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.
Anthony Gordon's goal was his fourth of the season and his first since scoring in the 3-3 home draw with Liverpool on 4 December
Alexander Isak continued his fine goalscoring form as Newcastle defeated 10-man Aston Villa to move fifth in the Premier League table.
The hosts went ahead after only 80 seconds through Anthony Gordon's excellent, curled finish from just inside the penalty area after Joelinton had led a charge forwards following team-mate Sandro Tonali's interception inside his own half.
Villa's chances of getting back in the game suffered a blow in the 32nd minute when striker Jhon Duran was shown a straight red card for violent conduct after a challenge on Fabian Schar.
Referee Anthony Taylor ruled Duran had deliberately stamped on Schar's back after the Newcastle defender had slid in for a challenge, although the 21-year-old Colombia striker, who later kicked a water bottle in frustration, claimed the contact had been accidental.
Villa boss Unai Emery was unhappy with Taylor's decision and frustrated he was not told by video assistant referee (VAR) Graham Scott to review the incident.
"Always I am supporting VAR but you have to use VAR," said Emery. "The referee was the only person in the stadium who couldn't take his time. He has to be intelligent to take time and get the right decision.
"In this case you have to use the VAR. He has to be smart, and calm. It has to be like that. The red card more or less kills the game, it changes it completely."
Isak, 25, scored a hat-trick in Saturday's 4-0 win at Ipswich Town and the Sweden forward added Newcastle's second against Villa early in the second half.
He converted from close range following Jacob Murphy's low cross from the right wing for his 11th Premier League goal of the season and his seventh in six games.
Newcastle sealed a superb victory when Joelinton took advantage of a loose Villa pass from Amadou Onana to curl a 92nd-minute third past Emiliano Martinez.
The Magpies' win took them above Villa and last season's champions Manchester City, while Villa, after a fifth successive away league defeat, slipped to ninth.
Howe praises Gordon after 'absolutely fantastic' goal
Jhon Duran's dismissal was his first red card for Aston Villa
Last season Newcastle played in the Champions League, only to miss out on European football for this campaign. But this victory, their third in a row in the league and fourth successive win in all competitions, raises hopes of a return to continental football for 2025-26.
Since losing 4-2 at Brentford on 7 December, Newcastle have scored 14 goals in four games, with a pair of 4-0 wins over Leicester and Ipswich in the league to add to this Boxing Day success, plus a 3-1 win over Brentford to move into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
"I have to complement the players and how well they are playing, it is a good set of results and performances," said boss Eddie Howe.
"We looked like we could score at any moment, the attacking players have their confidence back, which is great to see, and we look in a great place.
"Alexander Isak has unbelievable quality. He's the right age, has the right athletic profile, I signed him and love him. I wouldn't swap him for anyone."
Against Ipswich, the Magpies scored after only 26 seconds, and Howe's side again got off to a flying start with Tonali and Joelinton playing vital roles before England international Gordon scored his fourth goal of the campaign.
Duran has netted 12 goals this season, including the winner in a memorable 1-0 Champions League victory against Bayern Munich, but will now miss Villa's next three games, all of which are at home - the Premier League matches versus Brighton and Leicester and the FA Cup third-round tie with West Ham.
Newcastle piled on the pressure after Duran's dismissal with Schar being denied by Martinez, who later produced a superb save to deny Tonali.
The hosts thought they had got a second when Isak pulled the ball back and Bruno Guimaraes finished, but Isak had failed to keep the ball in play before passing.
An altercation at half-time saw Newcastle assistant manager Jason Tindall dismissed, while Villa brought on Ollie Watkins in an attempt to rescue the game.
But the England striker saw little of the ball as Newcastle used their man advantage well. After Isak's 59th-minute effort made it 2-0, the Swede then had a goal disallowed, before Jacob Murphy hit the crossbar from eight yards out with the goal unguarded.
Newcastle thought they had got a third late on when Ezri Konsa's clearance bounced in off Guimaraes, although it was ruled out as the ball had hit the Brazilian's elbow.
But the third goal eventually did come in the 92nd minute from Joelinton as the home fans celebrated a fully deserved three points, with Villa having a day to forget.
Emery bemoans VAR after Duran red card
Duran showed his frustration by kicking a water bottle and will now miss Aston Villa's next three matches
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: Eddie Howe
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Unai Emery
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Eddie Howe
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Unai Emery
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Premier League
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Newcastle are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League home games against Aston Villa (W9 D6), since a 3-0 loss in April 2005. They’ve won the last three in a row by an aggregate score of 10-1.
Aston Villa have lost four of their last five Premier League games against Newcastle (W1), including both meetings last season. They last lost three in a row against the Magpies between January 2013 and February 2014.
Newcastle (16) and Aston Villa (15) have lost more Premier League games on Boxing Day than any other sides in the competition’s history.
Newcastle have lost their last three Boxing Day home games, including a 3-1 loss against Nottingham Forest last year. It’s their longest such losing streak in their league history.
Aston Villa have lost on Boxing Day in each of the last three seasons, conceding three goals in each defeat. Only once have they lost on the day in four consecutive league campaigns, doing so between 1932-33 and 1935-36.
After a run of two wins in 11 Premier League games, Newcastle have won both of their last two matches by a 4-0 scoreline (vs Leicester and Ipswich). The Magpies have never won three consecutive league games by 4+ goals before, while the last side to do so in the Premier League were Manchester City in May 2022.
Aston Villa have lost their last four Premier League away games, as many as in their previous 17 on the road (W9 D4). They last lost more consecutively away from home in a single campaign between February and May 2016 (7).
In his last three Premier League games, Jacob Murphy has provided two assists against Brentford, scored two goals against Leicester, and scored and assisted against Ipswich. No Newcastle player has ever been involved in multiple goals in four consecutive Premier League appearances.
Alexander Isak has scored 23 Premier League goals in 2024, with only Erling Haaland (26) and Cole Palmer (25) netting more. The only Newcastle players to score more across a single calendar year in the competition are Alan Shearer (27 in 2002) and Andrew Cole (24 in 1994).
Only Chris Wood (5) has scored more winning goals in the Premier League this season than Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán (4), while the Colombian has the best minutes-per-goal ratio in the competition this term (one every 80 minutes).
