Chelsea’s end-of-year form continued into 2025 as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace in one of five Premier League kick-offs at 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon.
Cole Palmer put Enzo Maresca’s side ahead in the first half, thanks to an assist from Jadon Sancho, but an 82nd-minute equalizer from Jean-Philippe Mateta put the Blues ahead without a win in four league matches.
This point could prove crucial for Oliver Glasner’s team, who are six points clear of the relegation zone.
But if Chelsea hope to put the end of 2024 behind them, Manchester City will look to continue theirs for as long as possible.
Pep Guardiola’s side made it back-to-back league victories for the first time since October as they comfortably won 4-1 against West Ham at the Etihad.
A Vladimir Coufal own goal put City on track before a brace from Erling Haaland and a Phil Foden strike put the hosts in a dominant position.
FULL TIME | Start 2025 with a victory! 👊
🩵 4-1 ⚒️ #ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/6QLROahKiy
-Manchester City (@ManCity) January 4, 2025
Niclas Fullkrug pulled one back for the Hammers, but that proved to be little more than a consolation as pressure mounts on manager Julen Lopetegui.
City move to within two points of the top four.
It was another miserable afternoon for Southampton, who were beaten 5-0 by Brentford at St Mary’s.
Kevin Schade opened the scoring for the Bees. The Saints kept the score at 1-0 for almost an hour before Bryan Mbeumo scored a quickfire double.
From there the floodgates opened and Keane Lewis-Potter and Yoane Wissa added a fourth and a fifth in added time to propel Thomas Frank’s side into tenth place.
Elsewhere, signs of Aston Villa’s resurgence began to show as they won 2-1 against Leicester.
First victory of the new year 🤝
– Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 4, 2025
Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey scored Villa’s goals as they recorded their first Premier League double against the Foxes since 2004.
Stephy Mavididi had already equalized for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side, but the Dutchman’s task of keeping Leicester in the Premier League is looking increasingly difficult.
The Foxes have now lost five league matches in a row and eight of their last ten.
A David Brooks goal proved enough as Bournemouth beat Everton 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium.
The result keeps the Cherries in seventh, while the Toffees remain in 16th.
