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The festive period is always jam-packed with Premier League action. No sooner has Gameweek 21 finished, Gameweek 22 kicks-off on New Year’s Day.
We have a roundup of what happened on Sunday in Gameweek 21. However, if you missed what happened on Saturday you can find a recap here.
Sunday
Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester City
Manchester City’s amazing 19-game-winning run in the Premier League ended in dramatic fashion. City saw both Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne taken off due to injury during the match, while Palace lost Scott Dann and Jason Puncheon through injury too.
The biggest drama of the game was in stoppage-time. Raheem Sterling was adjudged to have brought down Wilfried Zaha in the penalty area and referee Jon Moss had no hesitation in giving a spot-kick.
Palace’s regular penalty taker Luka Milivojevic stepped-up and saw his penalty kick saved by Citizens goalkeeper Ederson. The result means that Pep Guardiola’s City are still 14 points clear at the top of the table, while the home side are just a point above the relegation zone.
A game that lacked any real quality burst into life in the last ten minutes. Alexis Sanchez saw a free-kick from the edge of the area deflected in off James McLean on 83 minutes for what looked like the winning goal.
However, with just two minutes left on the clock, Arsenal were awarded a penalty kick. Kieran Gibbs cross appeared to hit Calum Chambers on the arm and Mike Dean pointed to the penalty spot. Baggies striker Jay Rodriguez stepped up and made no mistake with the penalty kick.
The draw lifted the Baggies off the bottom of the table, but they are still three points from safety and one of the favourites to suffer relegation this season. Arsenal moved above neighbours Tottenham to fifth-place, three points behind fourth-place Liverpool.
Monday’s action
Gameweek 22 of the Premier League kicks off at 12:30 PM when Brighton host Bournemouth at the AMEX Stadium.
The home side are currently 12th in the Premier League. However, such is the congested nature of the table the Seagulls are just four points clear of the relegation zone. Chris Hughton’s side have been in poor form of late, having won just one of their last ten outings in the top-flight. The visitors did at least stop the rot with a goalless draw at Newcastle last time out.
Bournemouth recorded a 2-1 win over Everton last time, to end an eight-game run without a top-flight victory. The win moved the Cherries out of the drop zone and two points clear of the relegation zone. Eddie Howe’s side’s recent away form has been poor, as they have failed to win any of their last four games on their travels in the top-flight.
In the late kick-off, Everton host Manchester United at Goodison Park, as both sides look to bounce back from disappointing results last time out.
The aforementioned 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth ended an eight-game unbeaten run in all competition for the Toffees. Sam Allardyce’s side have an encouraging recent home record in the top-flight, winning four of their last five home games and drawing the other 0-0 with reigning champions Chelsea.
Manchester United’s Premier League form has dipped of late, as the Red Devils have now drawn their last three league games. Jose Mourinho’s side have now slipped to third in the table, 15 points behind leaders and neighbours Manchester City.
The visitors are unbeaten in their last four away games in the Premier League, recording victories in three of those outings. The Red Devils have also been prolific in front of goal in those four games, scoring two or more in all four outings.
This is unlikely to be an easy game for United, who have won just once on their last four visits to Everton. The home side are likely to play a very cautious style of football, so the visitors could be in for another frustrating 90 minutes.
Other Premier League games:
Burnley v Liverpool
Leicester v Huddersfield
Stoke v Newcastle
Which team will produce the performance of the day on New Year’s Day?
