Image coutesy: X(Chelsea)
As Christmas approaches, some of Europe’s biggest football clubs appeared to be distracted by holiday thoughts, resulting in a weekend of surprises. Heavyweights like Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Bayern Munich all dropped points, while Chelsea seized the moment to emerge as the weekend’s big winners.
With a 2-1 victory over Brentford at Stamford Bridge and a string of favorable results elsewhere, Chelsea moved within two points of Premier League leaders Liverpool. Here’s a detailed look at an action-packed weekend across Europe.
Chelsea’s Perfect Weekend
Chelsea fans were given an early Christmas present as their team clinched a 2-1 win over Brentford on Sunday. While the match was another rollercoaster for the Blues—marked by missed chances and close calls—they ultimately secured their 10th win of the season. Goals from Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson ensured the victory, taking Chelsea’s tally to 34 points after 16 games, a significant improvement from the 19 points they had at the same stage last season.
Manager Enzo Maresca couldn’t have asked for a better weekend. Rivals Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Aston Villa all dropped points, giving Chelsea the opportunity to close the gap at the top. The Blues now sit just two points behind Liverpool, with a four-point lead over Arsenal in third and a six-point cushion over Nottingham Forest in fourth.
Europe’s Heavyweights Falter
While Chelsea celebrated, it was a weekend to forget for many of Europe’s elite:
- Liverpool 1-1 Fulham: Liverpool struggled to break down a determined Fulham side. Rodrigo Muniz’s brilliant backheel goal stole the show, although Diogo Jota’s equalizer salvaged a point for the Reds.
- Arsenal 2-2 Everton: Arsenal squandered a 2-1 lead late in the game, dropping valuable points at home.
- Barcelona 0-1 Leganés: Barcelona’s struggles deepened with another loss, leaving them level on points with Atlético Madrid after leading La Liga by nine points in October.
- Real Madrid 3-3 Rayo Vallecano: A thrilling six-goal draw saw Real Madrid throw away a late lead, leaving them behind Atlético Madrid in the table.
- Bayern Munich 1-2 Mainz: Bayern suffered their first Bundesliga loss of the season, with Mainz capitalizing on the absence of star striker Harry Kane.
- Juventus 2-2 Venezia: Juventus, despite a late equalizer from Dusan Vlahović, dropped points against bottom-side Venezia, continuing their inconsistent Serie A campaign.
Weekend Highlights Across Europe
Best Match: Rayo Vallecano 3-3 Real Madrid
In a pulsating La Liga encounter, Real Madrid fought back from 2-0 down to take a 3-2 lead, only to concede a late equalizer. Jude Bellingham scored for the sixth successive league game, and Federico Valverde’s stunning long-range goal was a highlight.
Best Goal: Rodrigo Muniz (Fulham) vs. Liverpool
Muniz’s audacious backheel goal after a pinpoint cross from Antonee Robinson was a thing of beauty, leaving Liverpool’s defense stunned.
MVP of the Weekend: Amad (Manchester United)
Amad Diallo starred in Manchester United’s victory over Manchester City, showcasing the talent that was underutilized during Erik ten Hag’s tenure. His performance helped new manager Ruben Amorim secure a crucial derby win.
Bundesliga Chaos: Union Berlin 1-1 VfL Bochum
A fan incident marred the match between Union Berlin and Bochum, with Bochum’s goalkeeper Patrick Drewes hit by a lighter thrown from the stands. The game resumed after a 30-minute delay, with Bochum lodging a protest.
The Bigger Picture
Chelsea’s rise under Enzo Maresca this season has been remarkable. From a team struggling for consistency last year to genuine title contenders, the Blues have shown resilience and improvement. Their performance against Brentford, though imperfect, highlighted their ability to grind out results in tough situations.
Across Europe, the weekend results underline the unpredictability of this season. Barcelona’s dip in form, Real Madrid’s defensive lapses, and Bayern Munich’s surprising loss all point to a more competitive landscape in domestic leagues.
Looking Ahead
Chelsea’s title hopes received a significant boost this weekend, but with Liverpool having a game in hand and Manchester City lurking, the Premier League race is far from over. Meanwhile, Europe’s other giants will look to bounce back as the season approaches its midway point.
The festive period promises more drama, but for now, Chelsea can enjoy their moment as the weekend’s biggest winners.
