Cody Gakpo struck twice as Premier League leaders Liverpool thrashed Ipswich 4-1 to maintain their six-point lead over Arsenal, who survived Myles Lewis-Skelly’s controversial red card to snatch a 1-0 win at Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday. Troubled champions Manchester City recovered from Abdukodir Khusanov’s debut disaster to move into fourth place with a vital 3-1 win against top four rivals Chelsea. At Anfield, Liverpool cruised to their second successive league victory thanks to a first half goal-spree.

Dominik Szoboszlai‘s 11th-minute opener fizzed past Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton from Ibrahima Konate’s assist.

Mohamed Salah doubled Liverpool’s advantage in the 35th minute with a fierce strike for his 23rd goal in all competitions this term.

It was also the Egypt forward’s 100th Premier League goal at Anfield.

Gakpo killed off Ipswich before half-time when he bundled home after Walton parried Szoboszlai’s shot in the 44th minute.

The Dutch forward netted again in the 66th minute, heading past Walton from Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s cross.

Jacob Greaves’ stoppage-time diving header was little consolation for third-bottom Ipswich.

Liverpool’s 16th win from 22 league games this season keeps them on course for a first English title since 2020.

“I think about how can I make sure these players play in a style I would love them to play. And they have done that from the start. It’s a joy to watch,” Liverpool boss Arne Slot said.

The quadruple-chasing Reds have a game in hand on second-placed Arsenal, who left it late before keeping the pressure on the leaders.

Arsenal had Lewis-Skelly contentiously sent off for tripping Matt Doherty to stop a Wolves counter-attack in the 43rd minute.

Arsenal were furious, protesting that the 18-year-old defender’s tackle was too far from goal to warrant a red card.

But Wolves were also reduced t0 10 men in the 70th minute when Joao Gomes earned a second booking for a foul on Jurrien Timber.

And Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori won it for Arsenal in the 74th minute with a half-volley that went in off the far post.

‘Difficult to accept’

“It’s obvious that it was very difficult to accept. I leave it to you guys because it’s that obvious. You don’t need my words. It was so obvious,” Arteta told reporters of Lewis-Skelly’s dismissal.

At the Etihad Stadium, Uzbekistan defender Khusanov, signed from Lens as part of struggling City’s January overhaul, made a woeful start when his miscued header allowed Noni Madueke to give Chelsea a second minute lead.

But City, who also gave a debut to Egypt forward Omar Marmoush after his move from Eintracht Frankfurt, hit back to equalise with Josko Gvardiol‘s 42nd minute strike.

Erling Haaland chipped out of position Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez to put City ahead in the 68th minute.

Phil Foden sprinted clear to score his sixth goal in his last four league games in the 87th minute as Pep Guardiola’s side climbed one point above sixth-placed Chelsea.

It was a much-needed win for City, who suffered a damaging loss at Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday and must beat Club Brugge next week to have a chance of reaching the Champions League play-off round.

“Not the best start but we recovered emotionally and made a good performance,” Guardiola said.

“Any player can make a mistake. Khusanov’s so young. He will learn. The players were together. That was massively important.”

Dango Ouattara hit a hat-trick as Bournemouth dented Nottingham Forest’s top four charge with a 5-0 demolition at the Vitality Stadium.

Andoni Iraola‘s side are undefeated in their last 11 league games and up to seventh place after ending third-placed Forest’s own impressive run of eight top-flight matches without losing.

Justin Kluivert bagged Bournemouth’s opener and Ouattara completed a memorable treble before Antoine Semenyo sealed the Cherries’ biggest victory this season.

Alexander Isak starred as fifth-placed Newcastle won 3-1 at bottom of the table Southampton.

Jan Bednarek put Southampton ahead but in-form Isak struck twice before Sandro Tonali scored Newcastle’s third.

Everton boss David Moyes celebrated becoming the third manager to reach 700 Premier League games with a 1-0 win at Brighton secured by Iliman Ndiaye’s 42nd minute penalty.

