Newcastle brilliant, Man Utd and Chelsea awful

“December in English football is the toughest month ever,” said former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp on more than one occasion.

“Get it and get results,” it was Premier League the winner’s sage advice for the festive period, “then get your head up and get out of here”.

The flurry of games either side of Christmas Day has seen countless early scores over the years, points dropped and players lost to injury. This year’s leading pack has been hit once again, with all three arsenalLiverpool and Chelsea fail to register perfect records in this period.

As always, some made it onto the list of festive events more easily than others.

Only two clubs won all four Premier League games between mid-December and the first week of January; Newcastle United i Nottingham Forest.

Not only do Forest have an unblemished record, but they haven’t conceded a goal since December 14. Nuno Espirito Santo’s imperious side concluded a perfect Christmas period with an emphatic 3-0 win over their former employers Wolves on Monday night. That sweet triumph was also the 50th anniversary of Brian Clough’s appointment at the City Ground, but the current run of six consecutive top-flight wins in a single season was a feat not even Nuno’s legendary predecessor could achieve.

Newcastle have conceded just one goal, beating Ipswich Town, Aston Villa and Manchester United before coming from behind against Tottenham Hotspur during the weekend.

LiverpoolThe leadership at the summit of the Premier League remains as healthy as it was before the winter period 2-2 draw with United on sunday arsenal failed to capitalize on a rare slip from Arne Slot’s side as the injury-hit Gunners stayed a stalemate with Brighton.

Tottenham i Manchester United they are at the opposite end of the form table. Two members of the traditional elite managed to collect as many points as funds Southampton – one Chelsea didn’t fare much better, racking up a couple of draws and defeats during a theoretically straightforward schedule against Everton (16th in the table), Fulham (ninth), Ipswich (18th), Crystal Palace (15th).

The only club that did not manage a single point during this period was City of Leicester. With new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy bouncing back a distant memory, the Foxes shipped ten goals and 54 shots in four games. The Dutch coach’s decision to switch goalkeepers, leaving veteran Danny Ward for debutant Jakub Stolarczyk, did not pay off.

Leicester’s results may have been as bleak as the weather, but they tested Liverpool and delivered Manchester City one almighty fright. Pep Guardiola’s side have halted their perilous slide of late, racking up back-to-back wins against the Foxes and West Ham that were cathartic but not entirely convincing.

However, as Klopp was only too keen to point out, festive football in England is about points rather than performances.

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