No wonder the TV companies are determined to keep the show on the road.
Tottenham and Liverpool served up a cracker at White Hart Lane which might just be the best entertainment you will see on the box this Christmas.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was left furious on the touchline as a combination of VAR controversies and his own players pressing the self-destruct button ended their six game winning run.
Andy Robertson had been the best player on the pitch with a goal and an assist before a rush of blood to the head cost his team dear and saw him sent off for a reckless challenge on Emerson Royal.
Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker also dropped a clanger to gift Heung-Min Son a late equaliser which ultimately Tottenham deserved for their gutsy attacking display.
But Klopp will still be wondering how on earth Harry Kane did not get sent off for a first half challenge on Robertson and why his team were denied what looked like an obvious penalty for Royal’s push on Diogo Jota.
They were both reviewed by VAR but referee Paul Tierney’s decisions were not overturned. At least we are talking about VAR rather than Covid for a change.
And at the final whistle, Klopp embraced Spurs boss Antonio Conte as the two rival managers hugged after a terrific game which served up entertainment, controversy and drama in equal measure.
They have both had their Covid issues as the Liverpool midfield was left depleted after Thiago Alcantara joined the list of positive cases and this was Tottenham’s first game since December 5 after an outbreak at the club.
The attendance was way short of the 60,000 capacity as many fans stayed away but the 45,421 who showed up will be thankful they did.
Tottenham started brilliantly as Kane put them ahead after 13 minutes with his first goal at home in the Premier League this season.
Tanguy Ndombele threaded a lovely through ball, Kane then slotted past Alisson and suddenly the home fans were singing about their captain being one of their own again.
Son, Kane and Dele Alli - remember him? - all missed gilt edged chances and you felt Liverpool would make them pay for their wastefulness. Alisson produced a sensational stop to deny Alli but he should have given him no chance.
Kane was so lucky not to see red for an over-the-top challenge on Robertson after 19 minutes.
Then Liverpool equalised after 35 minutes. Sadio Mane led the charge, Robertson then clipped a wonderful cross and Jota headed home.
Understandably, Klopp went crazy after Royal’s blatant push on Jota was not given as a penalty and, on top of Kane’s reckless challenge, he lost the plot. Klopp was booked by Tierney but he still clapped sarcastically at the officials.
Finally, it looked as if Liverpool had regained control. There was a goalmouth scramble in the Spurs box, Trent Alexander-Arnold smashed the ball back across and there was Robertson to head home.
The drama was not over yet. Alisson rushed out of his goal, missed his clearance and it left Son to race through and score into an empty net for a 74th minute leveller.
Liverpool then blew their chance of victory when Robertson made a rash challenge on Royal. Tierney initially gave him a yellow, was told to look at the screen and upgraded it to a red card.
A draw was just about a fair result but Liverpool will feel Tottenham deserved to finish the game with ten men as well.
And a hard earned point is a good result for Tottenham who, incredibly, have only beaten Liverpool just once in their last 20 meetings. But for Liverpool, it will be two points dropped in the title race.
