Five Things Learned From The Boxing Day Premier League Action
The traditional Boxing Day festive programme normally sees plenty of action with every top-flight team in action on the same day, an increasingly rare occurrence these days. And this year was no exception. We saw the pressure intensify on the most successful club in Premier League history, and the surprise leaders suffer just a second defeat of a superb campaign so far.
With this in mind, here are five things learned from the Boxing Day action in the Premier League.
IS IT THE END OF THE ROAD FOR LVG?
Another defeat for Manchester United today at Stoke City today surely spells doom for Louis van Gaal. It’s a third straight defeat for the Red Devils, and the fans’ patience is wearing thin. With Jose Mourinho available after his Chelsea sacking, eager for a quick return, and rumoured to be already planning how he can turn the Old Trafford ship around, another defeat against, ironically, Chelsea will surely spell the end of the Dutchman’s reign.
DIEGO SEEMED INTERESTED AGAIN – BUT FOR HOW LONG?
It is hardly a secret that Diego Costa and Jose Mourinho have not exactly seen eye-to-eye much this season, case in point being the bib-throwing incident at Tottenham a few weeks ago. But the dismissal of the Portuguese boss, while not exactly popular with Chelsea fans, has seemed to reinvigorate Costa once again, at least for today, with his double against Watford. He won’t feature against Manchester united due to suspension.
CHRISTIAN BENTEKE MUST STEP UP IN STURRIDGE’S ABSENCE
Daniel Sturridge being out for a while is obviously a blow for Liverpool, it showed in their loss to Watford earlier this month. The likes of Divock Origi and, especially, Christian Benteke, must start showing they can lead the line in the England striker’s absence. The Belgian finding the net today against leaders Leicester, from the bench, is a good start. Even so, Sturridge may not be out all that long, as he tweeted today that “I’m back training and good to go!!”
ASTON VILLA CAN TAKE HEART FROM TODAY – BUT DRAWS WILL NOT BE ENOUGH TO SAVE THEM
An absolutely wretched season so far for Villa, who remain without a win since the opening day of the season, against Bournemouth. If there is one thing certain about the Premier League, it’s that the team who is bottom at Christmas normally goes down. Leicester are the exception to this rule, but Villa are certainly no Leicester. That being said, a point against a West Ham side that has won at Arsenal and Manchester City this term is a step in the right direction.
WATCH OUT FOR WATFORD
Everyone has been talking about Leicester this season, and mainly the form of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez. But Watford have been quietly going about their business, and have a dynamic duo of their own in Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo. They are sitting comfortably in seventh place, so do not take these Hornets lightly, or you will get stung, as Chelsea did today.
By Steve Osborne @BlizzardSteve75