Dec 23,2024
Striker Nicolas Jackson struck the post with a close-range header as Chelsea were denied the chance to go top of the Premier League table after being held to a 0-0 draw by Everton at a blustery Goodison Park.
The conditions made it difficult for both teams, but they each had chances to win the game. Jackson was also thwarted from point-blank range by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as Everton kept a fifth clean sheet in six games.
Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez denied Jack Harrison at the other end with a superb stop, while Iliman Ndiaye's goal-bound shot was blocked by visiting defender Tosin Adarabioyo.
Chelsea remain in second place with 35 points, one behind leaders Liverpool but having now played two games more. Everton climb to 15th with 16 points from 16 games, four clear of the relegation zone.
Wolverhampton Wanderers kicked off the Vitor Pereira era with an impressive 3-0 victory over Leicester City to snap a four-match losing streak and move a step closer to the safety zone.
Pereira, who was appointed Wolves' new manager on Thursday, made several changes to the starting lineup from Gary O'Neil's last game in charge and the visitors played with courage and intent to score all three goals in the first half.
Goncalo Guedes, Rodrigo Gomes and Matheus Cunha capitalised on weak defending and errors from Leicester's defence to score before halftime as boos rang around the King Power Stadium.
Leicester had more of the ball in the second half but Wolves were happy to sit back with a three-goal cushion and sealed three vital points to give their fans some Christmas cheer and move up to 18th, two points behind 17th-placed Leicester.
Bottom-placed Southampton secured a point away from home for only the second time this season as a stout defensive performance saw them hold hosts Fulham to a goalless draw at Craven Cottage.
It was only the sixth point of the campaign for the struggling Saints, but a much improved showing will have given hope to new manager Ivan Juric, who watched from the stands.
Southampton had conceded five goals in their previous Premier League outing last Sunday, thumped at home by Tottenham Hotspur after which manager Russell Martin was fired.
But with a new man waiting in the wings, and taking notes in the stands, there was a vast improvement in their defending as they kept a clean sheet for only the second time this season.
Fulham dominated most aspects of the game but proved unable to forge a breakthrough to the frustration of their fans.