Chelsea overcame a howler from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to beat relegation-threatened Wolves 3-1 on Monday, ending a five-game winless run to climb back into the Premier League’s top four. Enzo Maresca‘s team were just two points behind leaders Liverpool in mid-December, raising hopes of an unlikely title challenge before losing their way. Now they are back on track to qualify for next season’s Champions League after second-half goals from Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke spared Sanchez’s blushes. The Spanish goalkeeper had dropped the ball moments before half-time, allowing Matt Doherty to cancel out Tosin Adarabioyo’s opener.

Maresca said Chelsea had dominated the first 40 minutes before problems that have haunted them in recent weeks returned.

“We lost a little bit of confidence, we conceded a goal and we started to struggle a little bit and then the second half I think we started quite well and then after the second and third goals the game was in control,” he told Sky Sports.

He added: “In the past five games we didn’t win but I said many times that the performance was there. We created many chances, we didn’t score and tonight finally we scored three goals.”

Chelsea’s top-scorer Cole Palmer, a doubt before the game, was fit to start as Maresca made five changes from last week’s draw against Bournemouth including bringing in centre-back Trevoh Chalobah, recalled from his loan spell at Crystal Palace.

The home side dominated possession in the early stages and Palmer had a couple of early efforts, curling one wide and forcing Jose Sa into a diving save.

The home side were rewarded for their dominance midway through the first half when Adarabioyo fired home for his first Premier League goal for the club.

The defender controlled the ball well after it was deflected into his path from Reece James‘s shot from the edge of the box.

A number of Chelsea players were in offside positions in a crowded penalty area and the flag was raised but the on-field decision was overturned after a VAR check.

Sanchez blunder

Wolves, anaemic in attack for most of the first half, came back into the game as half-time approached, scoring with their first shot on target thanks to Sanchez’s error.

The visitors won a corner and the goalkeeper dropped the inswinging delivery from Matheus Cunha under intense pressure when he could have punched clear, with Doherty poking home.

The home side started the second half brightly and were back in front on the hour mark when Cucurella hooked home on the stretch after Madueke’s cross was flicked on by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.

Five minutes later Chelsea had a two-goal cushion when Madueke scored his fourth goal of the season against Wolves, heading home Chalobah’s goal-bound effort.

Sanchez palmed a Cunha shot behind with 10 minutes to go but Chelsea were largely comfortable despite the occasional minor scare and leapfrogged Newcastle and Manchester City, whom they face next.

Former Leicester boss Maresca, in his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge, stubbornly insisted his team were not in the title race even when they were flying high after five straight wins from late November.

Starting with a 0-0 draw at Everton just before Christmas, they took just three points from five games before returning to winning ways on Monday.

Wolves, who have conceded a league-high 51 goals, are outside the relegation zone on goal difference alone after three straight defeats following a bright start for new manager Vitor Pereira.

Matheus Cunha broke a security personnel’s glasses© X (Twitter)

File image of Matheus Cunha.© X (Twitter)

Manchester United’s miserable season suffered another Boxing Day blow as captain Bruno Fernandes was sent-off in a 2-0 defeat at lowly Wolves. Fernandes saw red for the third time this season early in the second half for a second bookable offence. Wolves took full advantage to make it two wins in two games under new boss Vitor Pereira. Matheus Cunha’s goal direct from a corner opened the scoring before he teed up Hwang Hee-chan with virtually the last kick of the game. United, who slipped to 14th, have won just twice in seven Premier League games since Ruben Amorim took charge last month and were insipid in attack even before Fernandes’ dismissal.

Victory was enough to lift Wolves out of the relegation zone at the expense of Leicester, who lost at Liverpool.

The optimism that greeted Amorim‘s early days in charge already seem a distant memory as the Portuguese has been left in no doubt over the scale of the task he faces to turn around a fallen giant.

Amorim reacted to a 3-0 humbling at home to Bournemouth on Sunday by making just two changes.

Leny Yoro came into the defence, while Rasmus Hojlund replaced Joshua Zirkzee up front.

