By "Scauraron"
The soccer games played over the Christmas holidays in England proved just how difficult it is to weigh up football form at home. On Christmas Day Stoke visited Grimsby and defeated the Fishermen witn ease, and in the return fixture at Stoke the homesters could - only draw.
Brentford took four points from Manchester City winning on Christmas Day at Manchester by two clear goals and at home by the odd goal in three, to remain leaders of the first Division.
Bolton W. lost ground in the Championship race as the result of being defeated at Derby. The Christmas Day game was abandoned. Leeds retain second place in spite of being defeated at Middlesbrough on Boxing Day.
In the Second Division, Sheffield United improved their position by defeating Coventry City at homie} and then gaining a point at Coventry. Aston Villa, who were not engaged on Christmas Day, defeated Bradford away from home.
Tottenham visited Bury on Christmas Day to win by the odd goal in three; the Lancastrians took ample revenge by taking two points at White Hart Lane.
Plymouth Argyle go into bottom place; they lost at home to Sheffield Wednesday, but managed to hold a point at Sheffield, Fulham however ed two points as the result of defeating Burnley,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.