Premier League festive period winners and losers
By Jocelyn Taub
Other losers – Chelsea, Stoke, West Ham, Leicester, Crystal Palace and Sunderland
Like Manchester City, it’s hard to refer to Chelsea as losers. The Blues still lead the league and won their 12th and 13th consecutive matches 3-0 over Bournemouth and 4-2 at home to Stoke respectively.
That streak was ended yesterday by Tottenham with Chelsea at the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline. It will be interesting to see if this defeat has any lasting effect on Antonio Conte’s side.
Stoke had a tough schedule which led to losses away to both Liverpool and Chelsea. The Potters did have a bit of cheer over the holidays with a 2-0 home win over Watford at the bet365 Stadium.
West Ham’s season of woe continued. A 4-1 defeat of bottom dwellers Swansea was a great start. The good times didn’t last as the Hammers lost 0-1 at Leicester and then 0-2 at Manchester United. The Hammers remain 13th in the standings.
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Leicester City’s Cinderella story is over. Last season’s champions lost at home on Boxing Day 0-2 to Everton. They next defeated West Ham 1-0 but ended the holidays with a disappointing 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough.
Despite Alan Pardew’s dismissal as manager, Crystal Palace continue to struggle. The Eagles drew 1-1 at Watford on Boxing Day. They then lost 0-2 away to Arsenal and were defeated by bottom side Swansea at home 1-2 to start 2017. Palace sit just one point above the relegation zone.
Sunderland picked up one point over the holidays. The Black Cats lost 1-3 at Old Trafford and were humiliated 1-4 away to Burnley. David Moyes’ side then inexplicably put in an impressive performance to hold off Liverpool in a 2-2 draw at Anfield