Category: Football (Soccer)

Liverpool came from behind to comfortably beat Leicester and stretch their lead at the top of the table to seven plump, juicy points

Curiously the Guardian’s report on the match against Aldershot mentioned by Tom Gould does not at any stage mention fog or visibility issues. It does criticise “a pitch that did no service to football and … defied all attempts at elegant play”, though.

It’s still very foggy at Anfield. No suggestion the game might be in doubt, but you never know.

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The visiting captain, Marc Guéhi, branded Crystal Palace’s goalless draw with Bournemouth a “rubbish game” and “boring for the neutral”.

Palace bounced back from Saturday’s 5-1 home hammering at the hands of Arsenal by claiming a creditable point at the Vitality Stadium.

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Sandro Tonali has brought Newcastle an abundance of gifts but perhaps foremost among them is the rare ability to slow games down that offers Eddie Howe’s high-intensity team the sort of invaluable control they have so often lacked in recent months.

With Tonali once again imperious at the base of midfield as he ran through his Andrea Pirlo‑esque repertoire of short and long passes, seamless interceptions and all-round superior vision, Newcastle were in front before Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán’s controversial 32nd‑minute sending-off was followed by a 20-man half-time altercation in the tunnel.

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Fulham pulled off a famous late win at Chelsea, Newcastle beat Villa and Forest piled the pain on Spurs

Hapless City were fortunate not to lose that at the end.

Savinho has just committed a hilarious mis-kick for City against Everton when apparently attempting a cross. That’s all you need to know.

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Manchester City’s plight is their individual kind of deja vu nightmare. Featuring domination, taking the lead, creating numerous chances, the spurning of these, and the pesky foe taking one of their very few to thwart those in blue.

Add to the above a dismal 53rd-minute Erling Haaland penalty miss – greeted with a mischievous wink by Jordan Pickford following his save – and times are ever more trying for Pep Guardiola’s men.

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Jordan Pickford saved Erling Haaland’s penalty as Manchester City’s miserable run of form continued

A reminder of the teams

Manchester City (possible 4-3-3) Ortega Moreno; Lewis, Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol; Foden, Kovacic, Bernardo; Savinho, Haaland, Doku.
Substitutes: Carson, Brits, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Simpson-Pusey, Mubama, Alleyne, O’Reilly, McAtee

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Arne Slot urged his players to keep their foot on the accelerator after Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points with a wild 6-3 victory against Tottenham. Although the manager felt his team produced their best attacking performance in an away game under him, he was not happy with a drop in intensity at 5-1 that gave Spurs brief hope of a comeback. The score was pulled back to 5-3 and Liverpool, who ended up capitalising on Chelsea’s draw with Everton earlier in the day, were reminded that they must maintain their focus if they are to win the league.

• Arne Slot warns against complacency despite Liverpool’s six-goal display

• Ange Postecoglou’s unserious Spurs exposed by serious Liverpool

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Liverpool make a statement, Pep Guardiola tries to see the funny side and Sandro Tonali fires on all cylinders

Midway through Ruben Amorim’s post-defeat media conference the roof in the press room, located in the bowels of Old Trafford, did what some of the outside sections of the stadium do: leak. Spots of water hit a scribe perched in the front row, merriment ensued, and Manchester United’s head coach offered a wry smile, a fitting end to an afternoon on which Bournemouth had rained on his side’s pre-Christmas Day parade. Nine games into his tenure, the Portuguese’s coach record is poor – four wins, four losses and a draw – and the next four matches look tough: Wolves (away), Newcastle (home), Liverpool (away) and a trip to Arsenal in the FA Cup. Amorim, who continually repeats the need for victory, knows things have to improve. Jamie Jackson

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Ruben Amorim said Manchester United's players and fans were 'suffering' after a damaging 3-0 Premier League loss to Bournemouth at Old Trafford. Dean Huijsen exposed United's frailties from set pieces with a first-half header before Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo added goals after the break to secure three points for the visitors

• Semenyo seals stunning Bournemouth win to add to Manchester United misery

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