Could there have been much more drama in football games as the English Premier League welcomed in the New Year?
Red cards, penalties, plenty of goal action, a thrilling comeback and some tetchy managers.
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Middlesbrough 0-0 Leicester City
‘If that was a penalty, I am the pope.’
The quip from Claudio Ranieri, manager of champions Leicester City, following a penalty box collision between Robert Huth and Adama Traore in this goalless draw at Boro.
That was the highlight of a fairly spasmodic opening encounter of 2017 in which both sides could have done with a win but were relieved not to lose.
Everton 3-0 Southampton
The Toffees have reportedly had a £19 million bid for Morgan Schneiderlin turned down but, on this evidence, the Saints are far more in need of strengthening and would welcome the midfielder’s return.
This was proof of two clubs heading in differing directions – granted Southampton regularly have to sell their best players.
The Saints kept Everton out until the final 18 minutes and then deteriorated after Enner Valencia’s first goal for the Merseysiders opened the floodgates.
Manchester City 2-1 Burnley
Like at Boro, it was the post-match comments of a manager which proved as topical as anything on the pitch.
Pep Guardiola was polite but clearly rattled by the 32nd-minute dismissal of Fernandinho – who could have no complaints following a two-footed lunge – and the failure to disallow Burnley’s goal for a supposed foul on goalkeeper Claudio Bravo (he had some justification for that viewpoint).
Ultimately, City’s 10 men triumphed courtesy of substitute Sergio Aguero’s 153rd goal in sky blue, but Guardiola’s unhappiness over decisions he suggested would not be made outside of English football spoke of unease.
Sunderland 2-2 Liverpool
Very few saw this coming 48 hours after their 4-1 hammering at Burnley, but Sunderland finally produced the committed performance David Moyes craved and got their rewards.
Jermain Defoe’s two confidently struck penalties rescued an unlikely point for the Wearsiders and his classy link-up play with on-loan Adnan Januzaj hinted at a survival chance.
For second-placed Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp was frustrated at the congested festive fixture period (it was the same for both sides), but he should be pleased with a run of 13 points from their past 15.
West Brom 3-1 Hull City
If Robert Snodgrass can maintain his form and Mike Phelan can strengthen in the transfer window, Hull can stay up against all the odds.
No sooner had I written this, Phelan was sacked. A decision which seems harsh given he has kept the top flight’s smallest squad – one which comprised only 12 senior players at the start of the season – in touch with their fellow strugglers.
This eighth consecutive away defeat showed why they need a boost, however, as they faded away after a bright start which saw Snodgrass put them in front.
It was a different game in the second period as West Brom completed a second win within 48 hours and a sixth in 10 matches to boost what may become a realistic challenge for a Europa League place.
West Ham 0-2 Manchester United
Once again referee Mike Dean was at the centre of attention as his harsh sending-off of West Ham’s Sofiane Feghouli just 15 minutes in effectively spoiled the contest.
To West Ham’s credit, they showed great spirit and could have avoided defeat but for some fine saves from David de Gea.
In Dean’s only defence, the challenge of Feghouli on Phil Jones looked worse at speed and television evidence should be extended to determine debatable red cards.
Bournemouth 3-3 Arsenal
A thriller to start the New Year and a superb Arsenal comeback – but that is where the plaudits for the Gunners should end.
Arsenal may have fought back from 3-0 down against the 10-man Cherries to earn a point, but this isn’t good enough for a side with title ambitions.
An open attacking game – it was always going to be with the open style of these two sides – but their old weaknesses and mental fragilities remain. It is why Arsene Wenger will not win another title.
Crystal Palace 1-2 Swansea City
Would you Adam n’ Eve it!
This made a mockery of my betting tip and showed how hard work and perseverance can pay dividends.
Yes, the arrival of new manager Paul Clement, announced earlier in the day, lifted spirits but surely nothing would spoil Sam Allardyce’s first home match in charge.
How wrong I was as the wonderfully named Angel Rangel (it tickled my 11-year-old son) decided to leave a usually leaky defence, go on a venture from right-back and finish like a centre forward to move the Swans off the bottom and within a point of Palace.
Rangel should have conceded a penalty moments earlier, but perhaps their luck has turned. Clement, ably assisted by Alan Curtis who picked the team for this one, will certainly bring organisation and purpose to Swansea.
Stoke City 2-0 Watford
After conceding eight goals at Anfield and Stamford Bridge, a more low-key affair was just what Stoke needed.
And they got it as goals from Ryan Shawcross and Peter Crouch either side of the break completed a league double over the Hornets.
It’s been a largely miserable festive period for Watford who need an upsurge in form quickly.
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