New Year Premier League fixtures: Full Christmas match schedule with Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool all in action
Notoriously busy period pits two heawyweights against each other as title race generally begins to take shape
THE Christmas period is generally considered the time which separates title contenders and winners.
But there already seems to be no catching Man City, who have opened up an astonishing 15 point lead over Man United.
The Red Devils were on Jose Mourinho's naughty list as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Burnley, who continued their good form on Boxing Day.
There were no such problems for Premier League champs Chelsea, who eased past Brighton 2-0.
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Liverpool were delighted to avoid a repeat of last year's home defeat to Swansea, as they routed the Swans 5-0.
And Huddersfield were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Stoke in their first Premier League Boxing Day fixture.
While Harry Kane had a Christmas to remember, becoming the highest ever Premier League scorer in a calendar year, and 2017's top scorer across the five best European leagues.
His hat-trick helped Spurs make light work of Southampton, picking up a 5-2 win.
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And West Ham played out a topsy-turvy thriller at Bournemouth, with Marko Arnautovic thinking he had won it at the death.
But Callum Wilson (and referee Bobby Madley) had other ideas, with the Cherries striker handling an equaliser into the net from an offside position to make it 3-3.
Madley then chose to overrule his assistant, who had raised his flag, and allow the goal.
The Hammers' previous opponents, Newcastle, ended a horrific run as they ran out 3-2 winners at the London Stadium.
But despite doing their best they were unable to prevent pacesetters Man City running out narrow 1-0 winners at St James's Park
Arsenal secured a 3-2 win in their short trip to Crystal Palace on December 28.
Boxing Day fixtures
Bournemouth 3 West Ham 3
Chelsea 2 Brighton 0
Huddersfield 1 Stoke 1
Liverpool 5 Swansea 0
Manchester United 2 Burnley 2
Tottenham 5 Southampton 2
Watford 2 Leicester 1
West Brom 1 Everton 1
December 27
Newcastle 0 Manchester City 1
December 28
Crystal Palace 2 Arsenal 3
The Gunners now face West Brom on New Year's Eve before taking on Chelsea on January 3 — it was this game last season that forced Antonio Conte into the famous tactical switch to a three-man defence.
On New Year's Day, Everton against United is the standout fixture.
Meanwhile, Liverpool face another match they lost last season as they travel to Burnley, who will relish the challenge of a tough Christmas period.
December 30
Bournemouth 2 Everton 1
Chelsea 5 Stoke 0
Huddersfield 0 Burnley 0
Liverpool 2 Leicester 1
Newcastle 0 Brighton 0
Watford 1 Swansea 2
Manchester United 0 Southampton 0
New Year's Eve
Crystal Palace 0 Man City 0
West Brom vs Arsenal
New Year's Day fixtures
Brighton vs Bournemouth
Burnley vs Liverpool
Everton vs Manchester United
Leicester vs Huddersfield
Stoke vs Newcastle
January 2
Manchester City vs Watford
Swansea vs Tottenham
Southampton vs Crystal Palace
West Ham vs West Brom
January 3
Arsenal vs Chelsea
January 4
Tottenham vs West Ham
Things go from bad to worse for Swansea who host Tottenham on the back of their trip to Anfield.
But under former boss Paul Clement, they did hold out for a 0-0 draw at Wembley.
City welcome Watford to the Etihad for their first match in 2018.
Both Pochettino and Pep Guardiola's men play on January 2.
And Spurs will round off the Christmas period with a rare Thursday night trip to bogey side West Ham on on January 4.
Here are the rest of the Premier League fixtures.