Manchester Dec 27 (BUS): Regardless of the coronavirus delays, 28 goals in the six Premier League Boxing Day matches provided a heavy dose of drama without even changing the complexion of the title race.
Even Manchester City, who were defeated 4-0 after 25 minutes, were able to turn things around with a 10-minute internal blast in the second half to end up with nine goals. The 6-3 win over Leicester left the defending champions six points ahead.
“It was a roller coaster, a typical boxing day with a lot of goals,” said City coach Pep Guardiola. “It was an entertaining game for everyone.”
Second-placed Liverpool held a postponed match at City after the COVID-19 outbreak in Leeds meant it was one of three matches postponed on Sunday, the Associated Press reports.
Chelsea are now level on points with Liverpool, after coming back from behind to defeat Aston Villa 3-1. Arsenal are six points behind, but in the event of high goals scored, beating last-placed Norwich 5-0.
Arsenal’s hold in fourth place is not very secure as Tottenham, who beat Crystal Palace 3-0, are six points behind but with three games in hand after the coronavirus and snow postponed this month.
Like Villa boss Steven Gerrard, his Palace counterpart Patrick Vieira began isolation this weekend after testing positive. Palace failed to cancel their match against Tottenham but the Premier League’s board of directors on Sunday agreed to two postponements for Tuesday.
Leeds, who were due to host Villa, and Wolverhampton, who were due to play at Arsenal, were considered to be short of enough players to get matches done due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
middle city
City have now won nine consecutive games in defense of their title to take the lead and are clearly ahead.
Early goal saw Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan score from open play and Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling from penalty shootouts.
Leicester threatened to return when James Madison, Ademola Lookman and Kelechi Iheanacho scored in 10 minutes in the second half, but Aymeric Laporte’s header and second Sterling eased City’s way to victory.
Lukaku ends the drought
Romelu Lukaku has not scored a goal in the Premier League since the home match against Aston Villa. She finished a trip to Villa dehydration that coincided with injuries and recovery from the Corona virus.
Lukaku came off the bench in the first half and the match was tied 1-1 after Jorginho canceled Reese James’ own goal from a penalty kick for Chelsea.
Lukaku took 11 minutes to score after a peek from Callum Hudson-Odoi’s cross. And led to a mistake by Esri Konsa to cut Lukaku’s way to another penalty kick, which Jorginho converted in stoppage time.
north london win
Tottenham are now unbeaten in six league matches since Antonio Conte took charge of reviving their Champions League qualification bid.
Lucas Moura scored and assisted for Harry Kane and Son Heung-min. Wilfried Zaha was sent off in the 37th minute when Palace was already 2-0 down after throwing his arms at Davinson Sanchez after he had already been booked.
Conte said: “We have to keep improving, to take advantage of the confidence that will improve us. We know well, I know well, we have a big job to do.”
Arsenal’s fourth successive league win came with a superb performance that saw Bukayo Saka net twice, Kieran Tierney and Alexandre Lacazette penalty kick, and Emile Smith Rowe completed the stoppage-time defeat.
Other matches
Brighton celebrated their first league win in 12 attempts to overtake Leicester to take ninth in the standings. Leandro Trossard and Neil Maupay scored in the first half to secure a 2-0 win over Brentford.
West Ham dropped out of fifth after losing 3-2 to Southampton, despite falling behind twice.
Mohamed El Younosi’s opener was called off by Michael Antonio, and Said Benrahma tied West Ham after a James Ward-Prowse penalty.
Jan Bednarek’s header in the 70th minute sealed Southampton’s victory.