Man City Six Points Clear, Arsenal Five Star Performance and West Ham Suffer Another Loss: Boxing Day PL Round-Up

Manchester City players celebrate a win against Leicester City at the Etihad on December 26.
Manchester City players celebrate a win against Leicester City at the Etihad on December 26.

It was a Christmas goal fest to remember as 28 goals flew in on Boxing Day in just six Premier League matches played.

TeamKenya takes you through the major talking points from the Premier League action on Boxing Day. 

 
Manchester City Unstoppable 

Manchester City survived a spirited Leicester City fightback to prevail 6-3 winners in a thrilling Boxing Day encounter at the Etihad Stadium. 

Though pegged back to 4-3 from 4-0 up, Pep Guardiola's men moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League following a ninth successive victory, with second-placed Liverpool having played a game less. 

The Foxes came roaring back after the break as James Maddison, Ademola Lookman and Kelechi Iheanacho threatened the most unlikely comeback, but Aymeric Laporte and Sterling got the Citizens back on track and secured the points. 

Man City look to make it 10 successive league wins when they travel to Brentford on Wednesday. 

 
Arsenal Five Star Performance 

Bukayo Saka scored twice as Arsenal recorded a hefty 5-0 win over Norwich City at Carrow Road to secure their fourth consecutive Premier League victory. 

Saka's early opener was followed up with a goal from Kieran Tierney just before the break as the Gunners dominated from the start. 

Arsenal sealed the win in the second half as Saka notched his second goal of the game, before Alexandre Lacazette netted a late penalty and substitute Emile Smith Rowe added gloss in stoppage time. 

The resounding victory saw Mikel Arteta's side close the gap on third-placed Chelsea, who play later on Saturday against Aston Villa, to three points. 

Arsenal have scored more goals in their last two Premier League away games (nine) than they managed in their first eight on the road this season (six), while this is the first time the Gunners have netted 4+ goals in consecutive away games in the competition since April 2009. 

Norwich extended their record of most Premier League games on Boxing Day without ever winning, with the Canaries losing seven of their eight such games in the competition (D1). 

 

West Ham Suffer Yet Another Loss 

Southampton bagged their first win in seven league games after defeating West Ham 3-2 at the London Stadium. 

Ralph Hasenhuttl's sides goals came from Mohamed Elyounoussi, James Ward-Prowse and Jan Bednarek. Hammers goal came from Michail Antonio and Said Benrahma 

The defeat meant West Ham dropped to sixth, and manager Moyes was disappointed after the full-time whistle.  

Moyes' side suffered their first home defeat against an opponent starting the day in the bottom half of the table since December 2019. 

Southampton picked up their first Premier League win over West Ham since August 2017. 

The Saints scored more goals today than they had in their previous eight Premier League games combined. 

Since winning four consecutive league games between late October and early November, West Ham have only managed to win one of their last seven. 

 

Kane Continues Boxing Day Scoring Record 

Harry Kane continued his fantastic Boxing Day scoring record as Tottenham eased to a 3-0 win over 10-man Crystal Palace in the Premier League. 

Goals from Kane and Lucas Moura in quick succession put Spurs in command, the England captain netting in his sixth consecutive Boxing Day fixture to match Robbie Fowler's Premier League scoring record of nine goals the day after Christmas. 

Wilfried Zaha was then dismissed before half-time for two bookable offences and Son Heung-min added a third goal after the interval as Spurs cruised to three points at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 

Victory means Spurs are unbeaten in six top-flight games since Antonio Conte's arrival, moving further into contention for a Champions League place with games in hand on those around them in pursuit of the top four. 

Conte's side remain six points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal, but have three games in hand on their fierce rivals. 

Palace, in contrast, have only one win in seven top-fight games and are in 12th spot. 

 

Chelsea Back to Winning 

Romelu Lukaku scored his first Premier League goal since September and Jorginho struck from the penalty spot twice as Chelsea beat Aston Villa 3-1. 

Thomas Tuchel's side had fallen behind to a Reece James own goal in the 28th minute, but they restored parity shortly after thanks to a Jorginho spot-kick. 

Half-time substitute Lukaku then headed home for the first time in the top flight since he scored a brace against Villa at Stamford Bridge on September 11, before Jorginho added a third with another penalty in stoppage time.  

The victory meant Chelsea moved level on points with second-placed Liverpool, who have a game in hand, while Villa slipped to 10th after earlier moving up to ninth following Leicester City's heavy defeat to Manchester City. 

 

Brighton into Top 10 

First-half goals from Leandro Trossard and Neal Maupay helped Brighton pick up their first win in three months as they defeated Brentford 2-0 at the AMEX Stadium. 

Potter's side enjoyed their 12th Premier League win of 2021, only in 1982 have they won more top-flight league matches in a single calendar year. 

The newly promoted side , Brentford  have only won two of their last 10 Premier League games. 

The side led by Frank have lost as many Premier League games this season (7) as they did in their entire Championship campaign last season.