Chelsea’s stuttering end-of-year momentum continued into 2025 as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Crystal Palace in one of five Premier League kick-offs at 3pm on Saturday afternoon.
Cole Palmer gave Enzo Maresca’s side a first-half lead after an assist from Jadon Sancho, but Jean-Philippe Mateta’s 82nd-minute equalizer saw the Blues now winless in four league games.
These points could be crucial for Oliver Glasner’s side, who are six points clear of the relegation zone.
But if Chelsea hope to push back the end of the business firmly in 2024, Manchester City will look to keep the business going for as long as possible.
Pep Guardiola’s side won back-to-back league titles for the first time since October with a comfortable 4-1 win over West Ham at the Etihad.
Vladimir Coufal’s own goal put City in a commanding position as Erling Haaland’s brace and Phil Foden’s strike put the home side in command.
full time | Start 2025 off with a win! 👊
🩵 4-1 ⚒️ #man city | @okx pic.twitter.com/6QLROahKiy
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 4, 2025
Niclas Fullkrug scored one goal for the Hammers but it proved to be little more than a consolation as the pressure mounted on coach Julen Lopetegui.
City have moved to within two points of the top four.
It was another miserable afternoon for bottom-placed Southampton, who lost 5-0 to Brentford at St Mary’s.
Kevin Schade opened the scoring for the Bees. The Saints stayed 1-0 for an hour before Bryan Mbeumo hit a quick-fire double.
From there the floodgates opened and Keane Lewis-Potter and Yoane Wissa added a fourth and fifth in added time to lift Thomas Frank’s side to 10th.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa began showing signs of revival with a 2-1 win over Leicester.
First win of the new year🤝
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 4, 2025
Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey scored for Villa as they recorded a Premier League double against the Foxes for the first time since 2004.
Steffi Mavididi has previously joined Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side, but the Dutchman’s task of keeping Leicester in the Premier League looks increasingly difficult.
The Foxes have now lost five in a row in the league and have lost eight of their last ten games.
David Brooks’ goal was vindicated as Bournemouth beat Everton 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium.
The result left the Cherries in 7th place and the Toffees in 16th.
