Three talking points from the Premier League

ARSENAL held off Manchester City to stay top of the Premier League at Christmas courtesy of a Viktor Gyokeres penalty in the 1-0 win at Everton.

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Liverpool cashed in on nine-man Tottenham's lack of composure to extend their revival in the absence of Mohamed Salah.

Bottom of the table Wolves are setting unwanted records after a 10th straight league defeat against Brentford.

Here we look at three talking points from the weekend’s action:

Arsenal aim to crack Christmas curse

The Gunners will be top of the tree on Christmas Day for the third time in four years after grinding out a first Premier League away win in four games on Merseyside.

Being in first place at that landmark point of the campaign is usually a sign of future champions, but it has proved to be more of a curse for Arsenal.

In the four previous times they have led at Christmas in the Premier League era, they have not gone on to win the title.

That includes two recent examples as Mikel Arteta’s men were reeled in by Manchester City in 2022-23 and 2023-24.

Indeed the last five times the leaders at Christmas did not go on to becomes champions, City have won the title.