Sunday’s briefing: Arsenal claim Christmas number one and Mbappe matches Ronaldo

Arsenal clinched the Premier League’s Christmas number one spot with a 1-0 victory over Everton.

That was enough to keep them two points ahead of Manchester City, who eased to a 3-0 win against West Ham, while Tottenham ended their 2-1 loss to Liverpool with nine men.

In Spain, Kylian Mbappe equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of goals in a calendar year for Real Madrid.

Gunners on top

Long-time Premier League leaders Arsenal passed the first real test of their title credentials after briefly being overtaken by City – but they were indebted to a moment of madness from Everton’s Jake O’Brien.

Viktor Gyokeres’ first-half penalty – his first goal in six games – was enough to restore the Gunners’ narrow advantage at the top of the table.

Everton shot themselves in the foot in the 27th minute when O’Brien, having seconds earlier escaped conceding a penalty, inexplicably batted away a corner with both arms stretched high above his head.

It is the third time in four years Arsenal have been top at Christmas, and boss Mikel Arteta is hopeful this time they can go on to lift the trophy.

“It gives me belief and confidence: the level of performance and the consistency of that,” he said. “It is very difficult to do in this league so it means the team is consistently there.”

Haaland at the double

Erling Haaland scored two goals and made another as Manchester City underlined their growing title credentials with a comfortable 3-0 victory over West Ham.

The prolific Norwegian was on target after just five minutes of a one-sided encounter at the Etihad Stadium, before teeing up Tijjani Reijnders and adding another in the second half.

Haaland was inches away from completing a hat-trick in stoppage time but City had long since clinched a fifth straight league victory.

Despite the scoreline, boss Pep Guardiola demanded improvement from his side afterwards, saying: “I’m happy, I cannot deny that – we are fourth in the Champions League and in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, but the way we
played with the ball we have to improve.

“Otherwise, it will not be enough to arrive in March and April to be contenders to win titles.”

Frank fumes at referee

Thomas Frank blasted the performance of referee John Brooks after Tottenham’s nine men suffered another home defeat.

The score barely told half the story of a bonkers Premier League encounter
where Xavi Simons and Cristian Romero were sent off for Spurs.

Xavi was dismissed in the 33rd minute for raking his studs down Virgil van Dijk’s Achilles, and Liverpool looked to be fully in control when Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike put them two up.

There was chaos in the Reds’ defensive ranks after Richarlison pulled one back, which was followed by another red card for Romero after he kicked out at Ibrahima Konate.

Under-pressure Frank said of the Xavi dismissal: “I don’t like this as a red card. I think the game is probably too big to say gone, but for me it’s not reckless and it’s not exceptional force.

“I think the second goal is a mistake from the referee. I think there are two hands in the back. I don’t understand how you can do that.”

Special birthday gift for Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 59 goals in a year for Real Madrid as Xabi Alonso’s side claimed a morale-boosting 2-0 win over Sevilla.

Birthday boy Mbappe had to wait until the final five minutes for his opportunity from the penalty spot but made no mistake to match Ronaldo’s achievement from 2013.

The 27-year-old marked the moment by performing his idol’s trademark celebration and blowing a kiss.

Jude Bellingham had earlier given Real the lead to help lift a little of the pressure on the shoulders of boss Xabi Alonso and move Los Galacticos, temporarily at least, to within a point of Barcelona at the top of LaLiga.

What’s on today?

Aston Villa will bid to make it 10 victories in a row in all competitions when they host Manchester United at Villa Park.

In the Scottish Premiership, there are big games for Rangers, who take on leaders Hearts, and Celtic, who meet Aberdeen.

All four of the Women’s League Cup quarter-finals take place, while Morocco meet Comoros in the opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations.