There you have it, HAPPY CHRISTMAS to all my Scouse mates!
What a result I went into the Chelsea-Manchester City match thinking: “if we take a point here I’ll be more than happy”.
On the back of a pan load of diarrhoea at Wembley in the 3-1 loss to Spurs and a stupid loss at Wolves, it was hard to imagine that the Blues could face up to the champions and get anything out of it.
But, as I said to a couple of people before the game, “you never know with Chelsea”, we’ve seen the old "wounded lion" scenario happen all too often.
As I sat back at kickoff, praying to the football gods, my worst nightmare started playing itself out. The City was magnificent slick passing and great movement, forcing Chelsea to run hard as they stretched the pitch.
You could hear a pie drop in the old Shed End as we were totally outclassed.
Photo: Tim Ireland/AP
It was probably one of the better halves I’ve ever seen from the Citizens, except, through dogged defending, got nothing to show for it, only for N'Golo Kante to slam an opener just before the break.
Blues boss Maurizio Sarri changed focus in the second half, played higher up the pitch and with the Stamford Bridge faithful backing the possible upset, took the game to the visibly-less confident visitors.
I’ve got a lot of respect for Pep Guardiola, I think we all do, but why the f**k did he take off Leroy Sane? Probably their most dangerous player on the day.
The substitution freed up Cesar Azpilicueta and allowed the fullback time on the ball.
It was a first-class f**k up and provided ever stronger opportunity for Chelsea to grab a result. And so they did! The imperious David Luiz popping up in the box with a brilliant header to seal an unlikely win.
What an unusual feeling to get an inbox full off positive messages from United and Liverpool fans.
As with Arsenal (comfortably beating Spurs last week), could this be the game that solidifies Chelsea and gives the side a massive “we can beat anyone” confidence boost?
Well, on paper, the Christmas period looks very kind.
Our next nine fixtures should all provide positive results: Vidi (a, Europa League), Brighton (a), Bournemouth (h, League Cup), Leicester (h), Watford (a) and Palace (a) before the new year, then three successive home games against Southampton, Nottingham Forest (FA Cup) and Newcastle.
Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger, left, and Manchester City's Raheem Sterling compete for the ball. Photo: Tim Ireland/AP
This week's Champions League fixtures may also hamper those above us Barca v Spurs and Liverpool v Napoli and tomorrow Valencia v United and City v Hoffenheim.
It’s amazing how a single result can switch you from deep football depression to blue skies and optimism.
Liverpool, Tottenham and Man Utd (surprisingly) were all solid value for their wins on the weekend, while Arsenal ground out three points.
Xmas officially begins next week and what a cracking way to start Liverpool v Man Utd on Sunday at 6 pm.
There’s a couple of bumper fixtures coming up that’ll have a strong bearing on the top four. Liverpool host Arsenal on the 29th Dec and on the 3rd of Jan, Jurgen Klopp takes on Pep at the Etihad.
For me, it’s still City for the title and they’ll probably destroy Everton on Saturday, but Chelsea’s result on the weekend gives all of us hope!