Bournemouth thrashed Manchester United 3-0 in the Premier League at a chilly Old Trafford on Sunday, while Chelsea played a goalless draw with Everton at the Goodison Park.
Goals from Dean Huijsen, Justin Kluivert, and Antoine Semenyo lifted Bournemouth to fifth in the standings.
Bournemouth’s fourth league victory in five matches moved them to 28 points after 17 games, while United are 13th with 22 points and will spend Christmas in the bottom half of the table for the first time in Premier League history.
Huijsen put the visitors on the score sheet when he out-jumped Joshua Zirkzee to head home Ryan Christie’s free kick in the 29th minute.
United have been plagued by set piece issues, giving up two goals from corner kicks against Arsenal and then one to Nottingham Forest earlier this month.
While United peppered Bournemouth with shots late in the first half, including three from captain Bruno Fernandes, it was the visitors who put the game away with two goals within two minutes early in the second half.
Bournemouth scored a penalty in the 61st minute, awarded after Noussair Mazraoui brought down the Dutch winger, sending keeper Andre Onana the wrong way.
EPL: Aston Villa defeat Man City to deepen club’s woes
The delighted Bournemouth fans were still celebrating when Dango Ouattara swept a pass into Semenyo inside the box two minutes later.
Meanwhile, striker Nicolas Jackson struck the post with a close-range header as Chelsea were denied the chance to go top of the Premier League table as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Everton.
The conditions made it difficult for both teams, but they each had chances to win the game.
Jackson was also denied from point-blank range by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford as Everton kept a fifth clean sheet in six games.
Chelsea remain in second place with 35 points, one behind leaders Liverpool but having now played two games more.
Everton moved to 15th with 16 points from 16 games, four clear of the relegation zone.
Wolverhampton Wanderers kicked off the Vitor Pereira era with an impressive 3-0 victory over Leicester City in the Premier League on Sunday to snap a four-match losing streak and move a step closer to the safety zone.
- Premier League: Liverpool thrash Tottenham in 9-goal thriller - December 22, 2024
- EPL: Bournemouth thrash Man United at Old Trafford as Everton draw Chelsea - December 22, 2024
- ‘It’ll improve access to education’: Kaduna poly lauds Uba Sani on retirement age - December 22, 2024
