A day after Christmas, on a Boxing Day in Premier league is always fun. On a schedule for play it was the 18th round and the “Big Boys” have entered new points.
In the opening game, at home, Watford against Crystal Palace have played a 1-1 draw. Cabaye in the 26th minute gave the visitors a lead which Benteke could increase in the 37th minute from a penalty but Gomes saved his attempt. Punishment for that came in the 71st minute when Deeney converted a penalty for the home side and thus set the final score, Watford 1, Crystal Palace 1.
FC Burnley against Middlesbrough in the 80th minute over Gray scored for a minimum 1-0 win with which The Clarets jumped over the Boro on the table.
Despite having a lot of chances, Arsenal only in the 87th minute managed to find a winner against WBA who’ve had only one shot on the goal. Ozil sent a beautiful cross which the French striker Oliver Giroud headed past helpless Foster for. An important late win with which the Gunners keep pace with the top placed clubs.
The league topper, Chelsea celebrated at the Stamford Bridge an easy win led by inspired Spaniard, Pedro who opened the scoring in the 24th minute and sealed the final result, 3-0 in the injury time. Hazard from a penalty at the start of the second half, in the 49th minute, increased the lead to 2-0. With new three points, Antonio Conte’s men kept a nine-point lead towards the second Liverpool and the third-placed Arsenal in the moment, considering that the Citizens are playing later.
The reigning Champions, Leicester City lost at home to Everton 2-0, who bounced back to the winning ways following the last round late defeat against Liverpool. After a goalless first half, Mirallas scored an opener for the Toffees in the 51st minute. In the injury time, Lukaku has set the final score Leicester City 0, Everton 2. With new three points at their account, the Toffees jumped to the 7th place having 26 points, while the Foxes sit on the 16th place, having only three points above the relegation zone.
Jose Mourinho’s men at the Old Trafford against the Black Cats sealed a 3-1 win and thus kept their place close to the top placed teams. Blind in the 39th minute on Ibrahimovic’s assist gave the Red Devils an opening lead which remained on the score until the last ten minutes.
Not a bad late Christmas present! #MUFC #MUNSUN pic.twitter.com/JTS1kE5yvw
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 26, 2016
In the 82nd Ibrahimovic scored for 2-0, assisted by Pogba, while only four minutes later on Ibrahimovic’s assist, Henrikh Mkhitaryan netted from an offside a superb goal and brought a happy Christmas to the Red Devils’ fans.
West Ham United booked their third consecutive win with which the Hammers moved from the bottom and joined the Premier league middle with 22 points. On his return to south Wales, Andre Ayew scored and helped the Hammers in process of taking all three points. Already in the 13th minute, Andre Ayew fired an opener. Reid in the 50th minute scored for 2-0, Antonio in the 78th minute for 3-0.
Merry Christmas Hammers 🎄👏⚒
[1-4] #COYI #SWAWHU pic.twitter.com/t1UEawKIHK
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) December 26, 2016
Llorente in the 89th minute scored an only goal for the Swans, but Bilic’s boys responded well, scoring just a minute later over Andy Carroll and sealing an important away 4-1 win.
Premier league table
Hull City and Manchester City are playing later, Liverpool will host Stoke City on Tuesday, while the Spurs are playing on tour at Southampton on Wednesday.