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Despite the coronavirus, and a new lockdown, the United Kingdom continued to play during the end of the year holidays, like every year. While the other leagues stop for a break, the Premier League has delivered us a very big program since Christmas.
Sir Alex Ferguson is said to have once said that the title isn’t won between Christmas and New Years, but it can be lost. By leading the championship at the start of the calendar year, the team can be seen as at least one title challenger. On the other hand, the significant delay taken on this same team can be fatal for the other clubs which hope to win the Premier League at the end of the season. Today, we will take stock of the three days played between Boxing Day (December 26) and January 3, date of the end of the 17e matchday with Liverpool’s game against Southampton. It is important to note that some matches have been canceled because of too many cases of COVID-19 in certain clubs such as Everton-Manchester City, Fulham-Burnley or Fulham-Tottenham. This explains why some clubs only played 15 matches while others 16 or 17.
Four games. Five goals.
Love it, Laca ???? pic.twitter.com/3NfHp8hHA2
– Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 5, 2021
The losers of this not very festive period
To end the year well, the Premier League clubs wanted to be on their 31st and win as many points as possible in their three games during this period. Unfortunately for some, they not only lost matches but missed out on great opportunities to start the year on a high.
It gets complicated for Sheffield
We can first of all mention Sheffield United, dead last in the standings with only two points after 17 games. Without any victory after 17 days, nobody had managed to do worse in the history of the Premier League. Chris Wilder’s men, yet so impressive last season after being promoted, have totally lost track. The tactics no longer work, are too predictable and the defensive strength has evaporated. While the fans remain united behind the coach who gave them one of the best periods in the history of the club, it is difficult to see him finish the season. Not only have the Blades lost their three games (to Everton, Burnley and Crystal Palace), but their direct opponents have taken points. West Bromwich took a point from Liverpool, Fulham (despite both games canceled) took a point from Southampton as first non-relegation player Brighton took two points with draws against Wolverhampton and West Ham. The Seagulls are already 12 points behind Sheffield, who will really have to do better in the second half of the season to stay in the top flight.
Lampard on the spot
Another club that has lost big during this time is Chelsea. Frank Lampard’s men took just one point with the draw against Aston Villa. They were especially outclassed by Arsenal during Boxing Day and against Manchester City last weekend (two 3-1 defeats). You could say that the Citizens, in a big day, were unplayable. But the Gunners, who were going through a very difficult time, were by far the best team on the pitch. Not only are the fans more and more worried about Lampard’s tactical organizations, there is a cruel lack of envy and confidence in this team. Yet very active this summer to try to build the best team in the championship, it seems that the Blues are having a little trouble creating a real sense of collective. Werner looks completely lost, the central defense loses their means with each attack and the midfielder is completely absent. Chelsea no longer scares anyone and is now 9e of the rank. So yes, the table is very tight, as Chelsea are ‘only’ 3 points behind Tottenham, 4, but Manchester United could be 10 points away if they win at Burnley and therefore outrun Chelsea at the top of the table.
The Reds out of breath
The last big loser of the holiday season in the Premier League is Liverpool. Klopp’s club stagnated and lost the lead they had over their pursuers. While they are still leaders in the championship today, they are tied on points with Manchester United, who have one game less against Burnley on January 12. The Reds could therefore arrive three points behind at Anfield on January 17 when they receive MU. After winning the title just a few months ago, with a huge lead over the runner-up, it’s very weird to see the players lacking so much confidence. After the draws against West Bromwich and Newcastle with a level very far from the usual one and even more the defeat Monday night at Southampton, the group cohesion is no longer there. The players are exhausted and the injuries are piling up. While the two Manchesters are coming back very strong this season, Klopp will have to remobilize his men to hope to keep the title this season.
Danny Ings’ opener at 01:51 was the earliest he’s ever scored in the #PL#SOULIV pic.twitter.com/TVNlehaQoG
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 5, 2021
The winners of the festive period
While some sank after Christmas, other clubs took the opportunity to either revive or even move closer to the top of the standings. Vital points in the title race or in Europe have been taken by these teams who can look more calmly at the rest of the season.
