Chelsea’s stuttering form at the end of the year continued into 2025 as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Crystal Palace in one of their five Premier League openers at 3pm. on Saturday afternoon.
Cole Palmer gave Enzo Maresca’s side a first-half lead thanks to Jadon Sancho’s assist, but an 82nd-minute equalizer from Jean-Philippe Mateta ensured the Blues are now without a win in four league games.
The point could prove crucial for Oliver Glasner’s side, who are six points clear of the relegation zone.
But if Chelsea hope to put the business end of 2024 behind them, Manchester City will look to extend theirs for as long as possible.
Pep Guardiola’s side made it back-to-back league wins for the first time since October as they comfortably won 4-1 against West Ham at the Etihad.
An own goal from Vladimir Kufal set City on their way before Erling Haaland’s strike and Phil Foden’s strike put the hosts in the lead.
FULL TIME | We start 2025 with a win!
4-1
#ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/6QLROahKiy
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 4, 2025
Niclas Fullkrug pulled one back for the Hammers but it proved little more than a consolation as the pressure mounts on manager Julen Lopetegui.
City are two points off the top four.
It was another miserable afternoon for bottom side Southampton, who were thrashed 5-0 by Brentford at St Mary’s.
Kevin Schade opened the scoring for the Bees. The Saints held on to a 1-0 lead for the better part of an hour before Bryan Mbeumo scored a brace.
From there, the floodgates opened and Keane Lewis-Potter and Yoane Wissa added a fourth and fifth in added time to lift Thomas Frank’s side to tenth.
Elsewhere, signs of Aston Villa’s resurgence are starting to show as they emerged 2-1 winners over Leicester.
First win of the new year
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 4, 2025
Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey scored for Villa as they recorded their first Premier League double over the Foxes since 2004.
Stephy Mavididi had earlier equalized for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side, but the Dutchman’s job of keeping Leicester in the Premier League looks increasingly difficult.
The Foxes have now lost five league games in a row and eight of their last ten.
A David Brooks goal proved enough as Bournemouth held off Everton 1-0 at the Vitality Stadium.
The result keeps the Cherries in seventh place, while the Toffees remain in 16th.
2025-01-04 17:30:00
