Liverpool stretched their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points as they came from behind to beat Leicester after defeat for Chelsea and further setbacks for both Manchester clubs.
Chelsea failed to keep pace with the league leaders as they were beaten 2-1 at home by Fulham, Manchester City dropped down to seventh after Erling Haaland missed a penalty in a 1-1 draw at home to Everton, while 10-man United were beaten 2-0 at Wolves.
Jordan Ayew gave Leicester an early lead at Anfield, turning neatly to find the bottom corner, but Cody Gakpo brought Liverpool level in first-half stoppage time.
Arne Slot’s league leaders then dominated the second half to ease to victory, with Curtis Jones putting them 2-1 up in the 49th minute before Mohamed Salah added a third late on.
City avoided a 10th defeat in 13 outings in all competitions, but were held by the Toffees after Iliman Ndiaye cancelled out Bernardo Silva’s opener.
Haaland was then unable to send City back to winning ways in the league when his second-half spot-kick was saved by Jordan Pickford.
Jordan Pickford SAVES Erling Haaland's penalty! ❌#MCIEVE pic.twitter.com/CmECkiGGub
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 26, 2024
Things were even worse for City’s neighbours United as their own struggles continued in a 2-0 defeat at Wolves, a match in which Bruno Fernandes saw red.
Fernandes was shown a second yellow card in the 47th minute and just before the hour Matheus Cunha scored directly from a corner, the second consecutive week in which United have conceded in such fashion.
Hwang Hee-Chan then scored deep into stoppage time to add an exclamation to Vitor Pereira’s second win from two games in charge.
Rodrigo Muniz struck in the fifth minute of stoppage time as Fulham snatched a 2-1 victory over Chelsea, their first win at Stamford Bridge in 45 years.
Cole Palmer sent Chelsea ahead just 16 minutes in before a late charge from Fulham saw Marco Silva’s side earn three points when Harry Wilson levelled and Muniz found a late winner.
Chelsea sit second in the table, only one point above Nottingham Forest, who beat Tottenham 1-0 at the City Ground.
Anthony Elanga’s goal was the difference to earn three points, and Spurs’ afternoon soured further when Djed Spence was sent off in stoppage time as Ange Postecoglou’s side were handed their fifth defeat in eight Premier League games.
Newcastle move up to fifth in the table after beating 10-man Aston Villa 3-0.
Anthony Gordon sent the Magpies ahead 80 seconds into the game before the visitors were handed a blow when Jhon Duran was dismissed with a straight red card after making contact with Fabian Schar’s back.
Newcastle took advantage of their extra player as Alexander Isak scored his 12 goal of the season before Joelinton wrapped up a fourth straight win in all competitions.
New Southampton boss Ivan Juric got off to a losing start in his first game in charge after his side were beaten 1-0 by West Ham.
Jarrod Bowen’s close-range strike was enough to secure a second win in four games for the Hammers, who move into 13th.
Elsewhere, Bournemouth extended their unbeaten run to six Premier League games with a goalless draw against Crystal Palace.
