England

Newcastle United held Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at St. James’ Park on Wednesday thanks largely to the play of goalkeeper Karl Darlow, who recorded four saves in his third clean sheet of the season. 

The 30-year-old Englishman has started all of Newcastle’s 15 Premier League matches with usual No. 1 Martin Dúbravka recovering from an ankle injury, but Darlow has been the Toons’ early player of the season with only West Brom’s Sam Johnstone recording more saves in England’s top flight. 

I wasn't in the West Brom changing room before the club's match against Leeds, but I can imagine that Sam Allardyce's pre-game speech went something like this:

"OK lads, we were remarkably good on defense against Liverpool on the weekend. That was one of the best attacks in Europe, and we held them to one goal. That was just brilliant lads.

Everton is seeking "full disclosure" regarding the COVID-19 outbreak at Manchester City, which resulted in their Premier League game being postponed on Monday.

Just hours before the game was due to kick off at Goodison Park, City said they had returned a number of positive tests in addition to the four on Dec. 25 that included striker Gabriel Jesus and defender Kyle Walker.

Given the fact that Christian Pulisic had already missed time this year because of a calf strain, major hamstring tear and subsequent hamstring complaint, it was surprising to see the American in Chelsea’s starting lineup on Monday after going the full 90 against Arsenal on Saturday, but it affirmed the fact that Frank Lampard saw the American as a lone bright spot in that 3-1 defeat.  

Watford left back Adam Masina has played just 33 minutes so far this season due to injury, but should the club gain promotion at the end of the campaign, Hornets fans will look back on his heroic tackle during a tense Boxing Day match as the defining play of their season.

The Championship club found in the northwest outskirts of London entered Saturday's fixture against league leaders Norwich in a comfortable fifth place, just four points off an automatic promotion spot.

Everton's Premier League match at home to Manchester City on Monday has been called off due to new COVID-19 cases reported at City, the league said in a statement.

City returned a number of positive cases for COVID-19 after confirming four positives last week, including striker Gabriel Jesus and defender Kyle Walker. The Premier League board agreed to rearrange the game as a precaution after City lodged a request following the latest round of testing.

A tale of two halves at Anfield on Sunday — one in which Liverpool controlled 81% possession; one in which West Brom landed more shots on target — ended in a 1-1 draw between the sides of a clearly frustrated (and booked) Jürgen Klopp and a triumphant Sam Allardyce. 

West Brom made the first managerial change of the Premier League season on Dec. 16 when sacking Slaven Bilić in favor of Big Sam, and the Baggies are now the first team to take points off Liverpool at Anfield — although the club remains five points from safety after 15 matches.    

Ben Johnson and Tomas Soucek scored second-half goals as West Ham United twice came back from a goal down to earn a 2-2 draw at home to Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League on Sunday.

Brighton created the early chances at London Stadium and deservedly took the lead just before halftime when striker Neal Maupay pounced on a loose ball in the box to score his first goal since October.