Image source, Getty ImagesThat's it for us on what has been a long, long, LONG but epic day of Premier League action.
We'll be back again tomorrow with two games:
Brighton v Brentford (19:30)
Arsenal v Ipswich (20:15)
Goodbye!
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
John Arne Riise
Former Liverpool defender on Amazon Prime
The only team at the moment who looks on a steady course is Liverpool.
It takes one or two games and you lose your confidence.
Football changes so quickly.
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Liverpool manager Arne Slot, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “Quite happy in general. During the whole game we played the way we wanted.
The only thing we didn’t want was to go down one nil after 10 minutes. First time they threatened it was immediately a goal. Sloppy defending. That’s why it was a hard game until we scored the third one.
On the importance of levelling before the break: "It definitely was. During the first 45 minutes we were many times around their box and created enough to score a goal but if you don’t do it, you don’t know what the end result will be. That immediately lifted us.
“The first and third goals were quite similar and these players have the quality to dominate these situations and have a great finish as well. I liked the second as well, more of a team goal and Curtis Jones arriving in the box doing something that in my opinion he has to do a lot more. As a midfielder at Liverpool you have to score goals and that is what he did today.”
On topping the league table: “Of course we look at the table but we also know how hard this league is. Two months ago we were one point behind Manchester City. What this league can do if you get injuries and suspensions...This can happen to any team. We have to stay on top of our game.
On festive fixtures: "It does not feel like it is Christmas at all. Normally you go on holiday but I think there will be many people in Holland watching it and liking it like I did before."
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Leicester goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk, speaking to BBC Match of the Day after making his Premier League bow: "It was a dream come true. Something you always work for and you imagine this moment. For it to finally happen is such a proud moment for me and my family. To do it also at Anfield, I am nothing but proud.
"I was told this morning and a bit of excitement but I felt ready and just wanted to show what I could do.
"Conor is a great character and a very good leader. He always talks to you and gives you courage. I was pleased to make my debut with someone like him it made it easier."
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, speaking to Amazon Prime: "We know when you come here you want the start that we wanted.
"We knew we had to be compact and defend well. Which we did and we had a couple of breaks. We were in the game for a long time and at 2-1 we had the Daka chance - these are moments.
"In these games you have got to take them.
"When you are 1-0 up and we had a break with Stephy Mavididi on the break which led to a goal kick.
"A quick take from Allison and they combined into Gakpo. Him coming onto his right foot can be dangerous."
On Jakub Stolarczyk debut: "Well done for Jakub coming in. He come back from a long injury, he recently played in the under-21s and he had a great game."
On three defeats in a row: "It is up to us to keep developing and creating gameplans for every opponent.
"The gameplan was there, players knew what to do and acted too it, but today was the maximum possible.
"Anfield is not the place where we usually collect the points, but for our development we have to do it as the points need to be collected."
On January window: "It is a great possibility to look at. It's a tool to look at as a club.
"It's a good option."
On Liverpool being title favourites: "You never know in the Premier League and many things have happened before, but looking at this team and how stable they are and the depth of their squad they have a great chance."
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Emile Heskey
Former Leicester and Liverpool striker on Amazon Prime
On Leicester's mentality after scoring first....
As a mentality you kind of sit back and invite the team on hoping you can get to half-time, but it never happened.
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Image source, Getty ImagesLeicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “Definitely [some positives]. Good performance. We knew coming to Anfield against this Liverpool, the game plan had to be right, had to be clear and the players executed it excellently. We had a great start, go one nil up it was a shame we could not get into half time with the lead.
“And straight after as well conceding the second but we stayed in the game. We knew we would create something which came with the Patson Daka chance on the break but you have to take these chances if you want something out of the game but all credit to the players and our goalkeeper who had an excellent game.
“He made an excellent debut and helped us stay in the game that long. I had a very good conversation with Wardy and it is not easy what happened and if the disappointment goes to one person it gets difficult.
“We had to look at Jamie (Vardy). He played through injuries and knocks and it was the best thing today to let him recover and see if we can get him fit for Sunday.
