It's good to see that the Premier league has resolved to continue with games despite the recent outbreak of Covid-19 among teams, again, due to the low level of vaccination among players in the league.
Matchweek 19 which started on Boxing day saw three games postponed; Liverpool vs Leeds United, Wolves vs Watford, Burnley vs Everton and a host of teams actually battering their opponents like though they were in a boxing ring. The likes of Arsenal and Manchester City scoring five and six goals respectively, even though the latter conceded three while the former conceded none.
30 goals were recorded across the seven centres, coming to an average of 4.3 goals per game, arguably the highest per game ratio this season.
Three teams each recorded wins at home and away, while the only draw of the round came on Monday night as Edison Cavani salvaged a point for Manchester United against an impressive Newcastle side, who many felt were deserving of the whole three points.
It's the Matchweek with the shortest interval to the next Matchweek as Matchweek 20 kicked off earlier today, barely 24 hours after the last one ended.
Here are your facts for Week 19.
Norwich City 0-5 Arsenal
In his last four Premier League games, Bukayo Saka has scored and assisted two goals each. He has also scored on two consecutive Boxing Day fixtures, the other against Chelsea last season and becomes the youngest Arsenal player since Nicolas Anelka to score 10 Premier League goals. Prospect.
Out of Arsenal's 32 League goals this season, 17 of them (53%) have been scored by players who are under 21 years and just three of them, Emile Smith Rowe (8), Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka (4 each). Young Guns.
For the month of December, no player has been more involved in Premier League goals than Arsenal's Martin Odegaard, who has been involved in six goals in the month, scoring and assisting three goals each. December boy.
Arsenal have now scored 19 goals in their last five games in all competitions, conceding only twice. This coincides with the exclusion of Aubameyang from the team. Sorted?
Saka has the highest number of goals and assists this season in the Premier League for players under 21, 5 and 4 respectively. Lil Chili.
Since Emile Smith Rowe made his debut for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta last December, only Manchester City have won more Premier League points (110) than the Gunners (82). Mr Process.
Aaron Ramsdale kept his 10th clean sheet for Arsenal in just his 17th appearance. It took Bernd Leno 43 games to achieve this. Displacement.
Manchester City 6-3 Leicester City
Riyad Mahrez has scored more goals (12) across all competitions than any other Man City player this season.
Raheem Sterling is the player with the highest number of Premier League goals in December with five goals. Year end rally.
After putting in a great performance in their loss to City with one goal and two assists, Kelechi Ịheanachọ has now contributed to 20 Premier League goals for the Foxes in 2021 with 14 goals and 6 assists, all coming in 30 games, starting just 19. Senior man.
Following his return from injury, James Maddison has now been directly involved in seven goals in his last five Premier League outings with 4 goals and 3 assists. Back with a bang.
West Ham United 2-3 Southampton
Since the 2006/2007 season when Micah Richard's started Manchester City's first 18 Premier League games at the age of 18, 19-year old Valentino Livramento became the first teenager to achieve same feat. Catch them young.
29% of Southampton's Premier League goals this season have been from outside the penalty area, the highest in the the league. Shooters.
West Ham have scored 23 goals from corner kicks since David Moyes returned to the club in January 2020. This is the joint-highest along with Liverpool in this period. Angles.
Every single of Michail Antonio's 53 Premier League goals for West Ham have all come from inside the box. Only former Everton man, Tim Cahil has scored more from inside the box (56). Fox.
Tottenham 3-0 Crystal Palace
Harry Kane's opener against Palace makes him the player with the highest number of Premier League goals scored on Boxing Day with 9 goals. Boxer.
James Ward-Prowse becomes the second Saints player after Matt Le Tissier to hit 30+ assists in the Premier League. Provider.
Aston Villa 1-3 Chelsea
The highest number of penalties scored in the Premier League this year is 9 by Jorginho. This is the joint-highest in a calendar along with Matt Le Tissier (1994) and Steven Gerrard (2014). Spot.
That was Reece James' first ever career own goal. Unlucky.
Newcastle 1-1 Manchester United
Allan Saint-Maximin has scored four Premier League goals this season and all have come at St. James' Park. He also became the first player to score a Premier League goal against Manchester United under New manager, Ralf Ragnick. Home boy.
BONUS
The pace for this season's Golden boot race looks to have been set by Mohammed Salah with 15 goals. His closest rival is his teammate, Diogo Jota on 10, before Jamie Vardy on 9, but the most interesting for me would definitely be Emile Smith Rowe, who is currently tied in fourth on 8 goals along with Heung-Min Son and Raphina. More interestingly, four of those 8 goals have come in his last four matches as a substitute.
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