As we wait for Monday's meeting between Everton and Liverpool, we take a look back at what happened elsewhere in the English top flight this weekend.
Manchester City reinvigorated?
Manchester City overcame a fifth-minute sucker punch against Arsenal in the marquee match of the weekend, Pep Guardiola's side relegating Theo Walcott's early opener to little more than a footnote with a second-half comeback courtesy of goals from Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling.
Related: Sterling sinks Arsenal to reignite Manchester City
Guardiola has been heavily criticised for his tactical and personnel choices this season, but maligned contributors Yaya Toure and Fernando were immense at the Etihad. The home side pegged Arsenal back for extended stretches and was fully deserving of the three points.
MCFC looked different today, and Guardiola just explained why. Two-and-a-half hours a day devoted purely to winning second balls in training
— Daniel Taylor (@DTguardian) December 18, 2016
There were hints of offside about both City goals, but with Kevin De Bruyne once again dictating play from a variety of positions - another wrinkle of the Guardiola approach - it was hard to argue that Arsenal, now having lost consecutive matches in which it was ahead, deserved to take anything from the one-sided contest.
After looking entirely susceptible at the back in the early exchanges, the Citizens turned things around and put their foot on the Gunners' throats - especially in the second stanza - to claw themselves back into the title race, if only just.
Arsenal, meanwhile, now sits nine points adrift of table-topper Chelsea.
Depleted Foxes bite back
Ten-man Leicester City's spirited two-goal fightback at Stoke City on Saturday will certainly boost confidence, but Jamie Vardy's suspension (unless Claudio Ranieri is successful with an appeal) and the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations will leave the Italian manager short-handed.
Related: Vardy off but Leicester rallies to draw in Stoke
No less than five Foxes link up with their respective countries at the international showpiece in Gabon, including Algerian duo Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani, as well as Ghanaian Daniel Amartey, scorer of the late equaliser in the 2-2 draw.
Versatile teenager Wilfred Ndidi's arrival from Genk is imminent, but otherwise Ranieri appears to be set to instill trust in those less frequently fielded, such as the talented Demarai Gray and midfield stalwart Andy King.
Mark Hughes, meanwhile, is the Ebenezer Scrooge of the Potteries, according to The Sun's Fred Nathan, after he's called in his Stoke players for training on Christmas Day. Even Scrooge granted Bob Cratchit Dec. 25 off work.
Timeless Zlatan
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's brace in the 2-0 dismissal of West Bromwich Albion made it 10 goals in his last nine competitive outings, and overall, he's scored 46 percent of Manchester United's Premier League goals.
Jose Mourinho was asked if he was concerned that United was over-reliant on the veteran Swede - prompting a curt "No, I don't care" in response. He went on to commend the effervescent qualities of his summer freebie.
"I keep saying that, for me, it is not his body - it is more up here (in the head)," Mourinho told ESPN FC's Arindam Rej.
"It is a pleasure to see him play, his happiness. It's fantastic for a 35-year-old guy."
Ibrahimovic, the gradual improvement of Paul Pogba, and the excellent midfield displays of Ander Herrera and Michael Carrick have made United resemble a team capable of easily finishing in the Champions League qualification places.
After the initial stuttering start, Mourinho appears to know his best team.
Around the grounds
Bob Bradley's predicament at Swansea City is bad enough without being called out for his American lingo. The hollow-cheeked gaffer assessed his 19th-place side's 3-0 defeat at Middlesbrough using terms generally coined across the pond, and instead of pundits focusing on the Swans' unequivocal ineptitude, the American's vocabulary is now under the spotlight.
Still, at least the Swans are on course to get an early pick in the draft. Oh ...
Bob Bradley's use of PK & "road games" on @BBCMOTD sparking reaction. Nationality & native football terminology often used against American
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) December 17, 2016
For those curious whether West Ham United deserved to see off Hull City by a 1-0 scoreline, a supporters' vote named the woodwork as the Irons' man of the match. Andrew Robertson cracked the post twice and Dieumerci Mbokani was thwarted by it once in a performance by Mike Phelan's side that showed its battling qualities, but offered little to suggest it can finish any better than 18th this season.
Elsewhere:
- Bournemouth 1-3 Southampton
- Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea
- Middlesbrough 3-0 Swansea City
- Sunderland 1-0 Watford
- Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Burnley
Monday: Everton vs. Liverpool
A system influenced by totaalvoetbal, or one that staunchly adheres to the gegenpressing ideals? Two philosophies forged in mainland Europe meet in the latest installment of the Merseyside derby, as Everton's Dutch handler Ronald Koeman plays host to Liverpool's restless German gaffer Jurgen Klopp. The Toffees will look to avenge last April's embarrassing 4-0 loss to their local rival, a result which led to Roberto Martinez's dismissal a month later.
