🔬 The Debrief as Liverpool assert their dominance & Man City win at last | OneFootball

There were six matches to enjoy in another day of busy festive action in the Premier League.

Here's what we made of it all.

What happened? 📝

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Manchester City recorded a much-needed win away at Leicester, with goals from Savinho and Erling Haaland's first strike in five games handing them a 2-0 victory.

Chris Wood was once again on the scoresheet as Nottingham Forest breezed to a 2-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park. Nuno Espírito Santo's men end the day in second place in the table, an event that has not happened since way back in 1994.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace cancelled out Southampton's opener to come away with a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park and an 89th minute equaliser from Dango Ouattara saw Bournemouth snatch a point in a 2-2 draw with Fulham.

Another crazy game for Tottenham saw Wolves grab a late equaliser to earn a 2-2 draw, with Son Heung-min having missed the first penalty that Spurs have been awarded all season.

In the later kick-off, in some style, Liverpool sealed their position at the top of the Premier League table, recording a thumping 5-0 win over West Ham via five different scorers.

Player of the day 🔥

📸 ADRIAN DENNIS - AFP or licensors

It couldn't be anyone other than Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian forward has broken record after record this season, and his latest outing against West Ham was no different.

This was the eighth Premier League game this season in which Salah has registered both a goal and an assist, setting a record which no other player has managed in the history of the competition. And it's only December.

If that wasn't enough, the 32-year-old has now surpassed David Beckham in terms of all-time Premier League assists, moving into tenth place in the list.

The only question hanging over Salah right now is how much longer he will feature in the English top-flight.

Stat of the day 📊

Manchester City returned to winning ways in what was Pep Guardiola's 500th Premier League game for the club.

The victory over Leicester was only Man City's second win in their last 14 matches in all competitions.

What this means 🤔

📸 ADRIAN DENNIS - AFP or licensors

Liverpool sit eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, with Nottingham Forest behind them in second.

Nuno Espírito Santo's side could be overtaken by either or both of Chelsea and Arsenal when they play on Monday and Tuesday respectively, while Manchester City are a whopping 14 points behind the league leaders.

Wolves' valuable point against Spurs saw them put two points between them and the bottom three, with Ipswich, Southampton and Leicester all in the drop spots.

What they said 🗣

📸 Shaun Botterill - 2024 Getty Images

Pep Guardiola couldn't hide his relief after his side's 2-0 win. “We needed it," the tactician told reporters after the match. "All of us. It was not the ideal performance but hopefully the victories will give our mood a better position."

Nottingham Forest's all-time Premier League top goalscorer Chris Wood spoke about his side's ascent to second place in the table. "There's no secret - it is about working hard and doing well as a team," the striker said afterwards. "It was a hard fought victory today, but a nice one. It is about taking your opportunities when it comes and fortunately I was able to do that."

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglu also fielded questions about playing a not fully fit Radu Drăgușin. "We had no choice," the boss confessed. "If Radu doesn't play, I don't know who plays. He wasn't 100%, but he felt he could get through with his ankle and again, I think the players are all giving everything they can at the moment."

What's next? 👀

Monday's schedule contains three Premier League fixtures, as Aston Villa host Brighton, Chelsea travel to Ipswich Town and Manchester United take on Newcastle United at Old Trafford.

📸 ADRIAN DENNIS - AFP or licensors