The Dane, though, struggled to make any impact as Cunha showed the value of a forward in form.

Wolves look set to lose their top scorer to suspension over a FA charge for misconduct for a clash with an Ipswich member of staff after a 2-1 defeat earlier this month that cost Gary O’Neil his job.

Only Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer and Alexander Isak have scored more goals in the Premier League this season than the Brazilian international.

United, by contrast, were let down by their talisman.

Fernandes was walking a tightrope from a first-half booking when he recklessly dived in on his Portuguese international team-mate Nelson Semedo two minutes into the second period.

Even the normally argumentative Fernandes had few complaints when referee Tony Harrington brandished a second yellow and a red.

The 30-year-old’s first red card of the campaign against Tottenham was overturned on appeal before he was also dismissed in a 3-3 draw at Porto in the Europa League.

Wolves almost immediately made the man advantage count when Semedo squared for Jorgen Strand Larsen to tap in.

The Norwegian, though, had strayed offside before making contact with the cross.

United’s frailties from set-pieces have been routinely exposed since Amorim succeeded Erik ten Hag.

For the fifth consecutive Premier League game they conceded from either a corner or free-kick in what proved to be the decisive goal.

Cunha’s in-swinging delivery flew in at the far post with United goalkeeper Andre Onana sandwiched between two Wolves players and the Cameroonian’s pleas for a foul fell on deaf ears.

Wolves’ nervousness allowed United to press for an equaliser in the closing stages.

But a Harry Maguire header that floated into the arms of Jose Sa was the closest the 10-man Red Devils came to redemption on another sobering night for Amorim.

Hwang rubbed salt into United wounds deep into stoppage time after he and Cunha were left with just Onana to beat between them.

Manchester United crashed to a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, while Chelsea missed the chance to go top of the Premier League after a 0-0 draw at Everton on Sunday. United boss Ruben Amorim, who once again left Marcus Rashford out of his squad, is set for a miserable Christmas following the worst result of his brief reign. Languishing in 13th place, United have suffered four defeats in nine matches in all competitions since Amorim arrived from Sporting Lisbon in November to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag.

United’s second successive loss after their League Cup exit at Tottenham on Thursday underlined Amorim’s belief that their road back to the top will be long and arduous.

United, who have conceded first in their last six games, were booed off at half-time, while the final whistle was greeted by more jeers from the few fans who stayed until the bitter end.

While it is far too early to pass judge on Amorim, the Portuguese coach cannot afford many more results like this if he is to keep the players and fans on his side.

Amorim’s decision to play without Rashford for the third consecutive game will face fresh scrutiny after United’s wretched performance.

Amorim surprisingly omitted the 27-year-old England forward from the squad for United’s win at Manchester City last weekend, prompting Rashford to hint he was willing to leave the club for a “new challenge”.

Rashford was at Old Trafford wearing a United tracksuit amid his extended exile as Amorim made six changes from the line-up beaten 4-3 by Tottenham in the League Cup quarter-finals.

Again, United were exposed at set-pieces in the 29th minute when Bournemouth’s teenage defender Dean Huijsen punished poor marking at a free-kick to glance a header past Andre Onana.

There was even worse to come for Amorim in the second half as Justin Kluivert doubled fifth-placed Bournemouth’s advantage with a 61st minute penalty following Noussair Mazraoui’s foul on the forward.

Antoine Semenyo compounded United’s misery two minutes later with a cool finish from Dango Ouattara’s pass.

With leaders Liverpool playing at Tottenham in Sunday’s late game, second-placed Chelsea would have gone top, for at least a few hours, if they had won at Everton.

But Enzo Maresca‘s side had to settle for a goalless stalemate that ended their five-match winning run in the league.

Chelsea sit one point behind Liverpool who have two games in hand on the Blues, starting with their trip to Tottenham.

It was an encouraging start to a new era for Everton — four points clear of the relegation zone — under new owners the Friedkin Group, whose purchase brought an end to Farhad Moshiri’s tumultuous tenure.

