Week 17 saw some of the top contenders make a statement entering the busy holiday week. Liverpool outclassed Tottenham Hotspur in a 6-3 embarrassment in front of Spurs fans. Mo Salah scored twice and assisted on a third goal during the rout to become the first Premier League player ever to reach double digit goals and assists before Christmas.
Arsenal also served notice that the Gunners are not done with this title race. Like Spurs, Crystal Palace was embarrassed in front of its home fans as Arsenal pinned a 5-1 defeat on the Eagles. Gabriel Jeus continued his dominance over Crystal Palace, scoring twice in Saturday’s league win after notching a hat trick in a Carabao Cup victory over the Eagles on Wednesday. Jesus’s form could be crucial for Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta in the coming weeks. The Gunners have had problems scoring from open play and now could be without the services of talisman Bukayo Saka for an extended period. The winger’s torn hamstring in Saturday’s win cast a pall over an otherwise perfect afternoon for Arsenal.
The Gunners are now two points behind second place Chelsea after the prolific Blues attack was shut down in a goalless draw at Everton. Tenacious defense by the Toffees delivered the point to their new ownership, The Friedkin Group, who completed their purchase of the historic side just days before the match. Everton’s win put an end to an eight-match winning run across all competitions for Chelsea. Toffee results of late are subject to interpretation. Everton have lost only twice in their last 12 matches but, on the other hand, have won just three of their 16 Premier League matches.
The quality of Nottingham Forest, however, is becoming clearer as the Tricky Trees won their ninth Premier League game, matching the win total of Arsenal, with a 2-0 win at Brentford. The Forest victory, the third consecutive win and fourth in five matches by the Trees, marked the first time a visitor had captured three points at Brentford’s Gtech Stadium this season. This team. 🩵 pic.twitter.com/2vd9Z4Lkho
Bournemouth is another side that has won four of five matches to move up the table. Sunday’s 3-0 win at Manchester United extended a five-match winning run that has seen the Cherries jump from 13th to fifth place in the Premier League table. Manchester United is currently 13th in the table after a third loss in its last four matches. New Manager Reuben Amorim has received a rude welcome to the Premier League as he grasps an improved understanding of the challenges that face Manchester United.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, responded to its own loss last week to the Cherries by getting well at the expense of beleaguered Manchester City. Morgan Rogers had a goal and an assist as the Villans moved past Manchester City in the table. Rogers is one of several former Manchester City prospects now enjoying success elsewhere in the league as the Citizens’ roster ages and declines. Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, of course, is the most noteworthy case of the “one that got away” from the Citizens. Manchester City has now lost nine of its last twelve matches across all competitions. Aston Villa leapfrogged over Manchester City into the top six with the victory. Villa’s other goal scorer on the day, Jhon Duran, tied Ollie Watkins for the team lead with his seventh league goal of the season.
The bottom of the table saw both Wolves and Southampton get a result after the sacking of their mangers last weekend. Wolves prevailed 3-0 at Lecester to pull within two points of the Foxes and safety. Goncalo Guedes had a goal and an assist to help new manager Vitor Pereira to his first Premier League victory. Perhaps more surprising than Wolves notching a win over another relegation threatened side, however, was Southampton going into Craven Cottage and emerging with a point in a goalless draw versus a Fulham side which has spent much of the season in the top half of the table. Despite Saturday’s potentially valuable point in the survival race, the Saints point total of six still represents the third lowest total at this point in the season in Premier League history.
New Manager Ivan Juric watched on from the press section. Ipswich Town, still with the manager it began the season with, was smashed 4-0 by Newcastle and is now level on points with Wolverhampton. The Tractor Boys’ manager Kieran McKenna could not feel too comfortable as he watched Newcastle’s Alexander Isak strafe his defense for three goals.
A three-match unbeaten run has alleviated some minor relegation threat for West Ham. The Hammers are now eight points clear of the league’s laggards after a 1-1 draw with Brighton.
Boxing Day will see eight Premier League matches with an additional two on Friday. Newcastle will have the opportunity to move past Aston Villa in the table with a win over the visiting Villans at St. James’s Park on Thursday. Other Boxing Day matches include Chelsea hosting a London derby versus Fulham while streaking Nottingham Forest will be home to face reeling Tottenham Hotspur.
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