The perfect statistics that accompanied Jurgen Klopp on Boxing Day remains impeccable: in Burnley he added the sixth victory in the six games that the German coach has coached in the famous day of December 26. And, thus, Liverpool climbed to the top, beating the penultimate team in the table (0-2). From the top he challenges Arsenal to regain the privileged place this Thursday in the derby with West Ham.
Liverpool was left alone at the top of the table because Aston Villa missed a great opportunity to share the lead. Unai Emery’s team, who were hoping for a prestigious victory at half-time on their visit to Manchester United (0-2), slipped out of their hands. But the Old Trafford legend seems indestructible: 45 years (1978) without seeing a defeat for his team, the one who has added the most victories on such an important day.
New era with Ratcliffe
And 2023 was special because it was the first in which a new era began after this weekend it was announced the purchase by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, president of Ineos, of 25% of the shares for 1,250 million euros to the Glazer family. Ratcliffe did not attend the meeting. In a statement, he asked for “time and patience.” to the fans to see the results of the future investment of 236 million to renew the infrastructure of the club.
The fans had time and patience when Erik ten Hag’s erratic team lost 0-2 to Aston Villa at half-time. Two goals in five minutes, both from set pieces, They left United knocked out, once again a victim of their defensive weakness. The first was a long lateral free kick taken by John McGuinn and no one touched it until it landed in the net (m. 22). The second was a blatant marking error in a corner in which The ex-Azulgrana Clément Lenglet was able to easily assist Leander Dendocker to head into the net.
United in the second half was much more aggressive and vertical and broke Villa with quick actions on the wings. Alejandro Garnacho established himself with two goals and the same (the first) was canceled for offside. The criticized Rasmus Hojlund connected with a volley (m. 82) unappealable in a corner and calmed the spirits of the fans.
A hero at Burnley
Liverpool had more problems than the scoreboard and the level of their rival indicated. He scored early with an accurate shot from Darwin Núñez, but he was the only one despite collecting chances due to Burnley’s daring. Klopp’s disciples were determined to make a hero of James Trafford, the young goalkeeper (21 years old) that City transferred last summer. Trafford became the goalkeeper with the most interventions in the championship.
A disallowed goal for Harvey Elliot Due to offside by Mo Salah who interfered in Trafford, he kept Burnley alive, who became encouraged as they saw themselves alive and forgiven and were able to create several dangerous actions. He cherished hope until the 90th minute when Diogo Jota ordered the stands to remain silent with a hard cross shot.
Wood’s Revenge
Newcastle are slowly falling out of the lead and are now seven points away from the Champions League places. The Magpies’ decline was accentuated by their home defeat against Nottingham Forest (1-3), their fourth in the last five Premier League games. Added to the elimination from the League Cup against Chelsea and the one suffered with Milan in the Champions League (1-2) that expelled them from Europe.
Although Alexander Isak, the former Real Sociedad striker, put Newcastle ahead with a penalty, Chris Wood’s packed afternoon shook Saint James’ Park. The New Zealand striker scored all three of Forest’s goals. It so happens that Newcastle had transferred him last summer for 17 million euros. The treble provided Forest’s first win since November 5, which had only one draw and six defeats.
Iraola flies high
Luton is trying to escape from the queue, which obtained a hopeful victory in its visit to Sheffield United, the bottom team (2-3), and from the queue it fled weeks ago Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth, whose gaze is directed towards the European positions. A tremendous reaction with six wins and one draw They have placed him in the middle of the table in the 18th round, in the 9th he was penultimate.
The conclusive 3-0 win over Fulham confirmed his consistency, obtained from a notable scoring ability: 18 goals for and 5 against in the last seven days. Iraola, suspended, watched the game from the stands.
