premier league
Trainer Jürgen Klopp celebrated an important victory with Liverpool FC on Boxing Day. The Reds beat Aston Villa 3-1 (2-0) on Boxing Day and reduced the gap to the Champions League places to five points.
After the long World Cup break, Liverpool only continued their convincing league performances from November in the first half. Villa dominated in the second half and pushed for an equalizer after Olli Watkins’ goal (59th minute). Attacking star Mohamed Salah (5th) and defender Virgil van Dijk (37th) ensured Liverpool’s 2-0 lead. Youngster Stefan Bajcetic (81st), who had just come on as a substitute, marked the 3-1 final score.
The assist to make it 1-0 came from Andrew Robertson, who with 54 assists is now the most assisted defender in league history.
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Boxing Day: Ex-Bochumer Janelt scores for Brentford at the start
In the first game on the traditional Boxing Day, there was a division of points. Brentford FC and favorite Tottenham Hotspur drew 2-2.
Former Bochum player Vitaly Janelt put the hosts ahead in the 15th minute with his second goal of the season. Just before the break, Ivan Toney made it 2-0 but the VAR objected. The striker, who faces a ban for breaching English FA betting rules, followed up in the 54th minute – his 11th goal of the season.
The “Spurs”, who arrived fourth in the table, didn’t give up and reduced the deficit to 1:2 in the 65th minute thanks to Harry Kane’s header. Ex-Bayer Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg ensured the final score with his sixth goal of the season in the 71st minute. It was Kane’s tenth goal on Boxing Day. This made the attacker the sole record scorer in this ranking, ahead of Robbie Fowler (9).
Unlike in other top leagues, the ball also rolls at Christmas in England. The term “Boxing Day” goes back to an old British tradition on December 26th, on which day employees usually received a Christmas box from their employers. The first Boxing Day took place in 1966.
Four games at 4pm – All home teams lose
In the Leicester City game against Newcastle United, two of the teams that were in the best form before the World Cup break met – the “Magpies” series continues thanks to the sixth league victory in a row. Thanks to goals from Chris Wood, Miguel Almirón and ex-Hoffenheimer Joelinton between the 3rd and 32nd minutes, the game was decided early on. Newcastle have now overtaken Manchester City (32), who have played two games less, with 33 points.
The London derby between Crystal Palace and FC Fulham also ended 0:3 from the perspective of the home team. Palace were reduced to nine men in the 34th and 57th minutes – Tyrick Mitchell and James Tomkins were sent off with red and yellow-red respectively. At this point, Fulham led 1-0 thanks to Bobby Reid (31st minute), Tim Ream (71st) and Daniel James (80th) closed the sack.
Southampton fans also had little reason to celebrate after losing 3-1 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion. James Ward-Prowse only managed the consolation goal in the 73rd minute after a missed penalty. It was much closer at Everton’s Goodison Park, but only the visiting fans could celebrate here, too. Full-back Rayan Aït-Nouri ensured the last-minute knockout and the 1-2 final score in favor of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 95th minute.
The Wolves, who were victorious in the basement duel, say goodbye to last place for the time being and move up to a point on Everton. Leader FC Arsenal welcomes city rivals West Ham United in the evening (from 9 p.m. in the TM live ticker).
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