multiple Premier League games over Christmas as I missed it during November and December. Liverpool vs Leicester City at Anfield was their first game since they signed Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven.
Brentford travelled to the London Stadium to take on West Ham and went ahead after 18 minutes. Brentford won two nil and another fantastic game for Ivan Toney as he scored a goal and got a assist. West Ham have recently brought themselves back into a relegation scrap as only goal difference separates them from Nottingham Forest in 18th position. David Moyes is under pressure and needs to get a result in their next game against Leeds United at Elland Road.
Brendan Rodgers was delighted as Leicester took the lead after four minutes at Anfield. Liverpool responded through two own goals from Leicester defender Wout Faes. Liverpool were quite fortunate to come from behind and win 2-1 as their performance was poor. Jurgen Klopp will need an improved performance in their next game away from home against Brentford.
Erik Ten Hag dropped Marcus Rashford for Manchester United’s trip to Molineux due to a disciplinary issue. Anthony missed numerous chances in this game and was very lucky not to be substituted at half time. Rashford came on in the second half and scored a fantastic goal as Man United got a important win on the road. David De Gea made a unbelievable save in injury time and he is only four clean sheets away from breaking Peter Schmeichel’s record.
Four games took place at three o clock on New Years Eve. Erling Haaland scored his 21st Premier League goal but was very lucky not to be sent off against Everton. Demarai Gray scored a remarkable goal as Everton got a draw through a fantastic defensive performance in the second half. Fulham continued their good form as they beat bottom of the table Southampton 2-1 at Craven Cottage. Leeds got a rare clean sheet on the road against Newcastle United at St James Park. Crystal Palace returned to winning ways as two goals in the first half were good enough to beat AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
The final game of the year was a cracker between Brighton and Arsenal. Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard fired The Gunners into a two nil lead at half time. The game looked like it was over as Arsenal went three nil up after 47 minutes. Brighton asked them a question as they made it 3-1 on 65 minutes but Odegaard gave a contender for pass of the season as they quietened the crowds to make it 4-1 on 71 minutes. It was nearly a grand stand finish only for Brighton’s third goal to be disallowed by VAR in the 89th minute. Arsenal take a seven-point lead at the top into the New Year due to Man City slipping up against Everton.
Tottenham Hotspur versus Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest against Chelsea took place on New Years Day. Spurs performance was very lackluster as they only had two shots on target against Aston Villa. Unai Emery got his tactics spot on as Douglas Luiz put the away side two nil up on the 73rd minute. Spurs drop points in the race for top four as they were outplayed by Aston Villa. Chelsea’s goal against Forest was ridiculous as Willy Boly’s bicycle kick hit off the crossbar. Chelsea were very poor in the second half and Forest equalised to get a well-earned draw at home.
One more round of Premier League fixtures are down for decision before the festive fixtures come to a close. Two big games with Arsenal hosting Newcastle at The Emirates on Tuesday 3rd January and Chelsea against Man City at Stamford Bridge on Thursday 5th January. Arsenal could potentially have a 10 point lead if they beat Newcastle and Man City drop points again. Another two games that could be tricky in the race for top four as Spurs head to Selhurst Park and Liverpool travel to take on an in form Brentford side. Man United have a great opportunity to put the pressure on third place as they welcome Bournemouth to Old Trafford.