Steven Gerrard and Juan Mata scored pivotal goals as Liverpool and Manchester United each picked up important wins as a key stretch of games heading into the holiday season kicked off.
Gerrard, the subject of speculation about his Anfield future this week, scored the crucial second goal as Liverpool came from behind to win 3-1 at ten-man Leicester City. That is back to back vistories for Brendan Rodgers’s side in four days, but they are still remain five points off the Champions League spot after Mata’s free kick earned fourth-place United a 2-1 win at home to Stoke.
Mata’s free-kick from wide on the right went straight into the net in the 59th minute at Old Trafford, sending United to within a point of third-place Southampton, who visit Arsenal on Wednesday. But United owe a big debt of gratitude to goalkeeper David De Gea, whose made two world class saves in stoppage time to deny Stoke at least a share of the points.
Elsewhere West Ham United’s terrific run of form continues as they are only a point behind Louis van Gaal’s side in fifth place after coming from behind to win 2-1 at West Bromw. Craig Dawson’s tenth-minute header put the home team in front, but Kevin Nolan equalised 15 minutes later and James Tomkins gave West Ham victory with a header in first-half injury time.
Swansea are up to sixth, two points behind the Hammers, after late goals from Ki Sung-Yueng and Wayne Routledge helped them beat QPR 2-0. Harry Redknapp’s side has yet to take a point from any match away from Loftus Road this season.
Burnley climbed out of the relegation zone following a 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle United, while Christian Benteke scored the only goal as Aston Villa moved five points clear of the bottom three with a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace.
On Wednesday, leaders Chelsea entertain Tottenham Hotspur, while second-place Manchester City travel to Sunderland and third-place Southampton visit Arsenal.
