Liverpool crush closest challengers
Alexander-Arnold scores one and helps set up the other three as Reds take what looks an unassailable lead
First came the Champions League title, then the Club World Cup last week. Now, with a 13-point lead, Liverpool will surely be champions of England again by May.
Nearest challengers Leicester were blown away in a 4-0 victory that pushes Liverpool closer to ending a three-decade league title drought.
There is half the season still to play but the gulf was vast yesterday, exposed by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s repertoire of assists and a goal from the right back.
Alexander-Arnold’s crosses set up both of Roberto Firmino’s goals and another was handled by Leicester’s Caglar Soyuncu which led to James Milner scoring a penalty.
Manchester City’s title challenge faded long ago, as the defending champions sit a point back in third. They play at Wolves this morning.
Below that, inconsistent form is rife. Chelsea remain fourth despite losing a seventh game of the season earlier in the day, beaten 2-0 by a struggling Southampton side that lost 9-0 to Leicester two months ago.
Tottenham are three points behind Chelsea after recovering from losing to their west London rivals on Monday by beating Brighton 2-1.
Sheffield United were behind Tottenham only on goal difference, riding high on their return to the top flight, but were held 1-1 by relegationthreatened Watford.
After losing to Watford in the previous round, Manchester United came from behind to beat Newcastle 4-1.
It looked like being another miserable day for United against Newcastle when Matty Longstaff netted the opener, having scored the winner when the sides met in October.
But Anthony Martial’s double, Mason Greenwood’s strike and Marcus Rashford’s header turned the match for the hosts.
It was a bleak start as Arsenal manager for Mikel Arteta when Dan Gosling put Bournemouth ahead in the first half.
But Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rescued a point for the north London club in the second half with his 12th goal of the league campaign.
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti, a Premier League title winner with Chelsea, is vastly more experienced than Arteta.
And the Italian began his bid to steer Everton away from the relegation zone with a 1-0 victory over Burnley clinched by Dominic CalvertLewin’s diving header.
Tottenham’s Harry Kane has scored on Boxing Day in each of the last six years apart from 2016, when he did not play. The Spurs striker cancelled out Adam Webster’s opener for Brighton, then Dele Alli clinched the win to make it five goals in eight games under Jose Mourinho.
Aston Villa are a point from safety after a 1-0 victory over Norwich, who slumped to last place. Substitute Conor Hourihane swept a shot into the top corner in the 82nd minute after being picked out by Jack Grealish.
West Ham are a point above Villa after losing 2-1 at Crystal Palace, who sealed the victory through Jordan Ayew’s strike in the 90th minute.
Watford are off the bottom of the standings thanks to keeper Ben Foster protecting a 1-1 draw at Sheffield United.
Foster made a point-blank save, clawing away John Fleck’s shot in the second half at Bramall Lane, where Oliver Norwood’s penalty cancelled out Gerard Deulofeu’s opener for Watford.