Everton’s new executive chairman Marc Watts was in attendance at Goodison Park to see Chelsea come closest to winning when Nicolas Jackson’s first-half header hit the post.

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira enjoyed a dream debut as his side won 3-0 at relegation rivals Leicester.

Replacing the sacked Gary O’Neil, former Porto boss Pereira left his role at Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab to fulfil his dream of managing in England.

Goncalo Guedes started the Pereira era with a flourish as he met Nelson Semedo’s cross with an agile finish in the 19th minute.

As if that welcome gift from his fellow Portuguese wasn’t enough, Pereira received another present from a compatriot in the 36th minute when Rodrigo Gomes slid in to notch his first goal for Wolves.

Matheus Cunha’s 44th minute strike from Guedes’ pass ensured third-bottom Wolves would move within two points of fourth-bottom Leicester.

Bottom-of-the-table Southampton held on for a 0-0 draw at Fulham as new manager Ivan Juric watched from the stands.

Juric, axed by Roma in November after just 12 games, was not in charge on Sunday as he awaited a work permit to replace Russell Martin.

Southampton are eight points adrift of safety with only one win from 17 league games.

Wolves have parted company with head coach Gary O’Neil and his backroom staff.© AFP

Diogo Jota rescued Liverpool as the Premier League leaders recovered from Andy Robertson’s early red card to snatch a 2-2 draw with Fulham, while Arsenal’s title challenge was dented by a goalless stalemate against Everton on Saturday. With just four minutes left at Anfield, Arne Slot’s side were in danger of losing for just the second time in 15 top-flight games this season. But Jota grabbed a valuable equaliser as Liverpool extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 19 matches since a loss to Nottingham Forest in September.

With last weekend’s Merseyside derby at Everton postponed by severe weather, Liverpool have now gone two league games without a win following their 3-3 draw at Newcastle.

The Reds sit five points clear of second-placed Chelsea, who can close the gap with a win against Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Liverpool were rocked in the 11th minute as Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira met Antonee Robinson’s cross with an agile volley that deflected in off Robertson.

The Reds suffered another blow when Scotland left-back Robertson was sent off in the 17th minute for a professional foul on Harry Wilson.

But Slot’s men have made a habit of coming from behind this season and Cody Gakpo equalised in the 47th minute with a stooping header from Mohamed Salah‘s cross.

The Dutch forward’s ninth goal in all competitions this season was the prelude to a period of sustained Liverpool pressure.

But Fulham forward Rodrigo Muniz delivered a sucker punch as he bundled over the line from Robinson’s cross in the 76th minute.

That set the stage for a dramatic finale as Jota levelled in the 86th minute with a cool finish past Bernd Leno from the edge of the area.

Arsenal failed to take advantage of Liverpool’s rare stumble as the Gunners were kept at bay on a frustrating afternoon at the Emirates Stadium.

Lack of firepower

The north Londoners have become a force from set-pieces, scoring 23 goals from corners since the start of last season.

But their lack of firepower outside of that route has been questioned this season and once again they were hampered by a failure to turn pressure and possession into goals.

After a second successive league draw, third-placed Arsenal remain six points behind Liverpool, who have a game in hand on last season’s runners-up.

Newcastle handed Ruud van Nistelrooy his first defeat as Leicester boss with a 4-0 rout at St James’ Park.

Former Manchester United striker Nistelrooy had taken four points from his first two games since replacing the sacked Steve Cooper.

But Newcastle ended that encouraging start as Jacob Murphy drilled a clinical finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the area in the 30th minute.

Bruno Guimaraes nodded in Newcastle’s second goal in the 47th minute after Lewis Hall headed Anthony Gordon‘s free-kick toward the Brazilian.

Alexander Isak bagged the Magpies’ third two minutes later with a close-range finish and Murphy struck again on the hour to leave Leicester two points above the relegation zone.

Jack Taylor’s stoppage-time goal gave Ipswich a priceless 2-1 win over relegation rivals Wolves at Molineux.

