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Stuart Dallas left an indelible impression on his 250^th appearance for Leeds United, conjuring a wonderful goal to lift Marcelo Bielsa’s reinvigorated side out of their recent funk.

Dallas swept a marvellous strike past Wayne Hennessey when it looked like Leeds’ first-half dominance was going to be frittered away. Having dictated the contest either side of Jack Harrison’s opener, the home side were pegged back by Maxwel Cornet’s superb free-kick.

It would have been rough justice on a re-energised Leeds if they hadn’t collected all three points. After a Christmas in which they looked physically and emotionally shattered, they roared back into life at a raucous Elland Road in this entertaining Battle of the Roses.

Burnley, though, are in real trouble at the bottom and Sean Dyche will be fuming that his side created so many of their own problems. It said much that the normally reliable James Tarkowski surrendered the ball for Harrison’s opener.

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Cornet’s goal was the highlight but Dan James’ late header consigned them to a deserved defeat.

Leeds player ratings

Illan Meslier – 6

The quieter of the two goalkeepers but alert enough to parry Chris Wood’s first half effort after long spells of inaction. Left scrambling to reach Maxwel Cornet’s free-kick.

Luke Ayling – 6

Relished the battle against former Leeds striker Chris Wood although his forward impact was limited in a second half in which Burnley began to assert themselves on the contest a bit more.

Robin Koch – 7

Leeds will be grateful that the German is back to the levels he showed in his first season in the Premier League. Did not look overly concerned with anything Burnley had to throw at him.

Deigo Llorente – 6

After a first half walk in the park against the ineffective Johann Gudmundsson he found it harder to deal with half-time substitute Maxwel Cornet, whose introduction gave Leeds more headaches at the back.

Junior Firpo – 7

Further signs here that after a rocky start to life in the Premier League he is starting to justify the faith Marcelo Bielsa has in him. Backheeled first half effort illustrated real vision and he offered a great outlet.

Stuart Dallas – 8

250 games down for Leeds United and most have been played at this level of consistency. Offered real industry and made the game’s telling contribution. His goal was a simply exquisite finish.

Adam Forshaw – 6

Leeds needed grit as well as guile to cope with opponents who offer a physical examination and Forshaw supplied it. Looked much closer to normal levels than in recent weeks.

Mateusz Klich – 7

Influence grew on the contest as Leeds’ grip on it was tested, which says plenty about the relish with which he approached his task. Stood up when required for Marcelo Bielsa’s side.

Raphinha – 6

Leeds’ creative force and best player displayed a sense of ingenuity that put him above anyone else on the pitch but nagging feeling is the threat wasn’t sustained enough against Burnley.

Jack Harrison – 7

At the heart of everything Leeds did well going forward. His pressure told for the first goal and it was typical of his speed of thought on a day he impressed.

Tyler Roberts – 5

Supplied plenty of energy but lacked conviction in the penalty area – not least when he wasted a fine chance when he craned to meet Luke Ayling’s cross.

Substitutes

Daniel James (on for Harrison, 62) – 7

What Leeds needed when he was introduced. Had the pace to stretch the game and pull Burnley out of their well-drilled shape and finished the contest in injury time.

Joe Gelhardt (on for Roberts, 58) – 6

One to watch for 2022, the ovation when he entered the fray told you much about how much excitement he’s generating in these parts. Busy cameo.

Burnley (4-4-2)

Hennessey 7; Lowton 6, Tarkowski 5, Mee 6, Taylor 6; McNeil 6, Westwood 5, Cork 6, Gudmundsson 5 (Cornet, 45, 7); Wood 5 (Vydra 84), Lennon 6.

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GOODISON PARK — Two superbly-taken goals by Alexis Mac Allister secured Brighton‘s first ever win at Goodison Park and increased Everton‘s worries.

The victory completed a great week for the Seagulls after their win over Brentford and draw at Chelsea, and moved Graham Potter’s team up to eighth in the Premier League table.

But ring-rusty Everton – who hadn’t played since December 16 after three successive postponements – start the New Year looking anxiously over their shoulders in 15th place as their dismal run stretched to just six points from the last 36..

Youngster Anthony Gordon twice put Rafa Benitez’s side back in the game in a much-improved second half display but the damage had been done in the first period and Brighton held on for all three points.

The Seagulls were 2-0 up after only 21 minutes. The first came from a well-constructed move after only three minutes. Mac Allister swept the ball out to Joel Veltman then continued his run into the box to produce a first time finish from 10 yards after Neal Maupay had headed down Veltman’s first time cross.

