Everton feel festive after Digne double

AS CHRISTMAS hangover cures go, this was pretty much perfect from Everton. Forget overindulgence on the brandy — the headaches suffered by those who made the short journey from Merseyside to East Lancashire were of the football variety. Sunday’s 6-2 humbling at the hands of Tottenham had left Toffees fans feeling fragile after five without a win. However, a five-star showing – with goals from Yerry Mina, two from Lucas Digne, a penalty for from Gylfi Sigurdson along with one for sub Richarlison, with Ben Gibson’s tap-in the only response in a 5-1 win – worked wonders to clear the heads and left struggling Burnley three points from safety. At Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace and Cardiff City recorded a goalless draw. Palace manager Roy Hodgson had hoped to build on his side’s triumph at Manchester City and put further daylight between themselves and the Premier League relegation zone, while Cardiff were hoping that the 5-1 demolition by Manchester United would not further dent their confidence. Andros Townsend hit the bar in the first minute and Luka Milivojevic hit a post from a freekick in the 62nd but Palace could not get through and it took a great save from Vicente Guaita in the last minute from Kadeem Harris to deny the visitors a shock win. The game between Wolves and Fulham ended 1-1 at Craven Cottage. Wolves midfielder Romain Saiss scored his maiden Premier League goal to deny struggling Fulham what would have been their third victory of the season. The Cottagers were leading through substitute Ryan Sessegnon’s second-half strike and six minutes from registering a vital win in their survival bid. But Moroccan Saiss had other ideas, snatching a draw and leaving Claudio Ranieri’s side, who started the day in bottom spot, still in deep trouble.