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Liverpool, once again performing impressively on live television worldwide, reclaimed their four-point advantage at the top of the Premier League (PL) table, thanks to a four-contribution performance from their star player, Mohamed Salah. They defeated Tottenham Hotspur 6-3 in North London, securing their 16th victory in the last 24 top-flight encounters between the two sides (six draws, two losses).  

With the two teams set to clash again in the EFL Cup semi-finals early next year, this match provided both managers an opportunity to assess their opposition as they pursue the first major trophy of the season. Liverpool, however, has their sights set on larger achievements, and their dominant first-half display clearly demonstrated why. Just days after a shaky performance against Manchester United, Fraser Forster gifted Salah possession inside Spurs’ penalty area within the opening three minutes. However, the Egyptian’s wide shot into the side netting let the home goalkeeper off the hook.

This early chance foreshadowed the rest of the half, as Liverpool’s attacks relentlessly targeted Forster’s goal. Salah uncharacteristically missed several opportunities. The PL’s leading scorer did hit the crossbar after Tottenham carelessly lost possession in a dangerous position, but Liverpool’s opening goal soon followed. Their persistent pressure down the right flank paid off when Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered a signature, precise cross that Luis Díaz expertly headed into the bottom corner.

As halftime approached, Liverpool’s relentless pressure yielded a deserved second goal. A cross from opposite full-back Andrew Robertson was poorly defended by Tottenham, and Alexis Mac Allister headed the loose ball past Forster. The Argentinian then quickly transitioned from hero to villain, losing possession to Dejan Kulusevski, who set up James Maddison to curl a shot home, reducing his team’s deficit. Any hopes of a Tottenham comeback were quickly extinguished, however, as another swift Liverpool attack culminated in Salah assisting Dominik Szoboszlai, who scored in first-half stoppage time.  

This assist made Salah the first player in PL history to reach both 10 goals and 10 assists before Christmas. He further increased his goal tally shortly after the restart, scoring from close range after Tottenham failed to clear Gakpo’s cutback, marking his 228th goal for Liverpool – a feat surpassed by only three other players in the club’s history. Tottenham struggled to contain Liverpool’s clinical attacking play, and Salah added a fifth goal around the hour mark after being set up by Szoboszlai.  

Despite Tottenham’s commitment to attacking football, which saw Kulusevski score a well-taken volley to reduce the deficit, and Dominic Solanke adding another seven minutes from time after Brennan Johnson’s headed assist, their hopes were ultimately dashed when Díaz scored Liverpool’s sixth, sealing a resounding victory. This result marks Tottenham’s tenth defeat in their last 12 matches against teams starting the day at the PL summit.   Sources and related content

Bournemouth delivered a stunning 3-0 Premier League triumph over Manchester United at Old Trafford for the second consecutive season, leaving the Red Devils in the bottom half of the table at Christmas for the first time since 1989.  

Reflecting their contrasting fortunes, Bournemouth arrived at Old Trafford with a three-point lead over a struggling Manchester United side, whose hopes of silverware diminished after Thursday’s EFL Cup quarter-final loss to Tottenham Hotspur. Following a subdued opening, the home crowd was dismayed to witness their team concede the first goal for the sixth successive match, as Bournemouth capitalized on a set-piece opportunity just before the half-hour mark. Dean Huijsen connected with Ryan Christie’s in-swinging free-kick, directing a glancing header past Onana for his first Premier League away goal.  

The former Roma defender nearly went from hero to villain when he conceded possession deep in his own half, but Chelsea loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga intervened with a timely save to deny Bruno Fernandes. Trailing at halftime, an unhappy Ruben Amorim made a double substitution just nine minutes into the second half, introducing Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund in an attempt to spark a comeback.

However, their challenge intensified when Noussair Mazraoui conceded a penalty for a clumsy tackle on Justin Kluivert. Kluivert, who scored three penalties in last month’s victory over Wolves, once again demonstrated his proficiency from the spot, waiting for Onana to commit before calmly placing the ball into the net. Just two minutes later, a shell-shocked Onana was retrieving the ball from his net again after Antoine Semenyo converted Dango Ouattara’s cut-back, sending the travelling fans into jubilation while the rest of Old Trafford watched in stunned silence.

Fortunately for United’s frustrated supporters, the rampant visitors inflicted no further damage. Semenyo’s fifth goal of the season capped off a fourth win in five games in impressive fashion for Andoni Iraola’s team, who enter Christmas in fifth place. While Bournemouth dreams of European qualification, Manchester United remains in 13th, enduring what is becoming a truly nightmarish season.   Sources and related content

Wolverhampton Wanderers significantly boosted their chances of remaining in the Premier League with a commanding 3-0 away victory against fellow relegation contenders Leicester City – marking their first away win in this fixture since May 2007.

