Our team of Premier League stars who impressed with their Boxing Day performances.
Boxing Day is one of the annual highlights of the footballing calendar and represents one of the rare occasions on which all 20 Premier League sides play on the same day – and 2014 didn’t let us down, with a number of cracking matches enjoyed by fans across the country.
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There was some particularly impressive performances, with this being our best XI from the day’s action:
GK) Lukasz Fabianski (Swansea City)
Fabianski has proven to be one of the most inspired Premier League signings of the summer on a free transfer for Swansea City, and Garry Monk had two wonderful late saves from the Polish international to thank for his side’s three points against Aston Villa.
RB) Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea)
Ivanovic has been one of the stand-out performers in the league this season, bombing on from right back for Chelsea, and with Enner Valencia neglecting his defensive duties he had free rein to cause chaos against West Ham. There was a blemish on his display on the form of an embarrassing dive after being challenged by Andy Carroll, however.
CB) Paddy McNair (Manchester United)
Manchester United have tended to be on the winning side when teenage McNair has started this season and that was the case again at Old Trafford against Newcastle, where the Northern Irishman’s composure was outstanding.
CB) Marc Muniesa (Stoke City)
Former Barcelona trainee and Spanish youth international Muniesa was the standout member of a Stoke back four that led Mark Hughes’ side to a fine win at Everton.
LB) Ryan Bertrand (Southampton)
On loan at St. Mary’s from Chelsea, left back Ryan Bertrand has had an exceptional season for Ronald Koeman and that continued in his side’s victory at Crystal Palace, with Bertrand topping his display off with a wonderful right-footed goal.
RM) Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
So imperious has Alexis Sanchez been for Arsenal since he signed from Barcelona in the summer, the Chilean winger is becoming almost ever-present in this team – he may have missed a penalty against QPR, but was outstanding otherwise.
CM) Nemanja Matic (Chelsea)
Holding midfielder Nemanja Matic is a genuine contender for Premier League player of the season so far and he was outstanding against West Ham, breaking up play with ease and pouring into space to help overload the West Ham defence.
CM) Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Once again played in a deep, central midfield role by manager Louis van Gaal, Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney was the best player on the pitch for the Red Devils as they beat Newcastle, capping his display with two neatly taken goals.
LM) Sadio Mane (Southampton)
Winger Sadio Mane has been largely inconsistent for Southampton this season after joining from Red Bull Salzburg in the summer, but he was unplayable at Selhurst Park as he ruined the Crystal Palace back line, scoring the opening goal.
ACM) David Silva (Manchester City)
For the second week running, Manchester City playmaker David Silva was the key needed to unlock an opposition defence. He was sublime in the first half at West Brom, winning a penalty and bagging himself another goal.
SC) Diego Costa (Chelsea)
He should’ve had more than one goal to add to his burgeoning collection after squandering a couple of decent chances, but Diego Costa’s goal against West Ham was a thing of beauty and he led the line well all afternoon.