Cancelling Christmas isn’t an obvious means of ingratiating yourself with a raft of new employees but it appears that Sam Allardyce can do no wrong at Everton where the latest chapter in one of British football’s most intriguing careers has kicked off on the most promising of intros.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte admits he was surprised to hear of Eden Hazard’s call-up to the Belgium squad.

Everton boss Ronald Koeman remains keen on adding a striker to his squad and would welcome a loan arrangement for Chelsea outcast Diego Costa.

Stefano Okaka scored his first goals for Watford as Everton's miserable run continued with a 3-2 defeat at Vicarage Road.

Everton 2 West Ham 0: Romelu Lukaku maintained his record of having scored every time he has played against West Ham — nine and counting — but the Everton victory marked a personal triumph for his midfield team-mate Ross Barkley.

Sean Dyche was pleased to discuss a Burnley he is more familiar with after Scott Arfield's late goal maintained their impressive home form against Everton.

West Ham got a win against Sunderland.

Everton 1, Crystal Palace 1: Crystal Palace had a goal controversially disallowed as their Premier League winning streak came to an end with a 1-1 draw at Everton.

Midfielder Gareth Barry marked his 600th Premier League appearance with a goal as Everton's unbeaten start continued with a 3-1 win over Middlesbrough which moved them into second place.

Sunderland 0 Everton 3

Mauricio Pochettino cannot wait to take charge of his maiden Champions League game as he leads Tottenham back into Europe’s elite club competition.

Crystal Palace 0 West Brom 1

Jesse Lingard struck a stunning extra-time winner as 10-man Manchester United came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in the FA Cup final.

Alan Pardew has defended the “outstanding” Quique Sanchez Flores’ record at Watford amid increasing speculation about the manager’s position.

Arsene Wenger is concerned for Arsenal's Champions League qualification hopes after another frustrating afternoon for the Gunners.

Liverpool's 10 men secured a win at Crystal Palace with a late penalty from Christian Benteke after goalkeeper Alex McCarthy gifted Roberto Firmino an equalising goal with a horror slip in the second half.

They went seven points clear of the relegation zone after Marc Pugh and Benik Afobe goals.

Remi Garde says Aston Villa’s squad needs major surgery and revealed he is already losing out on players.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez is not content with receiving plaudits for the style of his football and will continue to strive for perfection ahead of Crystal Palace’s visit tonight (8pm, live on Sky Sports 1).

Crystal Palace 5 Newcastle 1: Steve McClaren hopes Mike Ashley will back him to the hilt so he can command the dressing-room respect needed to win Newcastle’s relegation dogfight.

Jermain Defoe picked Scott Dann’s pocket for a poacher’s finish to seal Sunderland’s 1-0 Premier League victory at Crystal Palace.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes fans will continue to stream for an early exit at Anfield until the team give them something to stay for.

Getting in behind the Premier League weekend.

Jose Mourinho refused to comment on Chelsea’s pursuit of John Stones after admitting the Premier League champions had practised their defending this week.

Crystal Palace 2 Aston Villa 1: Bakary Sako gave Palace fans hope Alan Pardew’s side can flourish without Yannick Bolasie with a dramatic late winner against disappointing Villa.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino claims Tottenham would be in big trouble if they did not have at least a couple of targets in their sights as the club aim to land a striker ahead of the transfer deadline.

Crystal Palace 1  Arsenal 2:

Alan Pardew has never been slow to offer reminders when he has done something well, and considering Crystal Palace’s transformation from relegation-threatened to top half of the table this year, backed up by the most impressive transfer dealings of any side outside of the top six excepting Stoke, that knowing grin has widened.

Memphis Depay (PSV to Manchester United)

From champs to relegation chumps; how they ranked this season...

PREMIER LEAGUE

Departing Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard’s final appearance at Anfield ended in disappointment as his side could not give him the send-off the occasion demanded.

Manchester United’s victory at Crystal Palace may have been unconvincing, but Louis van Gaal’s men will not mind after edging closer to a Champions League return.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho cherishes memories, not trophies and medals.

Christian Benteke scored his eighth goal in six games to hand Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood a winning return to Tottenham.