There were more question marks raised about Everton’s defending when the unmarked Dan Burn added the second with a simple far post header after Enock Mwpeu had flicked on a corner.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin squandered a great chance to put the home side back in the game when his penalty clipped the top of the bar after referee John Brooks, advised to check the pitch-side monitor by VAR, judged Mwepu had bundled over Anthony Gordon.

After being out since the 2-0 win at Brighton in late August, it raised question marks whether the match-rusty Calvert-Lewin should have taken the spot kick.

Brighton could have been further ahead by the break but Jordan Pickford tipped round a shot from Adam Lallana while Maupay lifted his shot just too high after bursting through.

Everton went off to a chorus of boos at the break but upped the tempo in the second half and pulled a goal back after 52 minutes when the lively Gordon saw his left foot shot deflected past the wrong-footed Robert Sanchez after flicking off Lallana’s outstretched boot.

Everton pressed for the equaliser with Demarai Gray and Allan denied by Sanchez saves.

But they were stunned when Mac Allister restored Brighton’s two-goal lead with a stunning strike after 71 minutes. He fired a first time shot into the top corner after Mwepu had flicked Leandro Trossard’s cross into his path.

Gordon raised Everton’s hopes again with a first time finish from Jone Kenny’s low cross but Brighton were good value for their victory – the first time they have scored more than three goals this season.

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Brentford 2-1 Aston Villa (Ings ’16, Wissa ’42, Roerslev ’83)

Mads Roerslev’s late strike saw Brentford come from behind to beat Aston Villa after a second-half fight back.

A moment of brilliance from Emiliano Buendia and Danny Ings had put the visitors in control, the striker scoring just his fourth goal since his summer arrival from Southampton thanks to the Argentine’s clever turn to beat Christian Norgaard.

That was just reward for Villa’s dominance, but Yoane Wissa’s equalised shortly before the break with a spectacular effort from the edge of the box, taking a deft touch onto his left foot and finishing – Brentford’s first goal from outside the area in the Premier League, in fact.

It was Roerslev – playing as a wing-back – who proved the difference, however, as he raced into the box and forced Emiliano Martinez into a block before scoring on the rebound.

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Villa had Steven Gerrard back in the dugout with the manager having ended his isolation period after testing positive for Covid-19. There was still a notable absentee, though, in Tyrone Mings, with the defence lacking his organisation.

Brentford were arguably fortunate to still be in it by the time of Wissa’s equaliser, but Gerrard will be alarmed by how easily his side were exposed down the flanks in the run-up to both goals.

Villa slip down to 13th in the Premier League table, with Brentford moving up to 12th.

Aston Villa ratings

Martinez – 7 Had little to do in the first half but made a decent save in the build-up to Brentford’s winner. Also made a subtle touch to deny Frank Onyeka.

Cash – 6 Given a tough time by Sergi Canos before his substitution

Konsa – 7 Did well to keep Toney and Wissa at bay for large spells in the first half

Hause – 5 Could have landed Martinez in trouble with a back pass that summed up Villa’s afternoon. Questionable positioning throughout.

Targett – 5 Consistently beaten on the wing and left Martinez exposed, before being dragged wide for the second goal.

McGinn – 7 Unable to influence the result but was one of Villa’s more imaginative threats.

Luiz – 6 Struggled with his positioning but competent enough in midfield.

Ramsey – 6 Did well to disarm Ivan Toney on a couple of occasions.

Traore – 5 A few impressive moments with his link-up play but didn’t create enough and some terribly misplaced passes.

Ings – 8 A clever touch and finish in the bottom corner for the goal and could have had another late on .

Buendia – 8 A moment of magic for the assist, creating the space and executing the through ball to perfection. What looked like a dislocated arm will be a big worry.

Substitutes:

Sanson – 5 Did little to change the game after his introduction. Still struggling.

Trezeguet – 4 A ludicrous attempt at simulation inside the box his only notable contribution.

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Brentford ratings

• Fernandez – 7
• Pinnock – 6
• Jansson – 6
• Sorensen – 6
• Roerslev – 8
• Onyeka – 6
• Norgaard – 5
• Jensen – 7
• Canos – 7
• Wissa – 8
• Toney – 6

Substitutes:

• Ghoddos – 4
• Baptiste – 6
• Janelt – 6

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Jurgen Klopp is the latest Premier League manager to be absent from the dugout due to a suspected positive test for Covid-19.

