City of Manchester take the top spot in this weekend’s Premier League title chase with another all-out win, this time against struggling Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.
Pep Guardiola’s side scored their 11th goal with no answer in the span of just two games as they galloped to a 4-0 win at St James’ Park, just days after a 7- 0 of them Leeds United at Etihad.
The city is three points away Liverpool, who could only draw 2-2 with Tottenham, and six of Chelsea in third place, meaning the defending champions will sit atop a tree on Christmas Day.
While a three-point gap is hard to come by, the omens do not bode well for the Reds as they look to take advantage of their opponents in the second half of the campaign.
Is it important to be on top of Christmas?
The team that topped the table on December 25 had won the title 53.5% of the time – in 15 of the previous 28 seasons since the Premier League was founded in 1992-93. However, twice in the past three seasons, the top team at Christmas has failed to win the title. Both times it was Liverpool that had to surrender – first overtaking a four-point lead in 2018-19 and then a five-point lead in 2020-21, usurped by City on both occasions in the new year. .
Liverpool have topped the Premier League table on December 25th six times since 1992-93, but have only been able to go on and win the title from there once: back in 2019-20.
There is only one club that has topped the table on Christmas Day more times than the Reds, and that is Manchester United who have dominated the top flights on seven occasions – although the last time United were crowned Christmas was also the last time they won the title (2012-13.)
Man City have twice been crowned at Christmas and have been crowned champions both times (in 2011-12 and 2017-18.)
Incredibly, Chelsea have topped the table on Christmas Day five times and won the title on all five occasions, the most recent of which was in 2016-17 under Antonio Conte.
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Janusz Michallik criticized referee Paul Tierney’s performance in the draw between Tottenham and Liverpool.
Is there hope for Liverpool?
As they look to buck the trend, Liverpool may want to look to seasonal inspiration from the front Mohamed Salah, who has once again achieved extremely rich form for the Reds.
The Egypt The international couldn’t find the net against Spurs but at least he’s had a safe Christmas knowing he’s been essential for Jurgen Klopp’s side so far this year.
24 – Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in 24 Premier League goals this season (15 goals, 9 assists) while only Alan Shearer in 1994-95 (16 goals, 9 assists) has been more goals for his team before Christmas Day in the Premier League season. Phenomena. pic.twitter.com/oMsHsLqQ ONLY
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 19, 2021
Indeed, only one player in the entire history of the Premier League has been directly involved in as many of his side’s goals in the first half of the season: Alan Shearer, the all-time record goal scorer of the league, who catapulted the Blackburn Rovers to the unmissable title with 16 goals and nine assists in 1994-95.
City records continue to fall
Man City can boast a few new and quite impressive records of their own when the man who leads Guardiola is on the move. In the match against Newcastle, Man City was crowned 34th victory in the calendar year 2021, more than any club ever concentrated in the English top flight and surpassed the record held by Liverpool before. it for almost 40 years.
📊 @City man set a new top division record with 3️⃣4️⃣ wins in a calendar year
2021 Man City 34
1982 Liverpool 33
2005 Chelsea 32
2019 Liverpool 31
2009 Man Utd 31
1993 Man Utd 31
1960 Tottenham 31 pic.twitter.com/MWDFggbZDK– Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) December 19, 2021
As if that weren’t omens, Guardiola’s prolific side have now also scored more goals (106) in a calendar year than any other team in Premier League history.
With 17 goals scored in their last five outings, it’s no surprise that City have comfortably passed the 100-goal mark for 2021, in the process surpassing the record set by the Premier League. they set up while topping the Christmas season on their way to winning the 2017-18 championship.
Most #PL goal in a calendar year…
106 – @City man (In 2021)
102 – Man City (2017)
99 – Man City (2018)
95 – Man City (2019) & Man Utd (2000) pic.twitter.com/IaqXqx75bA– Premier League (@premierleague) December 19, 2021
As things settle, City’s lead is relatively slim and the standings could change over the course of the weekend if results go in Liverpool’s direction. However, this is the Premier League, and being at the top of the running order on Christmas Day still has some strong momentum.
When things settle down and with cold winds blowing in their sails, the odds are certainly in Man City’s favor.
