Liverpool will celebrate Christmas top of the Premier League table after a 6-3 win at Tottenham Hotspur.
Arne Slot’s side extended their advantage to four points, with a game in hand on the chasing pack, after a gripping game in North London. Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz scored twice, with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai also on target as the Reds ran riot.
It’s often said that being top of the table at Christmas is a good indication of a team’s title credentials, but is that true?
Looking back at the Premier League era, it’s a mixed record when it comes to Christmas table toppers turning into champions. Exactly 50% (16/32) of the teams top on December 25th went on to win the Premier League.
However, Liverpool know better than most that top spot for the festivities is no guarantee of success. No side has topped the Premier League more times (5) without winning the league. Liverpool have gone on to win the Premier League just once (2019/20) from six Christmas Days spent top of the table.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have led the table over Christmas four times and on each occasion failed to get over the line. None of the club’s three Premier League title successes came with Arsenal top at Christmas.
There’s more positive news for Manchester City fans. The Citizens crashed to a sixth league defeat in eight games this weekend and sit seventh in the table. However, Pep Guardiola’s side recovered from being eighth at Christmas in 2020/21 to win the Premier League. It is the lowest an eventual champion has ever been on December 25th.
City are one of four teams to have always won the title when leading on Christmas Day, alongside Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City.
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