Liverpool leads on Boxing Day and Aston Villa fades at Old Trafford

Hard-fought victory for the Reds (0-2) on their visit to Burnley

Manchester United came back against the 'villains' (3-2) in the second half

MADRID, 26 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –

Liverpool won 0-2 on their visit to Burnley and became the provisional leader of the English Premier League, during a 'Boxing Day' that this Tuesday also saw Bournemouth's victory over Fulham (3-0) , Newcastle United's home defeat against Nottingham Forest (1-3) and Manchester United's comeback against Aston Villa (3-2).

This matchday 19 began at St. James' Park, where a penalty scored by Alexander Isak put the hosts ahead in the 23rd minute. However, Chris Wood upset his former team with a goal just before half-time and two other goals midway through the second part. This hat-trick kept Forest out of relegation (17 pts.) and hurt Luton Town (15 pts.), who beat Sheffield United 2-3 and with some luck.

On the other hand, at the Vitality Stadium, the team coached by Andoni Iraola extended its phenomenal streak by clearly beating Fulham. A goal from Justin Kluivert made it 1-0 in the 44th minute, Dominic Solanke converted a penalty in the 62nd minute and Luis Sinisterra sealed Bournemouth's victory in stoppage time; The Cherries now have 25 points.

Then it was Liverpool's turn at Turf Moor, with the lead in contention. And Darwin Núñez made it clear shortly after the duel began, making it 0-1 with a shot close to the post after a combination with Cody Gakpo on the left wing. Harvey Elliott scored in the 55th minute, but his goal was disallowed due to Mohamed Salah's offside in the path of the shot.

Burnley wasted a couple of good chances and the Reds took the victory with Diogo Jota's 0-2 in the 90th minute, scored with a low left foot shot through the rival goalkeeper's legs. This harvest placed Liverpool in first place with 42 points, waiting for what Arsenal does (40 pts.) in their match this Thursday against West Ham.

GARNACHO RESURRECTS THE 'RED DEVILS'

To end Boxing Day, Old Trafford enjoyed its team's comeback. A goal from John McGinn, in a lateral foul that no one touched, and another from Leander Dendoncker, with his spur after a header from Clément Lenglet in a corner, made it 0-2 before half an hour. But everything changed after the break, thanks to Álex Garnacho.

The Argentine born in Madrid scored on a counterattack, later disallowed for offside, and spurred the 'red devils' on. In the 59th minute he finished off a good low pass from Marcus Rashford at point-blank range, making it 1-2, and in the 71st minute he equalized with a left-footed shot inside the area that bounced off an opponent.

With the support of their fans, Manchester United turned the score around definitively with another left-footed shot by Rasmus Hojlund, on a volley, following a poorly defended corner by Aston Villa. This defeat left the 'villains' with 39 points in third position, while Erik ten Hag's pupils broke their very bad dynamic and reached 31.

–RESULTS AND SCHEDULES OF DAY 19 IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE.

-Martes.

Newcastle – Nottingham Forest 1-3.

Bournemouth – Fulham 3-0.

Sheffield United – Luton 2-3.

Burnley – Liverpool 0-2.

Manchester United – Aston Villa 3-2.

-Wednesday, December 27.

Brentford – Wolverhampton 20.30.

Chelsea – Crystal Palace 20.30.

Everton – Manchester City 21.15.

-Thursday 28.

Brighton – Tottenham 20.30.

Arsenal – West Ham 21.15.