Spurs, Manchester United bounce back into top 4 race

United remain 4 points off UCL places after thrashing Newcastle 4-1

LONDON: Manchester United and Tottenham bounced back on Boxing Day to take advantage of another shock home defeat for Chelsea, who lost 2-0 to Southampton, and close in on the Premier League’s top four.

Mikel Arteta got off to an underwhelming start as Arsenal manager with a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth, but Carlo Ancelotti had a more positive impact on his Everton bow as Dominic Calvert-lewin’s brilliant diving header earned a 1-0 win over Burnley.

Chelsea beat Tottenham in a big win for Frank Lampard over his former mentor Jose Mourinho on Sunday, but the gap between the two is back down to three points as Spurs came from behind to beat Brighton 2-1 thanks to goals from Harry Kane and Dele Alli.

United are four points off the Champions League places as they too overturned a poor start to thrash Newcastle 4-1 with Anthony Martial scoring twice. The top two clash later when Leicester host Liverpool hoping to close the gap on the recently crowned world champions to seven points.

After the highs of Sunday, Chelsea again struggled when faced with breaking down stubborn defensive opponents in Southampton.

The Blues have now lost to West Ham, Bournemouth and the Saints in their last four home league games.

“We are being asked a different question at home. At the moment we are not answering them,” said a frustrated Lampard.

“We do not manage to pick up that final pass.”

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl’s decision to rest inform talisman Danny Ings paid off as his replacement Michael Obafemi scored just his second Premier League goal with a calm finish into the top corner.

The visitors then secured a second straight win to move up to 14th when Nathan Redmond prodded past the onrushing Kepa Arrizabalaga 17 minutes from time.

Spurs were still feeling the after effects of that Chelsea defeat with Son Heung-min suspended, but two of their other star men stood up to be counted after Adam Webster Brighton ahead midway through the first half.

Kane swept home at the second attempt after his first shot was saved by Mat Ryan before Alli then delivered all three points with a delightful chipped finish from an acute angle. “It’s an unbelievable finish,” Kane said admiringly of Alli’s winner.

“The ball is cut back to him, comes to hit Kieran - rounds him so quickly and it’s a kind of scoop over the goalkeeper it’s fantastic.”

United were also beaten 2-0 at bottom-of-the-table Watford on Sunday and another frustrating evening seemingly beckoned when Matty Longstaff scored his second Premier League goal - both of which have come against the Red Devils.

However, unlike when the Magpies beat Ole Gunnar Solskajer’s men 1-0 in October, the response from United was emphatic.

Martial fired in at the near post with the help of Newcastle ‘keeper Martin Dubravka before a thundering finish from Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford’s header made it 3-1 before the break.

Another defensive error then teed up Martial to dink over Dubravka for the fourth early in the second half.

Arteta got an early lesson in the flaws that have blighted Arsenal’s season as they were caught out trying to play from the back to concede the opening goal when Dan Gosling put

Bournemouth in front.

Pierre-emerick Aubameyang again rode to the Gunners’ rescue to equalise just after the hour mark, but a point leaves Arsenal still down in 11th.

“It was intense, I was so excited, I just wanted to pass that energy to the players and I really enjoyed it,” said Arteta.

“I think we had the chances in the second half to put the game in our favour, but in general in terms of attitude, desire and commitment, it was better than expected.”

Ancelotti enjoyed the perfect start as Calvert-lewin provided a rare spark to a game of few chances at Goodison.

“A special day for me, abso

lutely,” said Ancelotti on his return to the Premier League.

“The fact we didn’t concede a goal was important. We didn’t concede a shot, all the team did a good effort.”

Sheffield United are sixth, behind Tottenham only on goal difference, as they missed the chance to close to within a point of Chelsea in a 1-1 draw with Watford. Gerard Deulofeu gave the Hornets an early

lead, but that was quickly cancelled out by Oliver Norwood’s penalty. Crystal Palace climbed up to eighth thanks to Jordan Ayew’s brilliant individual run and finish a minute from time to beat West Ham 2-1.

Aston Villa won the battle of two of the bottom three as Conor Hourihane’s fine strike was enough to beat Norwich 1-0.

LIVERPOOL: Jurgen Klopp insisted it is not yet party time for Liverpool despite tightening their grip on the Premier League title race with a dominant 4-0 thrashing of secondplaced Leicester to open up a 13-point lead at the top of the table.

Roberto Firmino scored twice from Trent Alexanderarnold crosses either side of James Milner’s penalty before the brilliant AlexanderArnold rounded off the scoring himself.

Liverpool also have a game in hand over Leicester and seem destined to finally end a 30-year wait to win the title.

“With all the things around us, the biggest quality of my boys is that we are not listening really, we are completely focused on what we have to do,” Klopp told Amazon Prime.

“I’m really good at partying my friends will tell you, but I never wanted to have a party without a reason.

“If there is something to celebrate I will tell you, until then we will work.”

Fresh from winning the Club World Cup for the first time in Qatar on Saturday, Klopp’s men showed no sign of fatigue from a congested December schedule as they outclassed the Foxes from start to finish.

Alexander-arnold was a constant threat rampaging forward from right-back and stung Kasper Schmeichel’s palms inside the first minute before Klopp soon had his head in his hands when Sadio Mane somehow spooned Mohamed Salah’s dangerous cross wide.

An opener for the runaway league leaders was only a matter of time and duly arrived just after the half hour mark when Alexander-arnold’s cross was headed powerfully down past Schmeichel.

The Danish goalkeeper had ensured Leicester’s 3-1 defeat at Manchester City on Saturday was not far more comprehensive and needed to be at his best again to keep the Foxes in the game as he saved one-onone from Mane moments later.

Two heavy defeats in five days have proved to be a reality check for Leicester’s title ambitions with their focus now on making sure they hold off a chasing pack including Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United to secure a return to the Champions League.

“It’s important there is a little bit of perspective,” said Schmeichel. “If you told us we would be in the position we are at the start of the season we would have taken it.

“We take this as inspiration, that’s the level. Those are probably the two best teams in the world at the minute and that’s the level we have to aspire to be.”

Liverpool, by contrast, demonstrated why they are Champions League winners and Premier League champions in waiting.

Klopp’s men finally had the breathing space they desired via the arm of Caglar Soyuncu as he handled Alexanderarnold’s corner 20 minutes from time. Milner had only been on the field a matter of seconds and stroked home the penalty with his first touch.

Three minutes later, Firmino doubled his tally of goals and Alexander-arnold added a third assist with a driven low cross that the Brazilian expertly cushioned before slotting into the top corner.

Alexander-arnold then capped a magnificent performance by blasting low and hard beyond Schmeichel into the bottom corner.

The Boxing Day card marks the halfway point of the Premier League season, but even with half the season to play, Liverpool’s march towards the title looks unstoppable.

“It is theirs to lose,” added Schmeichel.