On getting out of relegation trouble: “We believe we can but it will take a lot of hard work, improvement, training, staying together and performing and collecting points. The foundation is the work ethic of the team and spirit and we showed that over the last weeks and I think at the end of the road we can be where we want to be.”
#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
Fergie always used to say, 'If you can get to the New Year and are top, then you've got a great chance of winning it'. Who would want to disagree with him?
Rolay, Keighley
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Liverpool boss Arne Slot, speaking to Amazon Prime: "Sounds weird, but we had a really good start.
"But then one moment where we underestimated the situation that led to a chance and a goal. You have to work really hard to come back into the game, it really helped that we scored the equaliser before half-time.
"In the last few games every chance we concede they go in.
"I think there was a second chance in the second half and those were the only times they even come close. We created enough, but because we went 1-0 down it was a game.
"Then you saw how good we are and they didn't want to come back into the game.
"I liked the second goal, for me that was a team goal with the overlapping run.
"We want to bring our wingers into threatening situations.
"Deep runs are the most important thing in football. You would not always have to play the player who makes the deep run."
On being favourites for the title: "Bit of a boring answer and as a manager you go game by game - you know how many games you have to play.
"So many teams have so much quality. If this happened in the Eredivisie I would say OK that is true."
On Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mo Salah and Virgil Van Dijk contract extensions: "We don't talk about contracts in public.
"It is not up to me to talk about those situations in public. Mo Salah had a good game, Virgil had a good game, Trent, especially in the second half was very good."
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager on Amazon Prime
Image source, Getty ImagesOn Liverpool's strength in depth...
When you look at the players who come on they're the same level as the players who started.
They're a very strong squad and it's a healthy competition with a very strong spirit.
#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
I keep seeing comments about Liverpool being where they are as they’ve not had injuries. We’ve had multiple injuries. The best goalkeeper in the world has been out, arguably one of the best defenders in Konate is still injured, as has one of the most clinical finishers in Jota. Speaking of clinical, quality performance from Liverpool this evening.
Sam, Bath.
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager on Amazon Prime
In general I don't think theres another team in Europe playing with this confidence.
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “We have still got a long, long way to go. There are plenty of games to come. We’ll take each game as it comes and try and win all the games.
“It was a hard game. They sat back and defended well. Especially for me it was hard to find space inside. It was more of a patient game and not trying to play into their plan. In the first half we were crossing the ball a load and that is what they want. In the second half we changed it round, kept it more and that’s where the goals came.
“We are a goal down it’s almost half-time but we don’t stop, we score. In the second half we start strong and score again. The thing is with us we just want to win each game."
On 100 Premier League appearances: "I came in then and normally text family and I saw a text off [Jurgen] Klopp saying 'congratulations on 100 games and here’s to 500. I was like what is he on about?' I just checked then and I am proud. It was him who set up the team we have now. The foundation was there and Arnie Slot has carried it on.
“It looks good but there are plenty of games to come. You can play a team at the bottom, middle or top and it is a hard game. It is about trying to win every single game and if we do that everybody knows what comes at the end.”
#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
I can’t see Liverpool being stopped at the moment. Look like such a well gelled side.
Dylan, Scottish Borders
The key is for LFC is that they have so much strength in depth. Diaz not even on pitch tonight.
Dylan, Berwick upon Tweed
Liverpool seem to have the attitude of 70s Brazil. Yes, you can score if you want, we'll just go up a gear and score more than you.
Dave, Formby
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Roberto Martinez
Portugal manager on Amazon Prime
On Cody Gakpo...
The fans enjoyed a player who feels important and knows he can change the game with a bit of magic.
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool's Cody Gakpo, speaking to Amazon Prime: "We do practice a lot on the crosses and the shots. Practice makes perfect.
"We come from behind and we had to fight to get level, we had good chances and I got the ball from Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] and I saw some free space and did what I do in training."
On going behind: "We know the qualities we have, but it's not nice to go behind.
"We are working on that so we are not sloppy in the beginning. We started the game very good, but then had two moments where we were sloppy - we have to keep improving."
On feeling at home: "Obviously I feel at home. We have a very good team which makes me accelerate as well and it let's me show my qualities. I keep working hard to show more of that every game."
