With Liverpool away for the Club World Cup, Man City defeated second-placed Leicester City 3-1 to reduce the deficit to 11 points on Sunday evening. After trailing to Jammie Vardy’s 22nd-minute goal, Riyad Mahrez, Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus struck to ensure victory for City. The result means City remain third with 38 points while Leicester are still second, a point above City but 10 behind leaders Liverpool.
Still, on Saturday, Arsenal was held to a goalless draw away to Everton with new head coach-Mikeal Arteta watching in the stands. The draw left Arsenal in 11th position with 23 points, four ahead of 15th-placed Everton.
On Sunday, Man United was subjected to a 5th loss of the season as they lost 2-0 away to bottom-placed Watford with Ibrahima Sarr and Troy Deeney scoring the goals for the home side. United now drops to 8th with 25 points from 18 games.
In the weekend’s biggest fixture, Willian scored a brace as Chelsea beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 away from home on Sunday. The victory ensures Chelsea remains 4th on 32 points while Tottenham drops to 7th with 26 points.
Elsewhere, Burnley defeated Bournemouth 1-0, Southampton were 3-1 winners at Aston Villa, Brighton lost 1-0 at home to Sheffield United, Newcastle United also beat Crystal Palace by the same score-line while Wolves scrapped to a 2-1 win away to Norwich City.
Here are the XI players who stood out according to Shaban Lubega.
GK: Ben Forster (Watford)
Saved all the 8 shots he faced in the 1-0 victory over Man United on Sunday.
RB: Matt Doherty (Wolves)
Was involved in Raul Jimenez’s winner as Wolves beat Norwich City 2-1 on Saturday.
LB: Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)
Was brilliant against Spurs and he was the one brought down for Willian’s penalty in the 2-0 victory.
CB: Calum Chambers (Arsenal)
His finest defensive performance in an Arsenal shirt in a while. Chambers stood firm as Arsenal registered their first clean sheet away from home this season in the 0-0 draw at Everton.
CB: Chris Basham (Sheffield United)
The king-pin in Sheffield’s defence and he was at it against as the Blades Brighton 1-0 away from home.
MF: Etienne Capoue (Watford)
Ran and tackled all day. Capoue was a beast as Watford defeated Man United 2-0 on Sunday.
MF: Kevin de Bryune (Man City)
De Bruyne became the first player to register double figures for assists before Christmas in a single Premier League campaign since Mesut Ozil in 2015-16 (15) as he set up Gabriel Jesus for City’s third in the victory over Leicester City.
MF: Miguel Almiron (Newcastle)
Scored the winner as Newcastle United beat Crystal Palace 1-0 on Saturday.
FW: Riyad Mahrez (Man City)
Mahrez had 10 shots against Leicester, the most by a player in a single Premier League game this season. He was successful with one as he leveled the game after Jammie Vardy’s opener.
FW: Willian (Chelsea)
Scored both Chelsea goals as they beat Spurs 2-0 on Sunday.
FW: Danny Ings (Southampton)
Scored a brace as Southampton defeated Aston Villa 3-1 on Saturday.
