The Christmas period was filled with football and the beginning of the New Year was no different, with another midweek round of fixtures.

Leaders Liverpool travelled to the Etihad Stadium to face second-placed Man City, with the Sky Blues emerging as 2-1 victors to close the gap to Jurgen Klopp’s men to just four points.

Tottenham bounced back from their defeat to Wolves by comfortably overcoming Cardiff and Chelsea were held to a draw at home by a resolute Southampton.

Arsenal thumped Fulham and Man United picked up another win, this time away to Newcastle.

Who has started the new year in fine form and who need to step up their game?

Here are our winners and losers from week 21.

WINNERS

Marko Arnautovic – West Ham 

The Austrian has just returned from injury and helped the Hammers fight back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Brighton.

Arnautovic scored a brace and his return to the team has certainly helped Manuel Pellegrini’s side.

If the 29-year-old can keep up this majestic scoring form, then the East London side will continue to rise up the table.

Troy Deeney – Watford

The Watford captain is still performing at the highest level even at the tender age of 30.

The Englishman scored his 116th and 117th goals for the Hornets in an entertaining 3-3 draw with Bournemouth.

Every year Deeney proves that he is still a lethal finisher and the Cherries were at the receiving end from a textbook performance from the experienced striker.

Leroy Sane – Manchester City

City went into the match with Liverpool knowing they had to seal all three points, and it was Sane’s low strike that secured victory for Pep Guardiola’s side.

His pace was a constant problem for the Reds and he arrowed his drive in off the post beyond Alisson Becker.

LOSERS

Christopher Schindler – Huddersfield

In arguably the Terriers’ biggest game of the season against Burnley, Schindler cost his side by picking up two yellow cards in the first half.

The German picked up the second for bringing down Dwight McNeil but looked confused when sent off.

The defender seemed like he never knew he was already on a yellow as he walked down the tunnel.

Robbie Brady – Burnley

Burnley have been waiting patiently for the return of winger Brady, but they will now be without him again for the next three matches after he was dismissed for a reckless lunge against Huddersfield.

Chelsea

The Blues could not find the back of the net against a battling Southampton side at Stamford Bridge.

Since beating Man City early in December, Maurizio Sarri’s side have lost one and drawn one, seeing them fall further away in the title race.

The draw with the Saints has allowed Arsenal and Man United to gain ground on them as the race for the top four heats up.