The season of goodwill doesn’t extend to all men.

A full league programme in England and Scotland sees 22 players sent-off - only three short of the record for one day. 25 saw red on 16 October 1999.

Michael Owen makes his first return to Anfield but can do little more than look on as Liverpool beat Newcastle United 2-0.- Michael Owen makes his first return to Anfield but can do little more than look on as Liverpool beat Newcastle United 2-0. Heidar Helguson becomes the first player score against Chelsea in the second-half of a game since 12 April as Fulham come back from two-down at Stamford Bridge before Hernan Crespo’s classy finish gives the Premiership leaders a 3-2 win to maintain their nine-point advantage. Rio Ferdinand scores for the second time in four games as Manchester United beat West Bromwich Albion 3-0 at Old Trafford. In a thrilling game at the JJB Stadium, Wigan Athletic beat Manchester City 4-3 including a brace from Jason Roberts. In a dour goalless draw with Bolton Wanderers at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland end a run of ten consecutive defeats but they seem unlikely to follow West Bromwich Albion’s example from last season on being bottom at Christmas and avoiding relegation. The Black Cats, with six points, are ten points adrift of safety.

- It seems increasingly likely that Reading will replace Sunderland in the top flight. The Royals go nine points clear as they win 2-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers while Sheffield United lose their unbeaten home record as Norwich City win 3-1 at Bramall Lane. The George Burley reign at Southampton begins with a 0-3 defeat at third-placed Watford. David Tuttle’s first game in charge of bottom-of-the-table Millwall ends in a 1-1 draw at Leicester City.

- Brentford replace Swansea City at the top of League One as the Swans lose 1-2 at Griffin Park. Kevin O’Connor and Eddie Hutchinson score the Bees’ goals in the first half. Colchester United lose for the first time in 13 games as they go down to a last minute Rory Fallon goal at bottom club Swindon Town. Midweek Carling Cup heroes Doncaster Rovers crash 0-4 at Nottingham Forest.

- Grimsby Town and Leyton Orient move to within two points of League Two leaders Wycombe Wanderers. Grimsby record their seventh away win of the term when they come from behind at Bury and Leyton trounce Rushden & Diamonds 5-1 at the Matchroom Stadium. Struggling neighbours Macclesfield Town and Stockport County meet in the league for the first time and it’s troubled Macc who triumph by a 6-0 margin - their biggest-ever win in the Football League.

- There’s Boxing Day high jinx in the SPL. Celtic maintain their four-point lead with a 2-1 win against Livingston but only after new signing Roy Keane is paraded in front of the Parkhead crowd - then kick-off is delayed by 45 minutes due to a power failure. Power is supplied in different ways at Tynecastle where Heart of Midlothian thump five past Falkirk.