Liverpool continue to move towards a first Premier League title after a stormy round of fixtures stretched across a fortnight, as teams enjoyed a winter break despite Storms Ciara and Dennis battering England.
Sadio Mane struck a late winner against rock-bottom Norwich Norwich after firing in from Jordan Henderson’s long ball to maintain their 22 point lead over second-placed Manchester City.
Storm Ciara saw the Citizens’ encounter against third-bottom West Ham delayed by ten days but it didn’t stop Pep Guardiola’s men winning 2-0, through goals from Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne despite an UEFA ban looming over the club.
Leicester remain third but four points adrift after holding Wolves to a goalless draw at Molineux.
Embed from Getty ImagesChelsea round out the top four but fell to a home defeat against Manchester United, as the Red Devils climbed to seventh through clinical headers from Anthony Martial and Harry Maguire.
Tottenham stay fifth after coming from behind to beat Aston Villa in a five goal thriller at Villa Park, in which Son Heung-min netted a brace whilst Toby Alderweireld scored at both ends for Spurs.
Sheffield United came from behind to defeat Bournemouth as goals from Billy Sharp and John Lundstram overturned Callum Wilson’s opener for the Cherries, leaving the sixth-placed Blades within striking distance of fourth-placed Chelsea.
Embed from Getty ImagesElsewhere, Arsenal ran riot in a dominant second half display to thrash Newcastle 4-0 as Nicholas Pepe assisted in three of their goals whilst scoring their second from a Bukayo Saka cross.
Burnley edged Southampton in a mid-table clash which saw Ashley Westwood’s second minute corner kick get blown into the net, before Danny Ings restored parity 16 minutes later only for Matej Vydra’s second half smash to then nick it for the Clarets.
Everton battered Crystal Palace to win 3-1 and move to within five points of a top four finish, with Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin netting after Christian Benteke had cancelled out Bernard’s volley opener.
Finally, Adrian Mariappa gifted Brighton a point after flicking Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s cross into his own goal, after Abdoulaye Doucoure had smashed the Hornets into an early lead.