Chelsea maintained their billing at Premier League favourites as they dispatched fourth-place West Ham 2-0 in the London derby, while a Wayne Rooney double helped Manchester United past Newcastle and Manchester City thrashed West Brom to silence some critics.
Chelsea 2 – 0 West Ham
Chelsea showed why they are the Premier League leaders with a comprehensive 2-0 dismissal of London neighbours West Ham United in Friday's early Boxing Day fixture. John Terry and Diego Costa were the men on target as Jose Mourinho's side moved six points ahead of second-place Manchester City, who are in action later in the day. West Ham had begun the day in fourth place, but the gulf in class between the two teams was apparent throughout, with Chelsea's Eden Hazard the game's most eye-catching performer.
Burnley 0 – 1 Liverpool
Liverpool ground their way to a 1-0 win at Burnley, England forward Raheem Sterling on target for Brendan Rodgers' men.
Burnley would have leapfrogged Palace and out of the relegation zone with a draw, but were unable to hold firm against the Reds at Turf Moor.
Crystal Palace 1 – 3 Southampton
Southampton climbed back into the Premier League's top four with a 3-1 win against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Ronald Koeman's side moved into the fourth and final Champions League place with their second successive victory to maintain their revival after a run of five games without a win. Senegal winger Sadio Mane's third goal for Southampton, and his first since October, opened the scoring in rain-lashed south London and second half strikes from Ryan Bertrand and Toby Alderweireld sealed the points. Palace have gone six matches without a win since their shock victory over Liverpool last month and Neil Warnock's team slipped into the relegation zone after a dispiriting performance.
Everton 0 – 1 Stoke
Bojan Kirkic's controversial penalty won a fiercely contested fixture for Stoke as Everton were left counting the cost of injuries and missed chances. The Spaniard sprinted around James McCarthy and went down, with referee Lee Mason adjudging contact was made.
Leicester 1 – 2 Tottenham
Christian Eriksen's free-kick helped Tottenham survive a scare at Leicester as they returned from the King Power Stadium with a 2-1 win. Harry Kane handed Spurs the lead in the first minute, but Leonardo Ulloa's second goal in four games drew Leicester level. Denmark midfielder Eriksen blasted Spurs to victory however, to leave Leicester still rooted to the foot of the table.
Manchester United 3 – 1 Newcastle
Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United rewarded manager Louis van Gaal's decision to grant his players Christmas Day off by beating Newcastle United 3-1. Rooney, relishing the deeper midfield role which he has been assigned recently, effectively decided the contest with two lethal finishes and set up a third goal for Robin van Persie in the second half. But although United won for the 18th time in their last 21 Boxing Day outings, they were obliged to survive a spirited opening quarter to the match from Alan Pardew's visitors.
Sunderland 1 – 3 Hull
Hull claimed their first win in 11 Premier League games with a 3-1 comeback victory at Sunderland, to move out of the drop zone at Palace's expense. Adam Johnson put Sunderland ahead after just 30 seconds, but Southampton loanee Gaston Ramirez struck his first Hull goal on his 12th appearance for the club to draw the teams level, before setting up James Chester to double his side's tally. Former Everton striker Nikica Jelavic then killed the contest by blasting Hull's third goal as the game edged to its conclusion.
Swansea 1 – 0 Aston Villa
Iceland international Gylfi Sigurdsson delivered the goal that earned Swansea a 1-0 Boxing Day win over Aston Villa at the Liberty Stadium. Swansea manager Gary Monk made four changes from the side that beat Hull by the same scoreline last weekend. Top scorer Wilfried Bony returned after being left on the bench against Hull, and also back after injury were Sigurdsson and Jefferson Montero.
West Brom 1 – 3 Manchester City
City kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea with a convincing 3-1 victory at West Bromwich Albion. Fernando, Yaya Toure and David Silva were on the scoresheet as Manuel Pellegrini's second-placed side provided an emphatic response to Chelsea's win against West Ham earlier in the day. It was a seventh successive win for the champions as they continued their excellent recent form and provided further evidence they remain firmly in the title race with just three points separating them from Chelsea.
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