Heroes and Villains: Mahrez Magic and Mourinho strife

We’re in the thick of the festive schedule, and the Premier League’s top stars have already given us plenty to talk about. Here’s our list of who had a Christmas to remember and who may need to make some New Year resolutions.

Heroes

Ashley Barnes

Burnley, 6/4 to stay up, have certainly needed a prolific protagonist up front this season and, whilst much hype has centered around Danny Ings and his apparent contract flirtations with other clubs, brilliant Barnes stepped up and out of the shadows.

The 25-year-old’s scorching strike and fiesty display against the Sky Blues rescued an unlikely point for the Clarets and was the highlight of his recent purple patch. Bath-born Barnes now has three goals in his last four games; can he be Burnley’s Charlie Austin?

David Silva and Yaya Toure

The dynamic duo seem to have taken over the scoring burden at striker-less City, filling in for absent Sergio Aguero and keeping the title challenge ticking over.

Sensational Silva and tenacious Toure have been responsible for six of the Sky Blues’ last eight goals, with the Spaniard in particular hitting new heights with his game-changing strikes.

Come the end of the season, these good Citizens may have made all the difference to their side’s chances of silverware.

Riyad Mahrez

Magical Mahrez has been Leicester City’s leading man of late, and one of their brightest lights this term.

The Foxes have had little to celebrate this Christmas, but midfield maestro Mahrez finally gave his skulk a reason to smile against Hull City.

A mazy run saw the Algeria international twist and turn the Tigers’ defence before slotting home a vital winner, but it was Mahrez’s defensive output that also impressed.