On Arne Slot's style: "Especially when we have the ball it is a bit more structured. A little less direct and we play more from possession.
"We only think about the next game.
"We cannot deny we are in a good place, but still one of the strengths of the team is we approach each game as a new one.
"That keeps us humble."
#bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)
I think I will cry if Liverpool don't get Salah to sign a new contract.
Andy
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, speaking to Amazon Prime: "It is a good result they were very tough in the first half and in the second half the way they prepared themselves they were very good.
"We managed to score three goals and it was a great result.
On Cody Gakpo's equaliser: "Great. It gives us confidence in the second half to go win the game. 1-0 down and you need to focus on equalising.
"He scored a great goal.
"It is something he practices a lot in training. It was a great finish from him."
On scoring 100 home goals in the Premier League: "Something I am very proud of. We keep working hard and hopefully I can go a bit further."
On his form: "The most important thing is the team winning - hopefully we win the Premier League.
"It is great, but we focus on each game and hopefully we carry on like that.
"It feels different, but the most important thing is we need to stay humble.
"This one is very special, hopefully we win the Premier League and for this club it is something I dream of."
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Image source, Getty ImagesMohamed Salah has been involved in 27 goals in 17 Premier League games this season (16 goals, 11 assists), just one fewer than he was in 32 appearances last term (18 goals, 10 assists).
His goal to make it 3-1 was his 100th home goal in the Premier League, making him the eighth player to reach this milestone.
Making his 250th Premier League start for Liverpool, Salah became the fourth player to register 250 Premier League goal involvements for a single side (171 goals, 79 assists), along with Wayne Rooney for Man Utd (276), Ryan Giggs for Man Utd (271) and Harry Kane for Tottenham (259).
FT: Liverpool 3-1 Leicester
Leicester had four shots in the opening 10 minutes of this game (scoring with their only shot on target), but didn’t manage a single attempt for the rest of the match.
Bournemouth have won four of their past six Premier League games
Bournemouth extended their Premier League unbeaten run to six matches but could only manage a draw at home against Crystal Palace.
The Cherries, with a push for Europe on their minds after a 3-0 win at Manchester United last time out, had the bulk of the promising chances but lacked an assured finishing touch.
Andoni Iraola's hosts nearly found a way to open the scoring in the first half but Ismaila Sarr cleared the ball off the line after Antoine Semenyo hooked towards goal from a corner.
Palace thought they had punished Bournemouth for failing to take that chance when Sarr ran through the defence and put the ball past Kepa Arrizabalaga soon after, but the Senegal international was offside when he was slipped in.
Neither side could build sustained periods of possession, but an open midfield led to an entertaining game as both attacked in numbers and pressed energetically in defence.
It was end to end as the teams continued to rack up the goal attempts - with Bournemouth looking likelier to break the deadlock - but despite best efforts it ended in Boxing Day stalemate.
Bournemouth missing final touch - Iraola
This was a tiring afternoon for Bournemouth, who had 18 goal attempts but only hit the target with four.
Iraola's side were relentless in their pursuit of a goal and ramped up the pressure as the game went on, throwing numbers forward in an attempt to overwhelm the visitors. They registered 1.19 expected goals (xG) but could not put the ball away.
Full-back Milos Kerkez was instrumental in their attacking efforts and consistently looked to make positive moves, charging up the left flank with the ball at his feet to spark dangerous transitions.
They were far from one-dimensional on the front foot, though, with Justin Kluivert linking up play, Dango Ouattara causing trouble with his neat footwork and Semenyo regularly looking to take on Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Semenyo toiled in the final third throughout, slicing wide from the edge of the box and sending a powerful header to the side of Henderson's goal as he missed two excellent late opportunities.
Introducing Evanilson and Tyler Adams in the second half resulted in the momentum staying firmly in the Cherries' favour.
Brazilian Evanilson proved much tougher for the Palace defence to handle than the man he replaced, Enes Unal, but Bournemouth's efforts were fruitless despite them controlling the closing stages.
They sit sixth for now in the table, a point ahead of out-of-sorts champions Manchester City, with Palace remaining uncomfortably close to the relegation zone.
