15 things we loved this weekend: Son, Xhaka, Balotelli, Ronaldinho
Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham men all caught our eye on an action-packed Boxing Day in the Premier League.
Elsewhere, Ronaldinho took part in a game of beach football in Brazil and Mario Balotelli delivered a reminder of his abilities with a brilliant goal for Adana Demirspor.
We’ve rounded up the best of the action on and off the pitch.
Man City v Leciester
We were treated to a Premier League classic on Boxing Day.
9 – Man City v Leicester is the first ever @premierleague game on Boxing Day to see as many as nine goals, and the highest scoring match in the top-flight overall on Boxing Day since Oldham 3-6 Man Utd in 1991. Feast.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 26, 2021
Ronaldinho
The former Barcelona star has still got it.
James Milner
Boring Milner strikes again.
Four new coasters and some anti-wrinkle eye cream…Christmases don’t come much better. Happy Christmas everyone 😊#santaknowsmesowell#heavyshloersession pic.twitter.com/P4CJ1pmSvQ
— James Milner (@JamesMilner) December 25, 2021
Granit Xhaka
The last player we’d expect to see this from.
THEY TOLD ME GRANIT XHAKA HAS NO SAUCE?!!!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/E1KAZjtiyE
— Røgèrs Nàtümåñya. (@rogersnatumanya) December 26, 2021
Bukayo Saka
It’s easy to forget just how young the Arsenal forward is.
At 20 years and 112 days, Bukayo Saka is the second youngest player to score 10+ #PL goals for @Arsenal, after Nicolas Anelka (19y 225d)#NORARS pic.twitter.com/jfvoTBE9JE
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 27, 2021
Konstantinos Tsimikas
The ‘Greek Scouser’ is becoming a cult hero at Liverpool.
Zoom in on the book 🤣 pic.twitter.com/L1Mnjq2DBV
— The Anfield Talk (@TheAnfieldTalk) December 25, 2021
Virgil van Dijk
Liverpool should play Van Dijk up front when Roberto Firmino is unavailable.
Back on track! Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas ❤️ pic.twitter.com/4NUkDVruvG
— Virgil van Dijk (@VirgilvDijk) December 24, 2021
Son Heung-min
Our favourite goal celebration of 2021.
📸 Spider Son 🕷 pic.twitter.com/Pci8Z3BgRa
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 26, 2021
Harry Kane
Turkey clearly helps bring the best out of Kane.
Most Premier League goals scored on Boxing Day:
◎ 9 – Robbie Fowler
◉ 9 – Harry Kane
◎ 8 – Alan Shearer
◎ 8 – Robbie KeanePost-Turkey wonders. 🦃 pic.twitter.com/UMbZO3oSx6
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 26, 2021
Charlie Webster
It’s easy to see why Webster is so highly rated at Chelsea.
Charlie Webster scoring a screamer in training! 🔥 #CFC | 🎥 – Chelsea TV pic.twitter.com/pobrBFREYU
— The Chelsea Spot (@TheChelseaSpot) December 24, 2021
Jorginho
Jorginho’s penalty technique continues to work wonders for Chelsea.
Jorginho is the first player in Premier League history to score 10 penalties in a single calendar year.
Hop. Skip. Jump. Goal. Repeat. pic.twitter.com/Wn6BSG7pWg
— Squawka (@Squawka) December 26, 2021
Mario Balotelli
The former Man City and Liverpool striker had a very eventful week.
Gol de hoje do Mario Balotelli no empate do 'seu' Adana Demirspor contra o Göztepe.
Super Mario tem 7 gols em 18 partidas na temporada do Turcão
— Rafael (@RafaeIFA) December 27, 2021
Greg Stewart
You won’t see many free-kicks better than this one.
Did we just witness the Goal of the season from Greg Stewart? 🔥👀#KBFCJFC #HeroISL #LetsFootball @JamshedpurFC pic.twitter.com/qKGAWLfGN9
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) December 26, 2021
Dave Mackay
We’re gutted that the 40-year-old didn’t come off the bench.
The club have registered Assistant Manager Dave Mackay as a player.
Dave will be on the bench this afternoon #thedee pic.twitter.com/9kmGA9Kk9n
— Dundee Football Club (@DundeeFC) December 26, 2021
Ziyad Al Sahafi
Wait for it…
🥲 An unfortunate own goal from Ziyad Al Sahafi lands @ittihad_en in hot water ❕
Will they bounce back or will @Ettifaq_EN take full advantage of the situation ❔#SPL | #OurLeaguepic.twitter.com/To8QXUCjTs
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) December 26, 2021
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