Kieran McKenna’s team went ahead through Matt Doherty‘s 15th minute own goal after Wolves made a hash of clearing Liam Delap’s cross.

Just as Wolves fans were calling for chairman Jeff Shi and owners Fosun to sell the club, Matheus Cunha grabbed a 72nd minute equaliser as his shot beat Arijanet Muric’s weak attempted save.

But Taylor headed home from a 94th minute corner to seal Ipswich’s second league win since their promotion to the top tier.

Third-bottom Ipswich are just one point adrift of safety, while second-bottom Wolves are three points behind them after an 11th loss in 16 league games piled further pressure on boss Gary O’Neil.

Nottingham Forest host Aston Villa in a battle of top four contenders in Saturday’s late game.

Jarrod Bowen eased the pressure on West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui as his superb strike sealed a vital 2-1 win that pushed Wolves manager Gary O’Neil closer to the sack on Monday. In a showdown dubbed “El Sackico” due to the intense scrutiny surrounding the futures of Lopetegui and O’Neil, it was the Hammers chief who earned some much-needed breathing space thanks to Bowen’s moment of magic. Bowen bagged a priceless winner in the second half at the London Stadium, just moments after Wolves defender Matt Doherty had cancelled out Tomas Soucek’s opener.

West Ham’s first win in three games lifted them nine points clear of the relegation zone, while second bottom Wolves remain four points adrift of safety after their 10th defeat in 15 league matches.

In the aftermath of last week’s 3-1 loss at Leicester, Lopetegui was reported to have survived a board meeting about his position.

But the Spaniard, who replaced David Moyes in the close-season, must build on this valuable victory over the team he managed in the 2022-23 season before he can fully relax.

“I don’t talk about noise, I talk about football. If you ask me about football, I will. A win is always good for me,” Lopetegui said.

“The fans have supported us a lot through the bad times. I’m happy for them.”

O’Neil, who played for West Ham from 2011 to 2013, heard Wolves fans call for his dismissal during their 4-0 thrashing at Everton on Wednesday.

Now he will anxiously await the verdict from the Wolves board on his future, which looks bleak after the latest blow to Wolves’ survival hopes.

“An awful lot of decisions went against us in a big game, big moments. You need some of them to go your way but they didn’t,” O’Neil said.

“I’m not concerned. People above me are supportive, but the supporters want to be successful. I understand I have to take responsibility.”

West Ham were rocked at the weekend by the news that their Jamaica striker Michail Antonio had been in a serious car crash that left him needing surgery on a lower limb fracture.

The 34-year-old had to be cut out of his Ferrari following the accident, with Lopetegui admitting it was a “miracle” he survived.

“It wasn’t an easy week. We dedicate the victory to Michail,” Lopetegui said.

Hammers fans held a minute’s applause for Antonio in the ninth minute to match his shirt number.

Composed Bowen

That emotional moment was in stark contrast to the turgid first half fare produced by two teams wracked with nerves and undermined by a chronic lack of quality in possession.

Wolves should have broken the deadlock when Matheus Cunha’s pin-point pass sent Doherty racing away for a teasing cross that Joao Gomes slashed over from close-range.

It was a costly miss as Soucek put West Ham in front from a 54th minute corner, the unmarked Czech midfielder rising to loop his header over Sam Johnstone from six yards.

O’Neil was fuming again after Wolves were controversially denied a penalty for Emerson‘s push on Goncalo Guedes.

Doherty gave O’Neil hope in the 69th minute when the defender met Rayan Ait-Nouri’s cross with a half-volley that flashed past Lukasz Fabianski from 10 yards.

But Bowen restored West Ham’s lead three minutes later as the England forward danced into the Wolves area before guiding a fine finish into the far corner.

On a night when Antonio was never far from West Ham’s thoughts, Bowen celebrated his crucial winner by holding aloft his team-mate’s shirt.

In a dramatic finale, Wolves had another penalty claim rejected when Konstantinos Mavropanos tripped Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, before Fabianski denied Mario Lemina to leave O’Neil facing the axe.

Fulham players rejoice after their win.© AFP