What’s Hot and What’s Not from the final Premier League weekend before Christmas

Liverpool kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea by beating Merseyside rivals Everton 1-0 on Monday night.

Jurgen Klopp’s side left it late to record another win over their bitter rivals, with Sadio Mane reacting quickest to follow up Daniel Sturridge’s effort in the fourth minute of injury-time.

It was an important win for the Reds given that Antonio Conte’s Chelsea made it 11 wins on the spin after narrowly getting the better of Crystal Palace on Saturday, with Diego Costa’s 13th goal of the season enough to secure the three points.

On Sunday Liverpool were replaced by Manchester City in second after Pep Guardiola’s side made it back-to-back league wins by overcoming Arsenal, who themselves suffered a second league defeat in six days and slipped to fourth as a result.

Photo: Mark Leech

The Gunners are now under pressure from North London rivals Tottenham, who came from behind to beat Burnley 2-1, and Manchester United, who recorded a third straight win courtesy of a 2-0 success at West Brom.

Southampton ascended to seventh following a 3-1 win over Bournemouth, who themselves remain tenth, while Stoke missed the chance to get back into the top half when they threw away a two-goal lead to draw at home to champions Leicester.

At the bottom, David Moyes’ Sunderland picked up a vital 1-0 victory over Watford, who lost for the fourth consecutive time on the road, while West Ham and Middlesbrough also secured three points from their clashes against Hull and Swansea respectively.

In what was a fascinating weekend of action in England’s top-flight, here is What’s Hot and What’s Not from the final Premier League weekend before Christmas…