Top 10 Performances from Around the World over Weekend of Dec. 26-29
Despite a lack of major leagues being in action over the second half of December, we're pressing ahead with our series of the top performances of the weekend—giving us a chance to look at a few lower key, lower-profile divisions.
Of course, the Premier League is also still in action and it shouldn't be a surprise to see a number of teams feature this week from there, given it is the highest-standard league still in operation at present.
Here are our top 10 choices from the games taking place over the past few days.
10. Burnley
1 of 10
We start off with one side in the Premier League who didn't win—but for fans of Burnley it might have felt like a victory.
Trailing at Premier League champions Manchester City by two goals to nil, away from home, George Boyd and Ashley Barnes hit second-half goals to come back from the dead and secure a vital and unexpected point for the Clarets.
Burnley remain in the drop zone, but only on goal difference.
9. Aberdeen
2 of 10
The Scottish Premier League doesn't feature too often in our lists, so here's a shout-out to Aberdeen; their 1-0 win at Inverness CT at the weekend means they end 2014 in second place in the table, just two points off leaders Celtic.
It was also a fifth straight league win for the Dons, who were runners-up in the SPL last season and look more capable of challenging regular-winners Celtic for the title this term.
8. Adelaide United
3 of 10
Right around the other side of the planet now, where a winter break means nothing for a country in summer: Australia's A-League played out Matchweek 12 at the weekend, with Adelaide United picking up the most impressive victory.
They dispatched Sydney 3-0 away from home, opening up a gap between themselves and their opponents and staying in the hunt for the title, in third place, six points off the top.
All three goals came in the final 25 minutes of the game, ending a run of three defeats in four for Adelaide.
7. Qatar
4 of 10
One international friendly took place on Saturday: Qatar beat Estonia 3-0 in Doha.
It certainly wasn't a high-profile match (unless you follow one of those nations) but with the 2022 World Cup hosts trying to build a side worthy of the competition, every opponent which is overcome between now and then is a stepping stone.
Estonia aren't exactly heavyweights of the game themselves, but it extends Qatar's unbeaten run to 10 matches now with the milestone being that Estonia are the first European opposition in that sequence.
6. Anderlecht
5 of 10
Over to Belgium now, where the Jupiler Pro League played a final round of games this weekend before a two-week break.
Anderlecht picked apart Westerlo to record a 4-0 home win, a third consecutive victory which keeps them in second place.
Talented young striker Aleksandar Mitrovic opened the scoring early on, reaching double figures in league strikes for the season.
5. Istanbul Basaksehir
6 of 10
Turkey's Super Lig takes its two-week break from January 6, so still saw a full fixture list of action over the weekend.
Istanbul Basaksehir continued a mightily impressive season with a 3-1 win over Kayseri Erciyesspor to make it four victories in a row of late, keeping them in fourth place, behind the usual big three of the division.
They have lost just twice this term in league play, from 15 games, as they push for a European spot.
4. Hull City
7 of 10
Back to the Premier League for most of the top four, starting with Hull City, who picked up a vital win over Sunderland on Boxing Day.
The Tigers hadn't won in 10 in all competitions before this three points, which actually required a comeback after they fell behind inside the opening 100 seconds of the game.
It's not too far-fetched to think that the win may has kept Steve Bruce in a job for a little longer, though a defeat last time out to Leicester City dampened any over-enthusiastic thoughts they had of quickly escaping the relegation fight.
3. Club Brugge
8 of 10
A second selection from Belgium's top flight, with league leaders Club Brugge displaying a ruthless streak at the weekend to rack up a huge win.
Away from home to bottom club Lierse, Club Brugge showed the gulf in quality to record a 6-0 thrashing of their opponents, including two own goals from Eric Matoukou in the opening half hour of the match.
By half-time it was already 5-0 and Lierse were down to 10 men; the table toppers let them off somewhat in the second half and remain four points clear at the top.
2. Manchester United
9 of 10
Manchester United are now unbeaten in nine consecutive matches in the Premier League, with a thoroughly impressive 3-1 win over Newcastle United on Boxing Day the seventh victory in that run.
The Red Devils were all over their opponents for much of the game, blending a balanced midfield with a cutting edge in attack.
Wayne Rooney scored twice and Robin van Persie hit another as their top-four charge continued, ahead of a 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur two days later.
1. Liverpool
10 of 10
The top performance of the weekend goes to the team who won the last eligible match for consideration: Liverpool hammered Swansea City 4-1 at Anfield on Monday night, moving up to eighth in the Premier League table.
Awesome attacking displays from the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana helped the Reds to the win, which was as close as they have come this term to the devastating exploits of last season.
It's just one defeat in 10 now for Liverpool and they were one of only three sides to win both Christmas games.