This match marked the beginning of Vítor Pereira’s tenure as Wolves’ manager, and he faces a considerable challenge to guide the team away from the relegation zone. Their quest almost began disastrously when Bilal El Khannouss played Jamie Vardy through on goal, but José Sá deflected Vardy’s attempted chip with his chest. The visitors capitalized on this escape midway through the first half, scoring a simple opening goal. Nélson Semedo’s long ball forward bypassed the entire Leicester defense, allowing Gonçalo Guedes to execute an acrobatic finish from inside the box.

In a moment of generosity, James Justin gifted Wolves a second goal when he inexplicably allowed the ball to run through to Rodrigo Gomes, whose deflected shot wrong-footed Danny Ward and crossed the goal line. Leicester struggled to respond, though Vardy’s shot was cleared off the line by Toti. Capitalizing on Leicester’s misfortune, Wolves immediately scored a third before halftime, with Matheus Cunha’s shot finding the net off the post.

The game seemed effectively decided at halftime, but Leicester attempted to mount a comeback after the restart. In a near replay of the first half, Vardy was again played through on goal, and this time he rounded Sá, but his shot only found the side netting. Apart from this opportunity, Leicester failed to create any significant chances, perhaps explaining why Ruud van Nistelrooy opted not to bring on their second-highest scorer, Facundo Buonanotte, from the bench.

In reality, the 3-0 scoreline likely flattered Leicester, who nearly conceded a fourth when an unmarked João Gomes headed wide from close range. However, the game was already secured by that point, rendering his miss inconsequential. Despite spending Christmas Day in the bottom three, Wolves now sit just two points behind Leicester in 17th, a much more encouraging position than a defeat would have left them in.

Fulham, managed by Marco Silva, were unable to close the gap to within a single point of the Premier League’s top six, as they played out their fourth draw in five games against a defensively sound Southampton team.

A lackluster first half offered little excitement by the River Thames, with Fulham struggling to penetrate a steadfast Southampton defense. Harry Wilson was the most lively player for the home side, unleashing two ambitious long-range shots, neither of which seriously troubled Aaron Ramsdale in the Southampton goal. Alex Iwobi posed a greater threat, prompting Ramsdale into a reflex save.

Possession remained largely with Fulham after the break, but emboldened by their first-half clean sheet, Southampton began to push forward. Adam Armstrong had the visitors’ clearest opportunity, forcing a save from Bernd Leno after a through ball from halftime substitute Cameron Archer.

Driven to avoid a third consecutive draw, Fulham pressed for a winning goal. Alex Iwobi missed a chance with a header he couldn’t direct on target, while Wilson, Fulham’s most dangerous player throughout, came close with a shot comfortably saved by Ramsdale.

Ultimately, Southampton secured their second point away from home this season with the draw, although Adama Traoré’s wide shot caused a moment of anxiety for the travelling supporters. This result provides a base for incoming manager Ivan Jurić to build upon, while Fulham have only managed one win in their last six outings.

Chelsea failed to seize the Premier League (PL) summit, drawing 0-0 with a revitalized Everton side, who have now remained unbeaten in six of their last seven home encounters (five wins, one draw, one loss). ¹  

1. EVERTON 0-0 CHELSEA: Premier League highlights – YouTube

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The Blues began aggressively at Goodison Park, though genuine scoring opportunities were scarce in the initial period. It wasn’t until nearly the 30-minute mark that Chelsea threatened Jordan Pickford, with Cole Palmer setting up Nicolas Jackson, whose shot was stopped, followed by Malo Gusto firing the rebound high. Shortly after, the visitors almost scored, as a corner kick reached the far post, where Jackson headed it onto the frame of the goal, only for Gusto to squander another rebound opportunity. Everton had limited possession in the first half, but a quick counter-attack spearheaded by Abdoulaye Doucouré provided a glimmer of hope for the home team, culminating in Orel Mangala testing Robert Sánchez with a powerful shot.

After their strong 0-0 draw against title contenders Arsenal, Everton boasted the most clean sheets (six) in Europe’s top five leagues since the beginning of October. The Toffees’ solid defense provided a foundation for what nearly became the opening goal shortly after halftime, but Sánchez made a crucial save to thwart an unmarked Jack Harrison from close range. The hosts continued to create chances as the second half progressed, with Sánchez once again instrumental in preventing Jesper Lindstrøm’s dangerous pass from reaching a teammate.

Ultimately, a draw was a reasonable result considering Everton’s second-half efforts. Chelsea’s inability to score means they will not top the table for Christmas, remaining in second place behind Liverpool. Although Merseyside rivals Everton have only secured one victory in their last eight league matches, this valuable point will benefit Sean Dyche as his team moves up to 15th position in the league table.