Chelsea stretched their unbeaten run to 11 straight games, edging out Crystal Palace 0-1 in the London derby at Selhurst Park. Liverpool beat Everton by the same margin, courtesy of an injury time goal by Sadio Mane.
Manchester City swept aside Arsenal in a return to winning ways while United, Middlesbrough and Southampton won their games handsomely.
Defending champions Leicester fought back to share the spoils at the Britannia after going two goals down while Spurs beat Burnley 2-1 at the White Hart Lane.
A superb performance notwithstanding, Hull City lost to West Ham, courtesy of a Mark Noble penalty. Sunderland continued their fight to get out of the relegation zone and were certainly aided by the 3 points clinched against Watford.
In this article, we take a look at the best / worst performances - players and moments that proved to be turning points in a game.
#1 Best goal: Jay Rodriguez
Match: AFC Bournemouth vs. Southampton
A series of niggling injuries have hampered Jay Rodriguez’s career at Southampton from really taking off in blistering fashion. While the players’ ability was never in doubt, he had to be on the pitch to deliver, which was rarely the case.
Against the Cherries, though, that was hardly a concern for the Saints. The South coast derby was well and truly won by the forward with a poacher’s finish from a Steven Davis cross.
However, his second left onlookers in awe – a superb turn, following which he latched on to a loose ball just outside the box and sent a scorching curler into the back of the net.
His recent performances, especially the missing clinical finishing had set tongues wagging but Rodriguez silenced detractors with a goal that would have massively upped his confidence levels as well.
More of the same, please!
Honourable mentions: Alvaro Negredo (first goal; vs. Swansea), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (second goal; vs. West Bromwich Albion), Nathan Ake (vs. Southampton), Ryan Bertrand (vs. AFC Bournemouth)
#2 Defensive bedrock: Ragnar Klavan
Match: Everton vs. Liverpool
Liverpool kept a third clean sheet from four away games played, and Estonian Ragnar Klavan played a massive role in clinching the deal for the Reds at Goodison Park.
Tempers simmered throughout Monday night’s Merseyside derby but Klavan, cool as a cucumber, dealt with Romelu Lukaku in simple and effective fashion.
The Belgian was restrained and given no room; on the one occasion he managed to get sight of the net, the Reds centre-back put in a goal-saving tackle.
He also made a host of clearances, was involved in building up play from the back and also covered for James Milner when the latter bombed forward to attack.
The summer arrival from Augsburg was never hustled or harried into making mistakes or lunging into challenges. Deputising for the injured Joel Matip, Klavan played his part to perfection and was a solid, assured presence alongside the immense Dejan Lovren to ensure there were no hiccups for the visitors.
Honourable mentions: Nathan Ake (vs. Southampton), Jordan Pickford (vs. Watford), Marcos Rojo (vs. West Bromwich Albion), César Azpilicueta (vs. Crystal Palace), Seamus Coleman (vs. Liverpool)
#3 Standout player: Alvaro Negredo
Match: Middlesbrough vs. Swansea City
Goals have come sparsely for Aitor Karanka’s men but Alvaro Negredo has been instrumental in turning their fortunes around.
The Spanish striker has been a significant player for Boro with his goals arriving at the perfect time; Saturday was no different.
Negredo scored a stunning goal from a tight angle to give the hosts the lead - sending the keeper the wrong way with his beautiful strike. He scored his second from the spot after Jordi Amat’s foul on Forshaw earned Karanka’s side a penalty.
The Spaniard was a constant threat down the middle, won his aerial battles and pitched in to help out the defence as well. All in all, a man-of-the-match performance!
Honourable mentions: Andrew Robertson (vs. West Ham), Paul Pogba (vs. West Brom), Jay Rodriguez (vs. AFC Bournemouth), Jordan Pickford (vs. Watford)
#4 Best team performance: Manchester United
The Red Devils finally seem to be getting the points along with the performances; if they keep at this, they can surely contend for a spot in the top four, if not challenge for the title.
