Enzo Maresca has left his job as Chelsea’s head coach. Maresca’s relationship with the club’s board has broken down and the split has led to a parting of the ways. It had seemed Chelsea would give the Italian time to turn around his side’s form but events have moved quickly during the past 24 hours. There was deep dissatisfaction with the 45-year-old’s decisions during games but the bigger issue was his conduct away from the pitch.
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Arsenal scored four second-half goals as they thumped Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium to end the year five points clear at the top of the Premier League. Centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes broke the deadlock with Martin Zubimendi, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus all getting in on the act. Ollie Watkins scored a late consolation goal for the Villains.
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Teenager Archie Gray’s first senior goal ensured Tottenham bounced back from consecutive Premier League defeats with a narrow victory over Crystal Palace, as Thomas Frank’s side ended the year on a positive note at Selhurst Park. The 19-year-old Gray punished Palace’s failure to deal with a corner from close range three minutes before half-time, after Randal Kolo Muani and then Richarlison were able to win aerial duels following Pedro Porro’s delivery to the back post.
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Ollie Watkins emerged from the bench to spearhead a superb Aston Villa revival as they came from behind to confirm their Premier League title credentials at Chelsea with an 11th successive win in all competitions. Chelsea deservedly led after 37 minutes when striker Joao Pedro got a vital touch in a goalmouth scramble however Watkin’s second half introduction proved to be an inspired move from Unai Emery as the Villans continue to fly high.
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Badly depleted Manchester United clung on to climb back into the Premier League’s top five as Patrick Dorgu’s stunning volley proved enough to beat Newcastle at Old Trafford. Missing seven senior players through injury and international duty including skipper Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Amorim’s side also lost Mason Mount at half-time. But despite Newcastle having 66% possession and Lewis Hall’s thunderous strike bouncing down off the underside of the bar, Eddie Howe’s side could not come up with a leveller as their dismal recent form continued.
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