Man of the Match round-up: Arsenal, United and Palace stars shine in Saturday action

On a day that proved to be one full of red festive cheer for the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and indeed Liverpool, Manchester and Chelsea were left feeling blue. We round up the star performers from all eight matches in the Premier League on Saturday.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (8.35 rating): Arsenal 3-1 Burnley

Not to be outdone by Mohamed Salah, who had taken the lead in the race for this season’s Golden Boot last night, Aubameyang leapfrogged the Egyptian with a decisive brace. Unerringly clinical in front of goal, the Gunners hitman scored with both of his shots to take his league tally to 12 for the season.

David Brooks (9.04 rating): Bournemouth 2-0 Brighton

After a run of just three points from the previous 21 available, Bournemouth desperately needed a win to restore some festive cheer and Brooks was on hand to provide it. The youngster scored both goals for the Cherries from three shots at goal, completed two dribbles and chipped in with two tackles to boot.

Ricardo Pereira (8.27 rating): Chelsea 0-1 Leicester

With the pressure apparently mounting on Foxes boss Claude Puel, one of the Frenchman’s summer signings was crucial to a shock win at Stamford Bridge. While Jamie Vardy may have netted the decisive goals Pereira was pivotal to keeping the Blues at bay at the opposite end, leading the game in both tackles (6) and interceptions (5).

Philipp Billing (8.07 rating): Huddersfield 1-3 Southampton

While the young Dane may have ended the match on the losing side, he can be more than pleased with his individual performance. Billing scored only the hosts fourth home goal all season, attempting five shots in all, while he made more tackles (4) than any other player on the pitch, along with winning six aerial duels and making three interceptions.

Andros Townsend (8.59 rating): Manchester City 2-3 Crystal Palace

It was always likely to take something special for Manchester City to lose at home and boy did Townsend provide. Turning a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead in the space of two minutes, the winger thundered home a volley from distance to set up the shock result of the season. His goal of the season contender was supplemented by five tackles to earn a memorable three points.

Fabian Schar (7.59 rating): Newcaslte 0-0 Fulham

In a game lacking great quality, Schar was instrumental to the hosts earning a second successive clean sheet. The Swiss international produced three tackles, two interceptions and five clearances for a solid rating but one that, in any other game this weekend, wouldn’t have come close to a man of the match award.

Etienne Capoue (8.31 rating): West Ham 0-2 Watford

While goals from Deeney and Deulofeu ended West Ham’s winning streak at four, Capoue’s influence in the middle ground was key to an excellent away win for the Hornets. The Frenchman won all four of his tackles, made seven clearances and five clearances, while maintaining a strong 87 per cent pass accuracy.

Jesse Lingard (9.64 rating): Cardiff 1-5 Manchester United

What a Manchester United managerial debut it proved to be for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, whose front three were all on the scoresheet in a resounding victory. It was Lingard that stole the show, however, scoring twice and registering an assist while completing three dribbles to earn the highest WhoScored.com rating of the day.