GYÖKERES KEEPS US ON TOP AT CHRISTMAS
A single, ice-cold penalty from Viktor Gyökeres was all it took on our first visit to Everton's shiny new Hill Dickinson Stadium — and that was more than enough to put us back where we belong: top of the Premier League on Christmas Day.
The Swede did what top strikers do. Step up. Ignore the noise. Smash it home. On 26 minutes, after Jake O'Brien decided volleyball was an acceptable defensive technique at a corner, Gyökeres buried his spot-kick past Jordan Pickford for his seventh goal in red and white.
It wasn't pretty. It wasn't free-flowing. But it was controlled, mature, and exactly the kind of away win champions grind out while everyone else is busy slipping on the tinsel.
SPOT-KICK, NO DRAMA
This was unfamiliar territory in more ways than one. New stadium. New surroundings. And — briefly — a new league table, with Manchester City nudging above us earlier in the day.
That didn't last long.
After a cagey opening, we began to impose ourselves. Martin Zubimendi fired over after a loose clearance, Gyökeres glanced a header wide, and then came the first VAR eyebrow-raiser when the Swede was bundled under a cross — waved away.
One minute later, VAR was interested. A corner brushed Riccardo Calafiori, before O'Brien inexplicably shoved the ball away with both hands. After a lengthy delay, justice arrived in the form of Gyökeres from 12 yards. No stutter. No fuss. Roof of the net.
Beyond that moment, the half drifted. We kept the ball, Everton kept their shape, and chances were scarce. Declan Rice scuffed one over, while James Tarkowski's last-ditch slide denied Gyökeres after a clever William Saliba pass.
WOODWORK WARS
The second half brought a reminder that 1–0 away from home is never comfortable.
Everton threatened in flashes — Thierno Barry briefly broke clear before Zubimendi raced back, and VAR again hovered when Saliba wrestled for possession in the box. No penalty. Deep breaths.
Then came the moments that should have killed the game.
First, a slick move involving Jurrien Timber, Martin Ødegaard and Rice ended with Leandro Trossard curling an effort beyond Pickford — only for the post to intervene. Four minutes later, the same upright denied Zubimendi after neat work from Bukayo Saka and Ødegaard.
Two posts. One goal. Zero mercy.
After recent stoppage-time chaos, the final six minutes passed mercifully quietly. David Raya was barely troubled, the defence stood firm, and Mikel Arteta marked six years in charge with the ultimate gift: another three points and top spot wrapped up with a bow.
Not fireworks. Not chaos. Just control.
WHAT'S NEXT
No rest for the festive faithful. We're back at Emirates Stadium on Tuesday for a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace, before hosting Brighton & Hove Albion on December 27.
2025 ends at home too, with Aston Villa visiting on December 30.
Top at Christmas. Still standing. Still grinding.
The Loose Cannon approves. 🎄🔴⚪
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