Five things we learned from the Premier League’s festive season

Solskjaer’s immediate impact

Manchester United headed into the festive season under new management, but the appointment of Solskjaer to replace the sacked Jose Mourinho has reaped instant rewards.

A kind fixture list has helped, but United have looked transformed in scoring 14 goals in four wins over Cardiff, Huddersfield, Bournemouth and Newcastle from the side Mourinho left behind, 11 points off a top-four finish.

That gap is now down to six and the turnaround inspired by key players like Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford hitting top form has also raised hopes United could even spring a surprise against Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Spurs close but not yet challengers

For much of the festive season Tottenham showed why Mauricio Pochettino is in demand with both United and Real Madrid reportedly poised to make a summer move for the Spurs boss.

The free-scoring form of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Christian Eriksen sealed comprehensive wins over Everton, Bournemouth and Cardiff.

However, Tottenham are no closer to the leaders than they started the past four games due to a 3-1 home defeat to Wolves.

Pochettino bemoaned a lack of energy in that defeat and the rigours of four competitions on a stretched squad means even keeping pace with Liverpool and City in the second half of the season is a big ask.

Chelsea lacking firepower

If it wasn’t evident before, Chelsea’s four festive fixtures underlined the need for more firepower up front if they are to secure a top-four finish.

Sarri’s men scored just three goals in four games against Leicester, Watford, Crystal Palace and Southampton.

Eden Hazard scored two of those when playing through the middle at Watford as Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata again failed to find the net.

But the Belgian appears happier operating in his favoured position on the left and Chelsea are desperate to do all they can to convince Hazard to extend his current contact that expires in 18 months.

“We played a good match for 80 metres, then we were in trouble in the last 20 metres,” said Sarri after Wednesday’s 0-0 draw against Southampton.

“We have to try to solve the problem. We were in control of every match recently, but it was not easy to score the first goal.”