The English Premier League (EPL) league table continues to get intense with each passing matchday. This past weekend produced some interesting results.
Leicester City 0-3 Newcastle
Newcastle United breezed to another impressive away victory to stay in the conversation for both a Champions League place – and dare I say it a Premier League title challenge. At a venue that once saw Newcastle celebrate top-flight safety in 2018, 2019 and 2021, the Magpies offered evidence they are aiming for much bigger things these days. This game was arguably done and dusted inside the first seven minutes as Chris Wood’s penalty and Miguel Almiron’s ninth of the season had the hosts 2-0 down before some home fans had even taken their seats. And it was certainly game over by 32 minutes as deflated Leicester went 3-0 down thanks to Joelinton’s powerful header. By the end, Eddie Howe even had the luxury of giving some of his stars a breather as they strolled to victory.
Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool
Liverpool made a winning return to Premier League action as Mohamed Salah starred and Stefan Bajcetic scored his first senior goal in an entertaining 3-1 Boxing Day win at Aston Villa. Salah handed Liverpool a strong start when he converted Andrew Robertson’s delivery from close range – making the left-back the defender with the most Premier League assists in history. The Egypt star then teed up Virgil van Dijk to steer home a deflected second, though Liverpool came under pressure after Ollie Watkins halved the arrears with just over half an hour remaining. However, Jurgen Klopp’s side made the points safe late on as substitute Bajcetic rounded Robin Olsen to score his first Premier League goal, moving Liverpool within five points of the top four.
Man Utd 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Marcus Rashford was the inspiration as Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 at Old Trafford on Tuesday in their first Premier League game since the World Cup break. Rashford played a starring role in the EFL Cup defeat of Burnley last week and was again United’s standout performer as they moved to within a point of fourth-placed Tottenham. The England forward opened the scoring for a dominant United with a goal straight off the training ground before setting up Anthony Martial. Forest had a goal wiped out just before the break, but it was not a precursor to United coming under greater scrutiny in the second period as they coasted before adding a late third through substitute Fred. Erik ten Hag was forced to pick a somewhat unfamiliar backline due to illness, with Luke Shaw at centre-back.
Other Results:
Brentford 2-2 Tottenham
Southampton 1-3 Brighton
Crystal Palace 0-3 Fulham
Everton 1-2 Wolves
Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
Chelsea 2-0 Bournemouth
Leeds United 1-3 Man City
