Gabriel Jesus scored a first-half double as Arsenal won 5-1 at Crystal Palace to climb within three points of Premier League leaders Liverpool.
The Brazil forward, who struck a hat-trick in Wednesday’s 3-2 Carabao Cup win against Palace, followed up with two more as Mikel Arteta’s side extended their unbeaten league run to seven matches.
Jesus scored twice inside the opening 15 minutes, either side of Ismaila Sarr’s equaliser, in a frenetic opening.
A sensational success in south London ✊ pic.twitter.com/c3CObjTrL7
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 21, 2024
And after Kai Havertz gave the Gunners a 3-1 half-time lead, Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice added further goals in the second period.
Morgan Rogers scored against his former club as Aston Villa beat Manchester City 2-1 at Villa Park to heap more misery on Pep Guardiola’s floundering side.
Rogers, who never made a senior appearance for City, set up a first-half opener for Jhon Duran before doubling his side’s lead in the second period.
Phil Foden struck a stoppage-time consolation for the reigning champions, who slipped to sixth in the table after a ninth defeat in their last 12 matches in all competitions.
It's the most wonderful time of the year 😁 pic.twitter.com/vp9lSheSYp
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 21, 2024
Unai Emery’s Villa secured their third win in nine league games to get back on track in their bid for a top-four finish.
Nottingham Forest climbed up to third place after goals from Ola Aina and Anthony Elanga sealed a 2-0 win at Brentford.
Full-back Aina fired into the bottom corner late in the first half after being played in by Neco Williams and Elanga finished from inside the box in similar fashion to extend Forest’s lead early in the second period.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side secured their third straight league win and fourth in five matches to climb above Arsenal in the table.
Ten goals in his last eleven appearances.
Simply sensational. 🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/ReNX1DVcTo
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) December 21, 2024
Alexander Isak fired a hat-trick as Newcastle made it back-to-back 4-0 league wins with a comfortable victory at Ipswich, who have yet to win at Portman Road this season.
Isak put Newcastle ahead inside the opening minute after a VAR review and after Jacob Murphy had doubled their lead, the Sweden forward rifled home his second in first-half stoppage time and added his third early in the second period.
Mohammed Kudus headed a second-half equaliser to earn West Ham a point in a 1-1 home draw against Brighton.
Kudus headed home a rebound after Jarrod Bowen’s shot had been parried by Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen seven minutes after Mats Wieffer’s first goal for Brighton had given the visitors the lead.