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Boxing Day is one of the biggest days of the Premier League season. The origin of the name dates back to the Victorian era. The wealthy would pack festive food items and clothing in boxes for their homebound servants on the day after Christmas, hence the name 'boxing'.
As for its connection to football, one need not look further than the First World War. The Christmas truce of 1914-15 allowed opposing German and English troops to leave their trenches and go to the barren space between enemy lines. While there isn't conclusive evidence that a match between the two countries took place, there is enough evidence to show that football was played.
Since then the date has held great significance in the English top division, now known as the Premier League. Boxing Day has been one of the most exciting matchdays, as seen in 1963. A total of 66 goals were scored in the ten games played, with just two teams out of 20 failing to find the back of the net.
Boxing Day has produced some of the most exciting games in the Premier League era as well. On that note, here's a look at the five most entertaining Boxing Day games in the Premier League over the years.
#5 Hull City 2-3 Manchester United (2013)
The Boxing Day clash between Hull City and Manchester United turned out to be a memorable game for various reasons. It was notably David Moyes' first and only Boxing Day fixture in charge of Manchester United.
The hosts began with a bang, racing into a surprise 2-0 lead within 15 minutes, thanks to goals from James Chester and David Meyler. However, the Tigers' ecstasy was short-lived, as United scored through Chris Smalling soon after. Wayne Rooney then equalised midway through the first half with a thunderous strike - his 150th Premier League goal for United.
The second half was a cagey affair with neither side able to find an opening. However, Hull's goalscorer - James Chester - became the villain, as he scored an unfortunate own goal. He headed a cross from Antonio Valencia into his own net, handing Moyes' side a win on the night.
You can watch the highlights of that game here:
The game was also significant, as Darren Fletcher made a remarkable return after being sidelined due to ulcerative colitis. United climbed up to seventh in the Premier League table following the win.
#4 Chelsea 4-4 Aston Villa (2007)
Chelsea and Aston Villa played out an engaging and enthralling game from start to finish on Boxing Day in 2007. Chelsea were third in the Premier League going into the game, and needed a win to keep pace with frontrunners Arsenal and Manchester United. Villa, meanwhile, sat in eighth place, and were in contention for a European spot.
Shaun Maloney fired the visitors into a surprise 2-0 lead in the first half with a well-taken brace. Fortunately for the hosts, Andriy Shevchenko scored a penalty deep into first-half stoppage time, and Villa saw Zat Knight sent off. The Ukrainian equalised for Chelsea soon after the second half resumed.
Chelsea took the lead through Alex midway through the second half. However, they were pegged back by Martin Laursen's goal for Villa followed by a red card for Blues defender Ricardo Carvalho.
Michael Ballack looked to have won the game for Chelsea with a late strike, but Ashley Cole had other ideas. The left-back gave away a penalty, and was sent off for his foul. Gareth Barry coolly slotted home to secure a point for the visitors.
See the highlights of that game below:
(Caption: Boxing Day 2007, Chelsea 4-4 Aston Villa. 8 goals, 3 red cards, 2 penalties. Not bad!)
Chelsea lost ground on Arsenal and United following the draw, while Aston Villa picked up pace for the games that followed.
#3 Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea (2020)
Arsenal and Chelsea went into their Premier League Boxing Day clash last year in contrasting situations. Hosts Arsenal were hovering above the relegation zone, and were on a winless run. Meanwhile, Chelsea were climbing to the top, and needed a win to enter the top four.
The game began evenly, with both sides having their moments. Arsenal took the lead through Alexandre Lacazette's contentious penalty just past the half-hour mark. Granit Xhaka doubled the Gunners' lead before half-time with a scrumptious free-kick into the top corner.
Bukayo Saka put the result beyond doubt near the hour-mark to make it 3-0 for Arsenal. Tammy Abraham scored in the 85th minute to deny Bernd Leno a clean sheet. Leno then saved a spot-kick from Jorginho in second-half stoppage time to preserve Arsenal's two-goal lead.
You can watch the highlights of that game below:
The game sparked an overturn in Arsenal's form. Mikel Arteta's decision to introduce Emile Smith Rowe to the team and play Bukayo Saka on the right wing bore fruit.
It is also important to note that Saka, Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli started for Arsenal together for the first time that day. A portend of things to come?
#2 Bournemouth 3-3 West Ham United (2017)
Bournemouth and West Ham United engaged in a roller-coaster clash on Boxing Day during the 2017-18 Premier League season.
James Collins scored an early goal to give the Hammers the lead in the first half. Dan Gosling levelled the game for the hosts with a strike near the half-hour mark to spice up the contest. The Cherries then took the lead through Nathan Ake's strike in the 57th minute.
However, a quickfire brace from Marko Arnautovic saw West Ham lead 3-2 heading into second-half stoppage time. The game looked done and dusted until Callum Wilson came up with a clutch moment for Bournemouth in the 93rd minute.
Wilson bundled the ball into the net following a cross, but his goal was disallowed for offside initially. However, after consulting his assistant, referee Bobby Madley overruled the call and awarded the goal.
Replays later showed Wilson was offside. and may even have handled the ball before scoring. Nevertheless, it was a thriller to be remembered.
#1 Manchester City 5-1 Hull City (2008)
Manchester City's demolition of Hull City will be remembered for two significant reasons - one related to football - the other, not so much.
Surprise package Hull City sat sixth in the Premier League table heading into Boxing Day, just five points off fourth place. Manchester City, meanwhile, languished in 18th place in the standings, just three points off the bottom spot.
City came out all guns blazing against Hull City, rushing into a four-goal lead heading into half-time. Felipe Caicedo and Robinho netted braces to put City in an unassailable position. Craig Fagan scored a consolation goal in the 80th minute to deny City a clean sheet. However, Stephen Ireland rounded off the rout with a goal a few minutes later.
The game marked the first of many such scorelines Manchester City went on to post over the years. It also had an incredible moment - Hull City manager telling his players off publicly, on the pitch, in front of the traveling Tigers' fans!
Brown later said that some major issues needed ironing out, including players' over-indulgence on Christmas Day and unrest in the dressing room.
The moment received mixed reactions from outside the club. Within the club, though, other plans were brewing. Jimmy Bullard recreated Phil Brown's team talk as a celebratory move with his teammates after scoring a goal.
Bullard equalised for Hull City from the spot just before half-time. and ran to celebrate towards the team's fans. He then remembered it was the same end where Brown had delivered an infamous team talk exactly a year ago.
Nevertheless, it was another memorable Premier League moment in a league that has always entertained.