An imperious defensive display helped Jose Mourinho’s side keep another clean sheet, while a solid performance in midfield and a fluid attacking display would have certainly pleased the Portuguese manager.
Paul Pogba pulled the strings for United while Jesse Lingard combined beautifully with the Swedish behemoth that is Zlatan. The 35-year-old striker’s brace aided United in successfully negotiating a tricky away fixture and convincingly at that.
With three points in the bag against Pulis’ team, United are now in sixth place, just 4 points adrift of Arsenal in fourth place.
Honourable mentions: Leicester City, Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Liverpool
#5 Worst / most ineffective player(s)
(a) Jordi Amat
Match: Middlesbrough vs. Swansea City
After a chastening defeat at the hands of the Baggies during the midweek games, Swansea City’s focus was more on not losing than setting up to win. However, the Welshmen could not keep the Boro attack at bay and their passive play allowed the hosts time and space on the ball.
One of the key players at fault – partially for the first and completely for Boro’s second goal of the day was Jordi Amat.
He failed to cover Negredo’s shot for the first goal despite the angle and it was his clumsy challenge that resulted in a penalty being awarded to Karanka’s men.
Amat’s defending was suspect throughout the game and his inability to seal a partnership in the heart of Swans’ defence is costing them big.
(b) Mesut Ozil
Match: Manchester City vs. Arsenal
Big night, big game, big name. Mesut Ozil.
The silky playmaker-cum-attacker from Germany was expected by many to play a huge part in Arsenal’s visit to the Etihad; suffice to say, he did not meet said expectations.
He was anonymous in the build-up, barely involved in the passing and pressing, and looked exhausted. Whether it is the midweek fixtures or the lack of rest that is taking a toll is not yet clear but if Arsenal are aiming for a decent shot at the title, this man will have to up his game to provide any sort of assistance to the tireless workhorse that is Alexis Sanchez.
Honourable mentions: Ross Barkley (vs. Liverpool), Angelo Ogbonna (vs. Hull City), Divock Origi (vs. Everton), Aaron Cresswell (vs. Hull City)
#6 Unlucky miss(es): Dieumerci Mbokani and Andrew Robertson
Match: West Ham vs. Hull City
This was a game that the Tigers did not deserve to lose, given the solidity of their performance. However, most of all, they were just not fortunate enough on the day.
First Mbokani, and then Robertson struck the inside of the post, with efforts that should have been sure goals. The ball hit the post and swung across the face of goal and then away, leaving Mike Phelan and his side holding their heads in their hands.
Honourable mentions: Giannelli Imbula (vs. Leicester City), Daniel Sturridge (vs. Everton), Marcus Alonso (vs. Crystal Palace)
#7 Controversial decisions
(a) Craig Pawson; Stoke City vs. Leicester City
Pawson officiated in the midweek fixture between Crystal Palace and Manchester United and had a howler; failing to send off Marcos Rojo was the glaring error from the previous game-week.
He followed that up with another controversial showing at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday as Stoke hosted defending champions Leicester.
Jamie Vardy saw red for a challenge on Mame Biram Diouf, deemed dangerous by the referee but one that replays indicated was a harsh call, especially given that Vardy had got the ball. Pawson also ended up booking more than half of the Foxes for the most trivial of fouls while Stoke got away with some.
With Pawson set to be in-charge of the mouth-watering clash at Anfield as Liverpool host Manchester City on New Year’s Eve, fans would be crossing their fingers for a better showing from the official.
(b) Ross Barkley not sent off for challenge on Henderson
Referee Mike Dean had a relatively solid outing during the Merseyside derby; however, it is a mystery as to how Ross Barkley managed to stay on the pitch.
His rash tackle and needless foul on Origi should have earned him a booking but Dean let it pass. However, a studs-up challenge on the Liverpool captain should have been the end of the Everton man for the night but he somehow got away with a yellow.
Honourable mentions: Soft penalty awarded to West Ham (vs. Hull City), Manchester City’s first goal was arguably offside (vs. Arsenal)
