The Premier League is never dull folks. And this time around the festive period has surpassed the highest expectations; with thrills, spills, scandals and a bucket-load of goals.
Manchester City head into 2022 top of the pile after a thumping win over Leicester and Chelsea got back to winning ways against Aston Villa. Liverpool had a weekend off after Covid saw their clash with Leeds called off, as the Premier League failed to provide clear enough guidance to clubs and one or two took advantage of the situation.
And when the next round of fixtures is done and dusted the winter transfer window opens when newly minted Newcastle United will try to splash the cash.
Boxing Day Bonanza
Even a depleted fixture list couldn’t stop the Boxing Day fun as a whopping 28 goals, from the six games on offer, lifted the roofs off stadiums the length and breadth of the country. There were nine at the Etihad where Manchester City whacked Leicester 6-3 and it’s no surprise the Premier League 2021 betting odds continue to back a Manchester triumph.
Liverpool had a day off as their fixture with Leeds had been postponed and they look forward to a midweek clash with the Foxes, which we’ll be following closely here at SBOTOP. The return of Romelu Lukaku inspired Chelsea to a much needed win away to Aston Villa. The Blues came from behind to win 3-1, thanks to a Lukaku goal and a brace of penalties from Jorginho which keep them in the title race.
Elsewhere, Arsenal cemented their position in fourth as a brace from Bukayo Saka set the Gunners on the way to a 5-0 drubbing of Norwich, and Harry Kane scored for Spurs in a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace. That victory lifted the Whites to fifth after West Ham lost at home to Southampton in a five goal thriller. Brighton ended their 11 match winless run with a 2- 0 victory over Brentford and, on Monday night, Newcastle entertain Manchester United.
14 available players?
Amidst an increasing number of COVID cases the Premier League tried to offer some clarification last week, and stated that if a club has 13 fit outfield players and a keeper then they must fulfil their fixture. It does appear that clubs with long injury lists have been picking up Covid cases too. Leeds United, Manchester United and Liverpool have seen games called off among a collection of 15 fixtures that have gone by the wayside.
But the 14 player rule doesn’t seem to have had much effect. On Thursday 23rd December, out-of-form Everton’s plea to have their Boxing Game clash with Burnley was declined as Rafa Benitez’ claim that he had only nine fit players was refuted. Maybe he only had nine players he wanted to play; but that’s a different issue. On Friday morning another Toffee picked up a niggle in training so when Rafa made the call again… the game was cancelled; unlucky that!
It was Burnley’s third postponement in three games as Watford and Aston Villa too had failed to muster 14 players together. From a first team squad of 25, an U23 squad of 15 or so, and any number out on loan you’d think these clubs could manage to get 14 together. But if they get one COVID case in the camp then all the unvaccinated players must isolate… so the numbers can quickly rack up; but who’s fault is that?
The window is about to open…
There’s one more round of Premier League 2021 results to complete this week, with games between now and the 30th, and then the January transfer window will swing wide open.
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang could be on his way out of the Emirates after five years at Arsenal. He’s fallen out of favour and Gabriel Martinelli has shown he is ready to step up, while Emile Smith-Rowe is growing into one of the best attacking midfielders in the league. And head coach Mikel Arteta is reported to be tracking Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic as a potential replacement for Auba.
Chelsea and Manchester United are said to be interested in Wolves midfield ace Ruben Neves, while Liverpool are reportedly tracking West Ham’s wide man Jarred Bowen and Napoli’s Fabian Ruiz.
It’ll be interesting to see how Newcastle United progress in the transfer window. The newly richest club on the planet is in serious trouble in the relegation zone and, without serious strengthening, is surely doomed. But who will sell to the Magpies? Certainly they will struggle to buy players from bottom half clubs if their rivals keep their resolve in the face of hugely inflated offers; and upwardly mobile players won’t fancy a year in the Championship.
To put a team of the right characters together, one which can fight successfully for survival will not be easy…but money often talks so it will be a fascinating 31 days.
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