(Football news) Reigning champions and league leaders Manchester City survived a nine goal thriller at the Etihad Stadium as they went on to defeat Leicester City 6-3. Kevin De Bruyne opened the scoring for the hosts in the 5th minute before Riyad Mahrez doubled the advantage from the spot in the 14th minute. Two more goals followed as Ilkay Gundogan found himself in the scoresheet alongside Raheem Sterling as it looked like another comfortable victory for Pep Guardiola’s team.

However, Brendan Rodgers tweaked his system to great effect as James Maddison, Ademola Lookman and Kelechi Iheanacho scored three goals in quick succession as the Foxes got back into the game. Pep Guardiola’s team showed exactly why they are champions of England when Aymeric Laporte gave City some breathing space by heading home the fifth goal while some poor defending from Leicester allowed Raheem Sterling to score his second from close range.

City are in pole position to defend their title heading into the new year, having won their last nine games and scoring 30 goals in the process. Their 6-3 win against Leicester was the first ever Premier League game on Boxing Day to see nine goals since Oldham 3-6 Manchester United in 1991. With this result, City are now 6 points ahead of second place Liverpool but have played a game more than Jurgen Klopp’s team while Leicester City are 10th in the Premier League.

At Villa Park, a Romelu Lukaku inspired comeback gave Chelsea a vital win over Aston Villa to maintain their hopes of remaining in the title race. A first half own goal by Reece James gave the hosts a lead in the 28th minute but Jorginho converted a penalty in the 34th minute to level the scoring after Matty Cash’s foul. Belgian striker Lukaku then made his way from the bench and gave Chelsea the lead in the 56th minute through a header before winning a penalty in added time which was duly converted by Jorginho.

With this result Chelsea are now level on points with Liverpool but are in third place because of goal difference. The Blues have also played a game more than Jurgen Klopp’s team while Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa are 11th in the Premier League, level on points with Leicester City. 

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It was Mikel Arteta’s two year anniversary at Arsenal and he could not have hoped for a better result as Arsenal thrashed Norwich City 5-0 at Carrow Road to cement their position in the top 4 of the Premier League. The Gunners got the perfect start through Bukayo Saka who gave his side a sixth minute lead while Kieran Tierney doubled the advantage in the 44th minute. Saka then doubled his own tally with a goal in the 67th minute with an impressive strike from the edge of the penalty area. The 20 year old has now been involved in nine goals in his 19 Premier League games this season.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continues to be absent for Arsenal and skipper Alexandre Lacazette scored from the penalty spot in the 84th minute after the Frenchman was fouled by Ozan Kabak in the penalty box while substitute Emile Smith Rowe scored Arsenal’s fifth in the 91st minute. The Gunners have now won five straight games in all competitions for the first time since 2018 and are currently in the 4th position, six points ahead of rivals Tottenham who have played two games less. Meanwhile, Norwich remain 20th in the Premier League despite being level on points with Newcastle.