Premier League gameweek 20 review

Updated On Dec 27, 2017 by David Nugent

Usually there is a feast of Premier League football on Boxing Day and the latest edition certainly did not disappoint, with goals galore in the English top-flight.

Here is what happened on one of the biggest days in the English football season:

Tottenham 5-2 Southampton

The first fixture of the day produced goals galore. England striker bagged Harry Kane bagged a brace in the first half, before Dele Alli and Heung Min-son got in on the act early in the second half.

Southampton got a goal back through Sofiane Boufal just past the hour mark. However, Kane restored the home side’s league on 67 minutes. The goal was the striker’s 39th goal of the calendar year, which means he beat the record of 36th scored in one year by Alan Shearer in 1995. Dusan Tadic added a second consolation goal with eight minutes left on the clock, but the game was well and truly up by that point.

The win leaves Spurs fifth in the table and one point behind fourth-place Liverpool, who are the favourites to seal the fourth Champions League spot this season. The Saints are now 14th place in the table and just two points above the relegation zone.

Bournemouth 3-3 West Ham

An incredible bottom of the table clash at the Vitality Stadium saw honours even. West Ham took an early lead through defender James Collins.

However, Dan Gosling equalised for the Cherries before Nathan Ake gave the home side the lead early in the second period. That was not the end of the twists and turns though. The visitors roared back, as Marko Arnautovic bagged a brace in the last ten minutes, with his 89th minute looking set to win the game.

However, there was still far more controversy to come. Bournemouth levelled the scores three minutes into stoppage-time. Callum Wilson headed home, but the goal initially looked to be ruled out for offside, while replays showed the ball also hit Wilson on the arm.

Referee Bobby Madley had a long discussion with his assistant before allowing the goal to stand much to the anger of the visitors. The draw still leaves both teams in a relegation dogfight. Bournemouth are 18th, while West Ham are just a point and place better off than the Cherries in the table.

Manchester United 2-2 Burnley

Manchester United had to fight back from two goals down to rescue a point against this seasons surprise package Burnley.

The Clarets took the lead very early in the game through an Ashley Barnes effort. Sean Dyche’s team then doubled their lead on 36 minutes courtesy of a sublime Steven Defour free-kick.

Half-time substitute Jesse Lingard halved the visitors lead 53 minutes through a well-taken goal, after missing a golden opportunity prior to his goal. The Red Devils also had the winger to thank for the second goal, as his half volley levelled the scores in the first minute of stoppage-time.

The draw leaves United second in the Premier League table, 12 points behind leaders Manchester City, who play their game in-hand against Newcastle on Wednesday night. Burnley meanwhile are still seventh place in the top-flight table, but are only five points behind fifth-place Liverpool.

Liverpool 5-0 Swansea

Liverpool once again displayed their awesome firepower in the late kick-off, blowing away the league’s bottom club. Philippe Coutinho opened the scoring on six minutes. Roberto Firmino added a second brace, which sandwiched an effort from Trent Alexander-Arnold. England international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain completed the rout on 82 minutes.

The win means that Jurgen Klopp’s side are just a point ahead of fifth-place Tottenham. Things are looking bleak for Swansea, as the Welsh side are now five points from safety with the league’s worst goal difference.

Other results from Boxing Day:

Chelsea 2-0 Brighton

Huddersfield 1-1 Stoke

Watford 2-1 Leicester

West Brom 0-0 Everton

Which Premier League team produced the most impressive display of Boxing Day?

David Nugent Author

First off, I want to say hi and wish a warm welcome to all gambling aficionados out there! My name is David Nugent and I am editor-in-chief of LegalGamblingAndTheLaw.com. I have always enjoyed various sports, primarily soccer, as I am a die-hard Everton fan.

Over time, I learned more about sports betting and discovered the fascinating online gambling industry. Eventually,...

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