Premier League: Arsenal on top of points tally heading into Christmas, Liverpool, Man City get big wins

LONDON: Arsenal continued their reign at the top of the Premier League charts and earned their first-ever Christmas number one position with a win over Everton at Liverpool on Sunday.

Viktor Gyokeres’ first-half penalty conversion in the 27th minute sealed the top spot for the Gunners, and for the first time ever, they lead the Premier League charts heading into Christmas. In 17 matches, they have won 12, drawn three and lost two, with 39 points.

Speaking after his side’s win, manager Mikel Arteta said as quoted by Sky Sports, “It gives me belief and confidence: the level of performance and the consistency of that,” said Arteta.

“It is very difficult to do in this league, so it means the team is consistently there.”

“We enjoy the process of winning. We will have to go to difficult places and have difficult moments. We have dealt with a lot of things already, and we are there,” he concluded.

In other fixtures, a brace from Erling Haaland (5th and 69th minute) and a strike from Tejjani Reinjders (38th minute) helped Manchester City climb upto second spot with a 3-0 win over West Ham United, and now they stand at second spot just three points away from overtaking Arsenal, with 12 wins, a draw and four losses, giving them 37 points.

Liverpool also climbed up to fifth spot in the points table with a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur, with Alexander Isak (56th minute) and Hugo Ekitike (66th minute), putting their side in front in the second half, even though Richarlison’s strike in the 83rd minute threatened to spoil Liverpool’s party. In 17 matches, Liverpool has won nine, drawn two and lost six, getting 29 points in total.

A draw against Newcastle United by 2-2 kept Chelsea at fourth spot, with Reece James (49th minute) and Joan Pedro (66th minute) doing some damage control after Nick Woltemade scored a brace, with strikes in the fourth and 20th minutes. Chelsea and Liverpool share the same number of points. (ANI)