Tottenham's match against Crystal Palace went ahead despite
widespread reports it would be cancelled, and Antonio Conte will be glad it did
as his side cruised to a 3-0 win over 10-man Crystal Palace thanks to Harry
Kane, Lucas Moura and Son Heung-min.
Arsenal cruised 5-0 away at Norwich, Manchester City
survived a Leicester revival to hang on to a 6-3 win, while Tottenham trounced
1-man Crystal palace in London derby.
That was the summary of the Boxing Day Premier League games,
dampened by COVID-19 crisis, that made the league cancel three matches.
Manchester City had built up within 25 minutes, an
insurmountable 4-0 lead against Leicester at the Etihad on Sunday when they
almost collapsed to a spirited Leicester City fightback.
But they survived to earn a thrilling 6-3 victory, a ninth
Premier League win in a row moving them six points clear the top of the
standings.
With second-placed Liverpool not in action after their clash
with Leeds United was postponed due to COVID-19 cases at the Yorkshire club,
City appeared out of sight midway through the first half at the Etihad Stadium.
The in-form champions raced into a fifth-minute lead through
Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, before a Riyad Mahrez penalty put the hosts
in control nine minutes later
In London, Brazilian Lucas Moura inspired Tottenham Hotspur
to a 3-0 victory over 10 man Crystal Palace.
The victory stretched their unbeaten Premier League run
under new manager Antonio Conte to six games.
Moura created goals for Harry Kane and Son Heung-min and
bagged one for himself as Tottenham comfortably beat a Palace side for whom
manager Patrick Vieira missed the game because of a positive COVID-19 test.
While victory moved Tottenham up to fifth in the table, it
proved a dispiriting day for Palace who faded after a decent start and were
reduced to 10 men in the 37th minute when Wilfried Zaha was stupidly sent off.
By that time Tottenham were well in control after Kane swept
in from Moura’s pass before Moura headed the second.
Arsenal travelled to Carrow Road, Norwich and completely
outclassed Norwich City 5-0 to cement their 4th position on the league table.
The comprehensive victory was the London club’s fourth
Premier League win and five in all competitions.
Bukayo Saka scored once in each half, sandwiched by a fine
Kieran Tierney strike and an Alex Lacazette penalty and Emile Smith Rowe’s
injury-time strike.
Arsenal have now moved within three points of third-placed
Chelsea, who will meet Aston Villa later on Sunday.