Glasner 'pleased' with 'good point' at Bournemouth
Palace came into this game off two painful defeats by Arsenal that put paid to a five-game unbeaten run, so a point on the south coast was a welcome outcome as they held back a dangerous Bournemouth side.
Having Eberechi Eze back from injury is a significant boost for the Eagles, with his tricky runs down the wings sparking many of their attempts to tip the balance.
Despite an early flurry of opportunities, it still rarely seemed like Palace could go on to take all three points.
They faced a Bournemouth onslaught that increased in intensity, and frequent misplaced passes from Oliver Glasner's side opened up opportunities for the Cherries to attack.
Ultimately, with a helping hand from the Cherries lacking the clinical edge they displayed on Sunday at Old Trafford, Palace managed to grind out some reward from a tiring game.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 40 | 17 | 23 | 42 |
| |
| 2 | 18 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 38 | 21 | 17 | 35 |
| |
| 3 | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 24 | 19 | 5 | 34 |
| |
| 4 | 17 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 34 | 16 | 18 | 33 |
| |
| 5 | 18 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 30 | 21 | 9 | 29 |
| |
| 6 | 18 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 27 | 21 | 6 | 29 |
| |
| 7 | 18 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 30 | 26 | 4 | 28 |
| |
| 8 | 18 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 26 | 23 | 3 | 28 |
| |
| 9 | 18 | 8 | 4 | 6 | 26 | 29 | -3 | 28 |
| |
| 10 | 17 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 27 | 26 | 1 | 25 |
| |
| 11 | 18 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 39 | 26 | 13 | 23 |
| |
| 12 | 17 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 32 | 32 | 0 | 23 |
| |
| 13 | 18 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 23 | 30 | -7 | 23 |
| |
| 14 | 18 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 21 | 24 | -3 | 22 |
| |
| 15 | 17 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 15 | 22 | -7 | 17 |
| |
| 16 | 18 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 18 | 26 | -8 | 17 |
| |
| 17 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 29 | 40 | -11 | 15 |
| |
| 18 | 18 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 22 | 40 | -18 | 14 |
| |
| 19 | 17 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 16 | 32 | -16 | 12 |
| |
| 20 | 18 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 11 | 37 | -26 | 6 |
|
Manager: Andoni Iraola
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Oliver Glasner
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Manager: Andoni Iraola
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Oliver Glasner
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Premier League
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All competitions
All competitions
Having lost five consecutive Premier League games against Crystal Palace between 2019 and 2023, Bournemouth won both meetings with the Eagles last season without conceding.
Crystal Palace have kept four clean sheets in their seven Premier League away games against Bournemouth – against no side have they recorded more on the road in the competition.
Bournemouth haven’t lost a home game on Boxing Day since 2003 (0-2 vs Plymouth in the third tier), winning five and drawing three since. They beat Fulham 3-0 at the Vitality Stadium last season.
Crystal Palace have lost their last three Boxing Day matches, all by a 3-0 scoreline. The Eagles haven’t lost four consecutive Boxing Day games since doing so between 1950 and 1953 in the Third Division South.
Bournemouth have won four of their last five Premier League games (D1), as many as they had in their previous 15. This is the latest into a season the Cherries are playing a top-flight match while starting the day in the top five of the table.
Crystal Palace have won their last two Premier League away games, as many as they had in their previous 19 (D8 L9). The Eagles last won three in a row on the road in April/May 2019.
Bournemouth are underperforming compared to their xG more than any other Premier League side this season (-7.6), netting 27 times from an expected goals total of 34.6.
Crystal Palace rank joint-8th for most shots in the Premier League this season (240), but 17th for total goals scored (18). Indeed, only bottom side Southampton (7.1%) have a lower shot conversion rate than the Eagles this term (7.5%).
Of all players to have attempted 50 dribbles in the Premier League this season, only Jérémy Doku (58.6%) has a higher success rate than Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo (56.9% - 37/65).
Crystal Palace’s Ismaïla Sarr has been involved in six goals in his last six Premier League games (4 goals, 2 assists), as many as in his previous 32 appearances in the competition (4 goals, 2 assists).
