Clashes involving Manchester United, Charlton and Bolton feature in our Christmas cracker bundle.
When the festivities of Christmas Day have subsided once more, all that is left to do is consume stuffing balls, leftover pudding and of course cold turkey. Correct?
Wrong. In footballing terms, Boxing Day has played host to a number a thrilling Premier League encounters electric enough to raise even granddad from his festive snooze.
Here are three from years past:
Manchester United 4 – 3 Newcastle United, December 26 2012, Old Trafford.
Boxing Day of four years ago played host to an enthralling encounter between title-chasing Manchester United and Newcastle United at Old Trafford.
In what was to be Sir Alex Ferguson’s last season in charge of The Red Devils, the Scot saw his side come from behind three times in front of over 75,000 revellers at The Theatre of Dreams.
After James Perch had given the visitors the lead, defender Jonny Evans equalised before minutes later putting into his own net, to give The Magpies a 2-1 half time lead.
Javier Hernandez (L) scores Manchester United’s fourth goal
The second period was further helter-skelter fare. Patrice Evra levelled the scores just before the hour mark before Papiss Cisse gave Newcastle a hugely unlikely lead on the counter-attack.
The hosts dug deep and after Robin van Persie made it 3-3, Javier Hernandez snatched all three points in the 90th minute to send Old Trafford into raptures.
The win sent Manchester United top by seven points and the Red Devils went on to win the league crown – a fitting send-off for United boss Ferguson.
Charlton Athletic 4 – 2 Chelsea, December 26 2003, The Valley.
In Roman Abramovic’s first season in charge of The Blues, their new Russian owner had an unhappy Boxing Day in 2003, when Alan Curbishley’s Addicks recorded a two-goal victory in South London.
Hermann Hreidarsson’s 45th second goal set the pace for the game, as John Terry equalised before 10 minutes had passed. Matt Holland restored the host’s lead before half time.
Reuters / Picture supplied by Action Images *** Local Caption *** RBBORH2003122700008.jpg
In a second half six-minute spell, Jonatan Johansson and Jason Euell gave Charlton a commanding lead on the 53rd minute, leading 4-1.
In a game of wasted chances for Claudio Ranieri’s men, Eidur Gudjohnsen pulled one back, but The Blues failed to close the gap further, as Curbishley celebrated a rare win over Chelsea.
Bolton Wanderers 4 – 3 Newcastle United, December 26 2002, Reebok Stadium.
The year before, The Magpies featured again, as Lancashire witnessed another post-Christmas goal fest.
Both former Premier League stalwarts shared seven goals, as a brace from Michael Ricketts held off a late fightback from the visitors.
Three goals came in a frenetic start as Shola Ameobi levelled Jay-Jay Okocha’s opener, before Ricardo Gardner made it 2-1.
Picture Supplied by Action Images
4-1 up with less than half an hour to play, Alan Shearer netted in the 71st and 80th minutes, as Newcastle threw the turkey and kitchen sink at Sam Allardyce’s men late on.
The Trotters held on however, for a win which still lives long in the hearts and minds of Bolton fans everywhere.
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