5 Talking Points from the festive period in the Premier League

While the rest of Europe's prominent leagues took time off during the festive period with a winter break, England alone endured a busy footballing schedule. The hectic festive season saw teams play four times in the space of 13 days.In that period, various shocks and surprises were witnessed. Starting from Jose Mourinho's unlikely defeat against Tottenham Hotspur which helped Manchester City gain ground on them to managers being sacked in the league for the first time this season.We take a look at the five key conclusions from the festive period in England.

#1 Chelsea are no longer invincible

Not long ago, many were expecting Chelsea to repeat the ‘Invincibles’ feat achieved by Arsenal in the 2003/04 season. A defeat to Newcastle early in December ended those discussions. It went even worse for them by the turn of the new year, as the Blues let their lead slip at the top of the table.

The festive period began perfectly for Chelsea. Playing at one of the toughest grounds in England, the Blues beat Stoke 2-0 at the Britannia and followed it up with another 2-0 win against an in-form West Ham side.

Just when everything looked to be going according to plan for the Blues, they faced a minor blip with a draw against Southampton at St. Mary’s. Things went from bad to worse for Chelsea as they suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur on New Years Day. After initially taking the lead in the match, Chelsea conceded four goals in the space of little more than 20 minutes to lose the match 5-3 at White Hart Lane.

This has allowed Manchester City to go level on points as well as goal difference with the Blues. A Mourinho team has always won the league when it has led at the end of the year, but Chelsea's dip in form has given Manchester City hope.

#2 Hurri\'Kane\' keeps Spurs\' top four ambition intact

Kane's impressive display saw Tottenham Hotspur complete a come-from-behind 5-3 victory against their fierce rivals Chelsea. After Diego Costa opened the scoring for the Blues, Kane scored a great solo effort to equalise for Spurs.

Goals from Danny Rose, Andros Townsend and another from Kane put the Spurs 4-1 up in the second half. Although goals from Eden Hazard and John Terry either side of Chadli's fifth goal caused some panic among the White Hart Lane supporters, the end result was nothing but a battering for Chelsea.

This victory now keeps Spurs just two points adrift of fourth-placed Southampton. After having an inconsistent season so far in the league, Tottenham enjoyed a good festive period where they won three games and drew just the one against the Reds Devils.

Hence, at the end of the festive season, Tottenham have taken full advantage of their top four rivals slipping, such as Arsenal and Liverpool, to climb to fifth place in the league table.

#3 Everton the biggest loser during the festive period

Goals from Ahmed Elmohamady and Nikica Jelavic ensured Everton's festive flop continued with a fourth straight defeat at fellow strugglers Hull City. Everton's festive season started with a 3-0 drubbing at St. Marys. Then defeats to Stoke City and Newcastle United meant the Toffees went into the New Year on the back of three consecutive losses.

Everton boss Roberto Martinez hoped for his side to overcome their recent poor run to get their season started against fellow strugglers Hull City. But from the word go, Hull looked like the better team as Gareth Barry was lucky not to concede a penalty when he bundled over Hernandez.

It did not take long though as Elmohamady opened the scoring for Hull in the 33rd minute. Another goal from former Everton player Jelavic ensured the Tofees trailed Hull by two goals in the first half. Alcaraz’s late sending off only rubbed salt into the wounds for Martinez.

After lingering near a Champions League place early in the season, Everton now find themselves a mere four points above the relegation zone, sitting 13th in the league table.

#4 Manchester United need to improve their away form

Manchester United won just one and drew the three remaining matches during the festive period. The only win came at Old Trafford against Newcastle United, but the three draws came away from home. United have won just six away matches in the Premier League throughout 2014.

This season, the team’s away form has been miserable to say the least. United have won just two of their last eleven away matches in all competitions. In that period, the Red Devils have lost four away games including the 5-3 thumping at Leicester and a 4-0 humiliation against MK Dons in the Capital One Cup.

The draw at Stoke on New Year’s day was United's third consecutive away draw following draws at Aston Villa and Spurs. Louis van Gaal expressed his disappointment after the match by saying, “When you want to win the league you have to win away from home, and at the minute we aren't doing that. We aren't losing, but we aren't winning either. If you want to be a champion, you have to win these games.”

Manchester United are currently sitting third in the league, nine points adrift of leaders Chelsea and Manchester City. Now the worry for Van Gaal may not be about catching the leaders but to stick with their current position as a resurgent Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur are breathing heavily down their neck.

#5 Two managers got the sack

Neil Warnock (L) and Alan Irvine were both sacked by their respective clubs

Just when it looked like no manager in the 2014/15 Premier League season would be sacked before the year ended, the hectic festive period cost the jobs of two managers in the space of few days. Neil Warnock became the first manager to be sacked this season on 27 December.

Following Palace’s 3-1 defeat at home to Southampton, Crystal Palace slipped into the relegation zone. It was also their sixth league game without a win. After the club endured a win percentage of less than 20% this season, the board lost patience with the manager and axed Warnock.

A couple of days later, Alan Irvine had to face a similar situation with West Bromwich Albion. With the 2-0 defeat at Stoke on 28 December, West Brom have won just one and lost seven of their last nine Premier League matches.

Also, with the transfer window around the corner, it was understandable for the board to sack a manager just before the New Year began. It will allow the new manager to buy the players of his liking in the transfer window to improve the team’s fortune in the second half of the season.