The Foxes always so smart
Leicester had a big step to take at the end of 2020, to see if they are really candidates for the Champions League or if they would collapse like at the end of last season. Almost guaranteed to play the C1 before confinement last March by being 3is, Leicester players collapsed after the Restart. We felt them breathless and uninspired, which cost them their place in the Champions League in favor of Chelsea and Manchester United. However, they got off to a good start this season and were in the 2e place, just behind Liverpool. They began by snatching a draw against Manchester United in a game where they were clearly dominated, before saving a point late in the game on the trip to Crystal Palace. Without being glorious in these two games, they were able to show character and still take points. Finally, the away victory against Newcastle allows them to remain third. While rivals Chelsea, Everton, and even Aston Villa all lost over the holidays, the Foxes have been able to hang on and stay at one point behind leaders Liverpool and Manchester United.
The Gunners’ cannon finally fires
Very badly embarked before opening the presents at Christmas, Arsenal knew how to wake up during the holidays. There was talk of wage reduction clauses in the event of relegation in player contracts, the change of coach and a lot of negative around the club. With just 4 points clear of first non-relegation Fulham, it was no surprise. Today it might not be glorious yet, but after three straight wins the Gunners are 11is, 6 points from a European place. Not so bad Arteta. They first offered the most gifts to their fans during Boxing Day with a great victory against rivals Chelsea (3-1), a benchmark performance this season. A small victory over Brighton 1-0 and above all a crushing 4-0 victory at West Bromwich which really impressed. The game offered during these matches looked like Wenger with real good play, including a decisive Lacazette (4 goals in 3 games) and a found team. With Crystal Palace and Newcastle as their next opponents, Arteta’s men can really get their season off to a good start before a very complicated February (match against the two Manchester, Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds and the Europa League).
The return of the blue sky to the Citizens
Pep Guardiola was able to remobilize the troops. Despite numerous absences due to the coronavirus and a new canceled match (against Everton) due to these cases, Manchester City have returned to the title race. A convincing victory against Newcastle first showed the best, with the real team play that has been the dream of so many Tiki Taka fans for several seasons. And above all the victory at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea was particularly impressive. The use of half-spaces, the return of De Bruyne and an exceptional Gündogan allowed the Citizens to win with new-found confidence. They are now tied with Tottenham, 4e, and if they win their two games behind, they would overtake Liverpool at the top of the table. So yes, Everton and Aston Villa will not be easy opponents to beat, but with the overall level Manchester City has displayed over the holidays, we can certainly expect them in the title race this season. By replacing themselves in the standings and especially by showing a completely different face than that of the start of the season, Pep Guardiola’s players have once again instilled a fear among their opponents.
The Théâtre des Rêves is once again bearing its name
Struggling since the start of the season at home, Manchester United have won twice at Old Trafford against Wolverhampton and Aston Villa. They would surely have deserved the victory against Leicester on top of that, but a Tuanzebe goal against his side at the very end of the game lost them two points. However, with the 7 points gained they are now leaders in the Premier League, tied with Liverpool and with one game to catch up. The starting 11 is starting to really take shape, with Pogba as the centerpiece. His performance against Aston Villa in particular earned him a lot of praise in England, far from the usual criticism. Without necessarily being the most impressive team this year, the Red Devils take advantage of the fatigue of their direct competitors to find a small place at the top of the Premier League table. By keeping that solidity and terrible efficiency against, they could really be a contender for the title at the end of the season, which was far from imaginable after the 6-1 loss to Tottenham at the start of the season. They are therefore the big winners of this festive period.
The year starts well. ????⏳ pic.twitter.com/gg3gWC0zIN
– ???????? MUSC FRANCE ???????? (@MUSCFR) January 4, 2021
Bigs like Liverpool and Chelsea have lost a lot of points during this period, which may prove to be fatal to them at the end of the season, as both Manchester clubs have positioned themselves to go to fight for the title which we promises a terribly exciting end to the Premier League season. To be continued !
Results of the 15th Day
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Results of the 16th Day
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Results of the 17th Day
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