With Manchester United winning on Tuesday, the other Premiership contenders had to follow suit. But it didn't work out that way, meaning United scored a big win without even playing. Results also looked to have put four managers into trouble.
One of those managers is West Ham's Avram Grant. There has been no response to questions after West Ham's festive period became forgotten after a thrashing from Newcastle. The rout started eighteen minutes into the game when Leon Best opened his Premiership account. He was quick to add to his tally and did so six minutes before half-time. West Ham were three down before the whistle went because of an injury time goal from Kevin Nolan. Best then secured his hat-trick on the hour mark before Lovenkrands made it 5-0 three minutes later. The win sees Newcastle move up to eighth with West Ham still rooted at the bottom of the table.
The second of the four under fire managers is Gerard Houllier at Aston Villa, however the board have said his job is safe despite another loss. This time it was against Sunderland in a result that sees Villa drop into the bottom three. Nothing really happened until the 69th minute when Emile Heskey was unusually sent off, it was for violent conduct after pushing his hands into a defender. Sunderland took advantage and took the lead via Phil Bardsley ten minutes from time. The man count became level six minutes later when substitute Zenden received a second yellow card. Sunderland move up to sixth but the bad news is Meyler and Welbeck became the latest casualties on the injured list.
Chelsea's shocking run of form continued with another defeat that more than certainly puts Ancelotti at risk from the sack. The only goal came after five minutes when Jose Bosingwa scored into his own net to give Wolves the victory. The win moves Wolves out of the relegation zone.
There was a goalless bore draw at the Emirates. What's the point of having hundreds of millions of pounds if you can't buy ambition? It says it all when you see Arsenal's opponents Manchester City only three shots all game with none on target and clearly playing for a draw. Arsenal failed to take chances and were guilty of over playing. The only drama came in second half injury time when Sagna and Zabaleta squared up to each other and leaned in with their heads, both received red cards and will look to appeal. Zabaleta mat have a case but Sagna was definitely the more violent and shouldn't have the card rescinded.
Tottenham also received a blow to their league plight with a defeat to Everton. Louis Saha put Everton ahead after just three but Van Der Vaart equalised eight minutes later. The winner came fifteen minutes from time with a goal from Seamus Coleman.
Everton move level with rivals Liverpool after they suffered yet another defeat. Blackburn fans and Liverpool fans were singing 'you're getting sacked in the morning' to under fire Roy Hodgson. Blackburn opened the deadlock after 32 minutes when Olsson found the net. Benjani then doubled the lead six minutes later before scoring his second twelve minutes into the second half. It got worse for Liverpool when Gerrard missed a penalty but he did eventually score a consolation nine minutes from time. Blackburn now move into the top half above Stoke, in ninth.
The Reebok saw a dull first half but a little better second half as Bolton hosted Wigan. It took just nine minutes into the second half for the deadlock to be broken; Rodrigo giving Bolton the lead. Ronnie Stam earned Wigan a point with an equaliser ten minutes from time. Bolton stay seventh while Wigan move a point ahead of West Ham and level with Villa and Wolves.
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