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The biggest story of this Barclays Premier League season has been the rise of "lesser" clubs — Leicester City, Crystal Palace, West Ham — and the struggles of traditional powers Chelsea and Manchester United. But for one weekend, normalcy returned. Manchester United and Chelsea defeated Swansea City and Palace, respectively. Up-and-down Arsenal and Manchester City won, too, and Leicester was held to another goalless draw.
But continuing its surprise trend, West Ham picked up a 2-0 win over Liverpool. That gave the Hammers their first league double over the Reds since the 1963-64 season.
Sources: Jordan Morris to turn pro [Goal]
The Stanford superstar is leaving college to take on MLS with Seattle Sounders. Morris is reportedly in "advanced negotiations" with Seattle on a contract that will make him the highest-paid homegrown player in league history.
RCD Espanyol 0-0 FC Barcelona: Match Review [Barca Blaugranes]
In Europe's biggest surprise of the weekend, high-flying Barcelona was held without a goal for the first time since a Copa del Rey game on October 28. Real Madrid, second in La Liga, couldn't take advantage and played to a 2-2 draw with Valencia.
What's happening in The A?
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the future home of Atlanta United FC and the Falcons, is really starting to take shape.
Exterior windows are already going up at Mercedes-Benz Stadium pic.twitter.com/X34aViriTe
— Craig Sager II (@CraigSagerJr) January 3, 2016
Speaking of the Falcons, they ended a disappointing season with a disappointing 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Atlanta finishes 8-8 and claims the 17th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Coming off a four-day rest, the Hawks looked worn out defensively in a 111-97 loss to the New York Knicks. You know it's not your night when you're playing against Arron Afflalo in the year 2016 and he scores 38.