Man Utd find their groove, Liverpool show mark of champions... EPL hits & misses

Manchester United bounce back in style, welcome signs of progress for Arsenal, Aubameyang is Arsenal's main man again, Southampton continue to defy the odds...

Man Utd find their groove

Matty Longstaff struck the winner for Newcastle over Manchester United in October - a real low in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side's erratic start to the season. At one stage on Boxing Day it looked as though the 19-year-old was going to deal the Manchester United boss another major hit with just his second goal as a pro.

But - with some help from Longstaff's team-mates - Manchester United found a foothold and then hammered home their advantage quickly, with a swagger that made you wonder whether these really were the same players who crumpled to the embarrassing defeat at Watford four days ago.

Newcastle 'keeper Martin Dubravka should have done better with Anthony Martial's powerful equaliser but he could do nothing about Mason Greenwood's crashing drive, which picked up a feint deflection on the way through but still underlined the 18-year-old as a rising star.

Marcus Rashford then took his season's goal tally to a career-best 11 league goals with an uncharacteristic towering header before Martial profited from Sean Longstaff's woeful back pass to finish clinically barely five minutes after half-time.

Manchester United enjoyed over 76 per cent possession in the second period, turning the game into a procession and never gave Newcastle a sniff of getting back into the match. It was commanding, confident stuff, with standout highlights for United's exciting young attackers.

Coupled with Chelsea's defeat at home to Southampton, the win means Manchester United are now just four points off the Champions League places, with Burnley up next. Inconsistency has dogged Solskjaer's side this season - but he will hope to see more of the same on Saturday to surge into the second half of the season.

Small steps for Arteta's Arsenal

It wasn't the result Mikel Arteta would have wanted from his first game as Arsenal head coach, but there were promising signs for the Gunners and their Spanish head coach during their 1-1 draw with Bournemouth.

Firstly, the balance of the Gunners' midfield looked better with solid performances from Lucas Torreira and Granit Xhaka, while Mesut Ozil also produced a promising display, starting in the No 10 position.

Secondly, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continued his excellent scoring run to rescue Arsenal's point. The Arsenal captain has now scored 11 of Arsenal's last 16 away league goals, including seven of their last nine on the road in the Premier League. He's scored 12 goals in the Premier League so far this season and 14 in all competitions.

Finally, Arsenal, who have now won 11 points from losing positions in the Premier League this season - more than any other side - showed plenty of fight and character to respond to Dan Gosling's first-half strike.

On the other hand, there were signs of the task of the job facing Arteta in north London. Some of his players are struggling for confidence at the moment and top of that list is Alexandre Lacazette, who produced a number of poor finishes at Bournemouth. The final ball from Arsenal's wide players was also lacking, while their failure to keep a clean sheet will still be a cause for concern for Arteta and his coaching staff.

However, it is still very small steps for Arteta's Arsenal, who will have much sterner tests to come in the shape of Chelsea, live on Sky Sports on Super Sunday, next and Manchester United on New Year's Day. We will surely get a much clearer view of the job facing Arteta and the changes he is trying to bring in, in the next week or so, but it's a positive first small step for the new head coach at the Emirates.

Liverpool show mark of champions

Despite racking up win after win after win, Liverpool have not hit top gear much in recent weeks. That's another accusation they've got ticked off the list after a dominating, ruthless, superb win at Leicester to move 13 points clear, for one night at least.

Liverpool denied their hosts a single shot before half-time and should have been at least two or three goals up by the break. It mattered little, because by full-time they were 4-0 up and subjecting the Foxes to their biggest home defeat since May 2017.

Trent Alexander-Arnold sparkled on the right, making two goals and scoring a third while Roberto Firmino continued his wonderful form after scoring the winner in last weekend's Club World Cup final. Naby Keita finally looks like the player Liverpool spent all that money on 18 months ago, too, taking on more duels and making more interceptions than anyone on his side.

Thirteen points clear and with a game in hand, Liverpool are hitting top form at just the right time in a brutal festive period. After a six-pointer like this, the Reds have one more finger on the trophy.

Spurs in the mould of Mourinho

For 45 minutes against Brighton, any remnants of the new-manager bounce which came following Jose Mourinho's appointment looked to have finally dissipated at Tottenham.

With Sunday's defeat to Chelsea lingering in the memory for all the wrong reasons, the last thing the weary Spurs faithful needed was a lethargic performance. But with Aaron Mooy inspired, Brighton caused Spurs problems from the first whistle and it was only a matter of time before Adam Webster stunned the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a deserved opener. Having unravelled on and off the pitch in identical circumstances four days previous, all eyes were on Mourinho and Spurs to respond - and respond they did with a gutsy comeback that had all the hallmarks of the Portuguese boss.

Two goals of the highest order in 19 second-half minutes from the ever-reliable Harry Kane and the resurgent Dele Alli transformed the mood, but it was the steeliness with which they returned to winning ways that really impressed.

Hudson-Odoi struggling to repay Lampard faith

It felt like Callum Hudson-Odoi was primed for a big, breakthrough season when he finally committed to a new Chelsea contract in September, but, three months later, supporters are still waiting to see him produce his best form on a consistent basis under Frank Lampard.

The 19-year-old was handed his first start since the end of October against Southampton but endured a difficult afternoon in the 2-0 defeat, losing possession in the build-up to the opening goal and drawing groans of frustration from the crowd with several unsuccessful flicks and tricks.

Hudson-Odoi had three shots - more than any other Chelsea player - but none of them found the target. He has now failed to register a single goal or assist in any of his last 12 appearances in all competitions and on this evidence his prospects of winning back his starting spot are not bright.

Lampard, though, chose to defend him in his post-match press conference, highlighting his work-rate on and off the ball. "I've sat here and I've been relatively harsh on Callum a couple of times," he said. "But I don't think now is the moment to do that because I think I saw today an effort and a desire and I've seen that in training for the last couple of weeks."

Lampard was quick to point out that Hudson-Odoi is still young and that he has come through a serious injury, adding that he will continue to show faith in him. But with the January transfer window approaching, and with the possibility of new attacking recruits joining the squad, he needs to find some form sooner rather than later.

What did Ancelotti change?

There were interested eyes on Carlo Ancelotti's teamsheet. Would he throw in any tactical surprises in his first game in charge or keep things simple in order to build on the momentum gained from Ferguson's switch to a more rough and ready 4-4-2? In truth, the Italian did a bit of both.

On paper it seemed Ancelotti would be setting up in a 4-4-2 with Seamus Coleman and Djibril Sidibie liking down the right and that was the case when Everton were out of possession, very much similar to the way when the Toffees stifled Manchester United. However, Ancelotti did tweak the system when in possession with Coleman switching to the right side of a back three in order for Lucas Digne to get down the left flank which moved Bernard inside.

That ploy did allow the Brazilian to cause Burnley problems in the pocket although his final pass or finish was lacking against a stubborn Burnley brick wall. That was a common theme throughout in terms of Everton's quality in the final third and this result was a fine example of how fine the lines are in football. Calvert-Lewin's winner, which was created out of nothing, didn't look coming but his powerful headed effort means Ancelotti starts his reign showered in positivity. Bigger challenges lie in wait.