Man Utd retain top location after Liverpool draw, Man City up to second
Manchester United held onto major spot in the Premier League after Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker forced them to stay for a 0-0 draw, while Manchester City powered into second place with a 4-0 rout of Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side had the better probabilities on a strangely subdued clash between several of English football's bitterest rivals.
Alisson saved good from Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba found in the next half, but neither aspect deserved to win.
United are several points free from second placed Manchester City, who have a game at hand, and third located Leicester.
Champions Liverpool certainly are a further stage back in fourth.
United are top following the New Year for the first time since Alex Ferguson's pension in 2013 because of nine wins in a 12-match unbeaten run.
Leaving Anfield unscathed is certainly a solid result as they chase an initial title in eight years, but United might feel it was a missed possibility to pile pressure in injury-hit Liverpool granted their recent struggles.
"It's only an excellent result if we win another game. It was an opportunity missed with the probabilities we had but again we were participating in an excellent side," Solskjaer said.
"I think that we grew in the game and toward the finish it was there for us to gain. We created two massive chances and it had been two brilliant helps you to save by the keeper."
It is the first-time both of these old foes have already been involved with a title race jointly since 2009.
But there was little look and feel of a seismic face as both teams generally used the handbrake on at a clear and silent Anfield.
Liverpool are well brief of the dynamic contact form that carried them to the subject last season and the Champions Little league in 2019.
Jurgen Klopp's team have finally gone four league game titles with out a win and are actually without a goal within their last three top-flight suits.
"There is no easy description. We always missed possibilities, even in the game titles we received, we just had another one which we employed," Klopp said.
"We had to be very good to have a point. I think we were sufficient to get three things but we didn't score."
- Slick City -
The pull at Anfield was an ideal result for City, who took gain at the Etihad Stadium with their 5th successive league victory.
Pep Guardiola's workforce scored in the 26th minute when Kevin De Bruyne's majestic cross with the outside of his foot chosen John Stones and the defender headed his initial Premier League aim for City.
City, unbeaten within their last 15 game titles in all competitions, doubled their lead 11 minutes in to the second 50 % when Ilkay Gundogan curled in to the top corner.
Stones struck again found in the 68th minute, blasting residence after Ruben Dias' header was first saved, and Raheem Sterling managed to get four with an 88th minute free-kick.
"We were so secure. It's an important success," Guardiola said. "We make an effort to play the same way we have in the last few seasons and in the back four we don't help to make mistakes. This past year was the worst.
"If there is one participant I'm more than pleased that everything is certainly going very well, it's John Stones. He deserves it."
Tanguy Ndombele's stunning strike sealed Tottenham's 3-1 gain at Sheffield United.
Jose Mourinho's area took an early lead through a rare target from Ivory Coast defender Serge Aurier.
Harry Kane's 19th goal of the growing season increased Tottenham's edge before half-time.
David McGoldrick got a single back for bottom of the desk United in the next half, but Ndombele's sublime lob, flicked over his shoulder from an acute position, wrapped up the points.
Ndombele's fine web form is a stark contrast to his struggles in his first time of year after arriving from Lyon, with Mourinho admitting the player had to change his mindset to reunite on track.
"He is definitely incredible. For me sometimes you can score a great target isolated from your performance. In cases like this the goal confirmed his functionality. It was really, really good," Mourinho said.
Fifth placed Tottenham are in a seven-match unbeaten go in every competitions after winning at Bramall Lane for the first time since 1975.