The Liverpool boss is isolating with mild symptoms and will miss his side’s trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. That comes after Mikel Arteta missed Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on New Year’s Day for the same reason.

In Klopp’s place, assistant Pep Ljinders will take charge of a game which could effectively decide who challenges Manchester City for the title, with the leaders already 11 points clear of Chelsea, and 12 of Liverpool.

“Testing of the entire first-team set-up has revealed no further positive cases within the playing squad in addition to the three confirmed by Klopp on Friday,” a Liverpool statement said. “Three backroom staff members have returned suspected positive results, however.”

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Ljinders has become an increasingly familiar face this season having stepped in to fulfil media duties on more than one occasion in the Carabao Cup, undertaking the press conference for the recent quarter-final victory over Leicester City.

The Dutchman first joined the club in 2014 during Brendan Rodgers’ reign but left in January 2018 when he was appointed head coach at NEC Nijmegen. He was sacked five months later and subsequently returned to Anfield.

There have since been reports that Ljinders, credited with improving academy products such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, is among the candidates to succeed Klopp at the end of his contract in 2024 – though his own deal will expire at the same time.

Aside from the manager himself, there are few who know the current squad as well as Ljinders and while he may be in communication with his boss via telephone, he will be hoping for as little disruption as possible to the usual matchday routine.

In the past, Klopp also delegated duties to former U23 coach Neil Critchley (who became Blackpool manager in March 2020). Critchley took charge of an FA Cup replay against Shrewsbury and a League Cup quarter-final tie against Aston Villa amid the club’s complaints about fixture congestion.

This time, Klopp’s absence is enforced, but he will not be the only big name missing the game. Romelu Lukaku was dropped from the Chelsea squad following an interview in which he said he was unhappy with Thomas Tuchel’s tactics and hinted at a return to Inter Milan.

Liverpool will also be missing three first-team players due to Covid. “I’m not able to say who, but it will be pretty clear on the teamsheet the day after tomorrow,” Klopp said.

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Ralf Rangnick has told Edinson Cavani he will not be allowed to leave Manchester United in the January transfer window.

The veteran Uruguay striker has been tipped to leave Old Trafford, with Barcelona among a number of European clubs said to have an interest in him.

Cavani’s leisurely departure from the field following Thursday’s 3-1 win over Burnley led to speculation that he had played his last game for the club – a notion that Rangnick rejected out of hand.

“We had quite a few conversations the last couple of weeks,” said Rangnick. “He’s probably the player with whom I’ve spoken the most. I told him the very first day, for me he is a highly important player.

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“He’s probably the only one who can play with his back to goal and facing the goal.

“And his professionalism, his work ethic is just amazing. I told him I desperately want him to stay until the end of the season.

“He knows that. He also knows how highly I rate him, how highly I respect him. That’s also the reason I played him against Burnley from the start with Cristiano [Ronaldo].”

Cavani’s future has possibly been influenced by the fact that United striker Anthony Martial has asked to leave the club this month with Rangnick appearing far more open to that possibility.

But despite the interim manager having claimed United had a large squad when he took over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he is no longer keen to trim it this month due to the Covid-19 crisis.

Cavani saying his goodbyes? ????pic.twitter.com/d0y79bH89b

— The United Stand (@UnitedStandMUFC) December 30, 2021

“It depends,” said Rangnick. “I know from some players they would want to leave but we spoke about Edinson and he knows I definitely would not let him go.

“For me, he is a highly important player for the rest of the season and we will definitely need him. I would rather have another Edi on top of that! For me, it is clear he will stay.

“Maybe the squad is a little too big with regard to numbers. But we still have COVID, we are still in three competitions so we could do with a bigger squad than in times without COVID.

“Anthony made it very clear he wants to leave and, in a way, I can understand his wish to leave and try and play more regularly.

“But again, it’s not a question of what he wants to do. It’s a question of what interest there is in him and the demands of this club. He’s not injured currently but I decided to go with those players currently in the squad (against Burnley).”

Another reason for Rangnick’s insistence that Cavani remains in his squad lies in the over-reliance currently being placed on 36-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo in attack.

The United manager has no qualms about selecting the veteran for a third game in eight days at home to Burnley on Monday but acknowledges the need to have Cavani as cover should the Portuguese need a rest at some stage.

“I don’t see any reason why he shouldn’t be able to play another game,” said Rangnick.

“Physically, he seems to be fit. He’s doing everything. He’s a top professional who looks after himself, his body, eats the right things. At the age of 36, I’ve never seen a player of his age – maybe [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic was a bit older, but he’s a different kind of player.

“I don’t see why he wouldn’t be able to play three games in eight days but if, at one stage, I need to rest him, it’s not a problem. Then it was even more important to have Edinson in the squad.”

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Arsenal produced arguably their best performance of the season on Saturday, while Manchester City produced arguably their worst. So naturally, it was City who took all three points at the Emirates.

The story of Arsenal’s season has been beating teams they are expected to beat but coming unstuck when matched with the Premier League‘s elite sides. Only three of Arsenal’s 11 league victories this campaign have come against those currently situated in the top half of the table: Tottenham (5th), West Ham (6th) and Leicester (9th).

Conversely, five of their seven losses have come against so-called Big Six rivals: Manchester City (twice), Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United. The other defeats occurred against Brentford, when the squad was hit by a Covid outbreak, and Everton, when the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saga was just beginning to unravel.

Those Big Six defeats were difficult to stomach for Arsenal fans: Mikel Arteta’s side were thoroughly outclassed by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, City at the Etihad and Liverpool at Anfield, and then shot themselves in the foot when losing to United at Old Trafford. This time was different though: frustration and apathy were replaced by righteous indignation and a rare sense of pride. Referee Stuart Atwell and by extension his VAR official Jarred Gillett were the subjects of Arsenal’s fans ire, not the absent Arteta (due to Covid) or his players. That in itself is proof of progress at a club that once booed off their own captain.

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Opinion will be split on whether the officials got the major decisions right, depending on whether they are viewed through the prism of fandom or not. Arsenal had an early penalty shout waved away when Ederson got a touch to the ball but appeared to clump Martin Odegaard in the process and were later punished in their own penalty box when Granit Xhaka tugged at Bernardo Silva’s shirt. Both incidents went to VAR, but only one was given. Those of an Arsenal persuasion will argue that if one was awarded, the other one should have been too.

There was also a sense of injustice over Gabriel Magalhaes’ first yellow card which initially appeared to be for scuffing up the penalty spot before Riyad Mahrez was about to take it, but i understands it was in fact given for dissent. Albert Stuivenberg, the Dutch assistant playing the role of Arteta for the day, was adamant that no “dirty language” had escaped the Brazilian’s lips. Even if Gabriel had been unfortunate to go into the book, his second yellow for a reckless barge on Gabriel Jesus by the halfway line, which arrived just 68 seconds after the first, was completely avoidable.

Arsenal fans may disagree, but the game changed around two individual mistakes: Xhaka’s foul on Silva and Gabriel’s second booking. It could be argued that Gabriel Martinelli’s gilt-edged miss, sandwiched between those two instances in a remarkable 118 seconds of play, also fit that criteria: in the form that the 20-year-old is in, it was mystifying that he fired his shot outside, rather than inside the post as the goal yawned in front of him.

And in that sense, this result typified a club that has routinely snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the years since their Premier League glory days. If the result was typical of “banter era” Arsenal, the overall performance was anything but. Unusually for a loss, there wouldn’t have been much for the Arsenal Fan TV crew to get upset about. Up until that frantic few minutes, Arsenal had comfortably been the better team.

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They were brave on the ball and relentless off it: Martin Odegaard’s through passes were weighted to perfection; Bukayo Saka and Martinelli ran Nathan Ake and Joao Cancelo ragged on the flanks; Thomas Partey, who delivered his most assured performance in an Arsenal shirt made four tackles in the opening 24 minutes. They played with a speed and intensity that City simply could not match. Guardiola gesticulated frantically at his players for the entirety of the opening half an hour, like an exasperated parent trying to spring their kids into action on a school day.

Afterwards, he blamed the rigours of the fixture schedule, injuries and Covid absences for City’s lack of energy – and admitted Arsenal were the better side too.

But as good as the Gunners were, they failed to capitalise on Saka’s brilliantly well-taken opener. City were on the ropes and while Arsenal hit them with a couple of painful jabs, it was ultimately the visitors who landed the knockout blow. Experience won out over exuberance.

Arsenal, who have the youngest team in the Premier League, have plenty of reason for optimism, but until they pick up a statement victory they will continue to peer enviously at the big boys ahead of them. This was a golden opportunity wasted.

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West Ham closed the gap on Arsenal and the Champions League places to just a point as they eased past Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Last-gasp defeat for fourth-placed Arsenal earlier in the day had left the door open for the Hammers to make up ground on Mikel Arteta’s side, and Manuel Lanzini’s penalty in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time all but killing off Palace’s challenge.

They had started brightly, Jeffrey Schlupp hitting the post in the very first minute, but the visitors soon got into their stride and took the chances that Palace did not.

Vicente Guaita denied Michail Antonio from close range inside 10 minutes, he could not do so a second time after Said Benrahma’s perfectly bent delivery.

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Lanzini added West Ham’s second just three minutes later, seizing on a bouncing ball 12 yards out to fire the ball home and by the time Luka Milivojevic was adjudged by the VAR to have handled just inside the box, the game was well beyond them and Lanzini had a second from the spot.

Odsonne Edouard should have pulled one back before the break but could only hit the crossbar from 10 yards when the ball was pulled back to him.

Palace did eventually create a ray of hope, Edouard connecting with a Michael Olise cross in the 83rd minute, but it was far too little, too late – even when substitute Olise’s whipped free-kick then went all the way into the back of the net in the first minute of stoppage time.

West Ham player ratings

Lukas Fabianski – 7

Twice denied Benteke in the first half, once with his feet, once with his hands. Wasn’t often otherwise worked as Palace’s finishing left something to be desired.

Vladimir Coufal – 6.5

Fine first-time cross almost created opening goal for Antonio but did not see much of the ball as both sides

Craig Dawson – 7

Stood up to the predictable aerial assault and Benteke’s physicality well, but was let down by his central partner.

Issa Diop – 5

Was almost caught out in the first half as Palace started fast, then let Edouard get away from him far too easily to see his clean sheet bonus slip away and gave away a foul that cost his side a second goal in stoppage time.

Ben Johnson – 6.5

Caught out early on by the lively Schlupp who hit the post in the first minute when he probably should have scored, but got forward well. Got himself booked when caught in possession around halfway and was replaced at half-time with the Hammers well on top.

Declan Rice – 6.5

Incisive run opened up Palace midfield for second goal but did lose sight of Edouard when he made a late run into the box and hit the bar. His 150th Premier League appearance was not his best, but not his worst.

Tomas Soucek – 7

Crucial intervention just before half-time, pouncing on a loose ball as Benteke was preparing to lash it goalwards.

Jarrod Bowen – 6

Quiet game going forward as West Ham found much more virtue in attacking down the left-hand side. Will have better days.

Manuel Lanzini – 7.5

Wonderful skill to find snapshot on the volley 12 yards out to give West Ham a two-goal lead and then converted from the penalty spot

Said Benrahma – 7

Almost opened the scoring with a header and then an outstanding bending ball set up first goal. Faded a little and was replaced after 71 minutes.

Michail Antonio – 8

Forced a super save from Guaita in the 14th minute but eight minutes later could not be denied from close range. Might have had another, a regular threat. Becoming a really complete No 9.

Substitutes

Arthur Masuaku – 6

Was given a working over by Jordan Ayew who got in behind him once but recovered from shaky start to get a handle on the Palace forward. Was then up against Olise and reminded Hammers fans why they are so uncomfortable with him playing in a back four.

Nikola Vlasic – 5

Sloppily stood off Olise whose cross found Edouard and gave Palace a way back into the game. Would have been bad if he had played 82 minutes, given he was fresh legs it was extremely poor.

Mark Noble – n/a

Lanzini’s goal was pure joy

Sky Sports pundit Karen Carney

“The volley is just exceptional and I think it’s one of them where it’s like five a side football, and it just kind of comes to you – and it’s joy.

“He’s confident and he has just gone for it. It was a brilliant goal really from one end right to the other – and what West Ham have been is really, really clinical and ruthless.”

Vieira: We were naive, they were not

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira cited the experience of the West Ham line-up as the reason his side were unable to convert more of their chances.

Palace outperformed their opponents on shots and expected goals (xG) but ended up with nothing to show for it, leaving Vieira to concede that “playing well is not good enough to win football matches”.

He added: “I’m really disappointed because I think today we were the better team. But the difference between the two sides is they’ve been building the team for a couple of years now and that is a mature team.

“So the experience of this team allowed them to win the game today. And at times, we were a little bit naive. We created chances where we were unlucky as well, because I think we had the best first chances in the game and we hit the post.

“We have to learn from those games, we have to improve.”

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