Arsenal Stay At The Top

While City Enters The Top Four After Liverpool's Stumble

Arsenal

The holidays were good to the Gunners as they replaced Manchester United at the top of the EPL. First up it was North London rivals Tottenham who haven't beaten Arsenal since 1999 and wouldn't on this occasion going down 2-1 at the Emirates. Boxing Day saw a trip to Fratton Park, never an easy ground to steal all 3 points from, and Arsene Wenger's men had to settle for a single point from a 0-0 draw. The Gunners got back on track however taking maximum points from Everton at Goodison Park where, despite going a goal down, they ran out easy 4-1 winners - on the same day Manchester United suffered a shock defeat to West Ham and Arsenal went top of the EPL. The Hammers were not as lucky in their New Year's Day trip to the Emirates going down 2-0 and keeping Arsenal top as we enter 2008.

Aston Villa

Martin O'Neill has worked wonders at Villa Park and the Villains are a different team to this time last year, predominately in one area - everyone now plays and digs in for each other. A 1-1 draw with the ever-improving Manchester City at Eastlands was followed on Boxing Day by one of the games of the season so far, a 4-4 draw with Chelsea in a game that not only had goals but also saw three players receive red cards. Next up it was Wigan at the JJB and O'Neill's men had to dig in to come back from a goal down to win 2-1. Villa rounded off the holiday season in similar fashion beating Tottenham 2-1 to leave them in 7th and keep dreams of European football alive for next season.

Birmingham City

A mixed few weeks for Alex McLeish's men. Things started poorly as they were pummeled 3-0 by Bolton, however the Christmas cheer was returned to St. Andrews on Boxing day as they ran over a sloppy Middlesbrough by the same scoreline. Next up were Fulham who came to St. Andrews and left with a deserved point in a 1-1 draw. Facing Manchester United is never easy but Birmingham gave a good account of themselves on the opening day of 2008 going down t the champions by a solitary Carlos Tevez strike. So 4 points from 4 games leaves Birmingham just above the relegation zone and they are surely among the clubs who will still be there in May.

Blackburn Rovers

Losing to Chelsea in the holiday opener meant Blackburn had lost 4 games on the trot a slide they stemmed somewhat with a 2-2 draw with Manchester City and then improved on by beating EPL whipping boys Derby 2-1 at Pride Park. Mark Hughes' men then faced Sunderland at Ewood and won 1-0 in a game that had 2 penalties - Roy Keane's team failing to take advantage of theirs.

Bolton Wanderers

Three goals and the same number of points was a great opener for Gary Megson's team against Birmingham but Boxing Day saw inconsistency raise its head as Everton put 2 past them at Goodison. The last game of 2007 was a 3-1 defeat to Sunderland but precious points were added in the New Year's day game against Derby, albeit by the slimmest of goal margins in a 1-0 win.

Chelsea

Placed third in the EPL going into 2008, is it too soon to write off Chelsea's chances of taking the title this season? Joe Cole kept Chelsea in touch of the Manchester United and Arsenal as they claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win at Blackburn this was followed by the riveting 4-4 draw with Villa on Boxing Day before beating Newcastle 2-1. The first day of 2008 witnessed new Fulham boss Roy Hodgson endured a losing start to his Cottagers reign as Chelsea overcame a lifeless first half to record a slender 2-1 victory.

Derby County

Put your life savings on Derby playing Championship football next season. They began with a spirited 2-2 draw with misfiring Newcastle before Liverpool visited Pride Park and took the three points in a 2-1 win. Their last game of 2007 saw a 2-1 defeat to Blackburn and 2008 opened with a 1-0 defeat at Bolton.

Everton

Moyes' boys are performing admirably and currently sit comfortably in 6th spot in the EPL despite losing their first game of the festive season 2-1 to Manchester United. It was back to Goodison for the next game and a 2-0 win over Bolton. The last game of 2007 was, however, a washout as Arsenal came to Goodison and ran out easy 4-1 winners with Arteta seeing red during the game. The New Year brought better news with Johnson and McFadden scoring at Middlesbrough. The top four may be a position too far for the Toffees but don't count them out next term.

Fulham

Two points from 4 games over Christmas indicates the depth of the problems at Craven Cottage. A 1-1 home draw with Wigan was followed by a 5-1 thumping from Tottenham. Another point was scaped in a 1-1 tie away at Birmingham before Chelsea visited and won 2-1. Heading south.

Liverpool

The Champions League may be the big prize headed for Anfield this season, but the EPL title most certainly is not. Lack of consistency is the issue with Benitez's men - back to back wins against Portsmouth (4-1) and Derby (2-1) were followed by two draws, firstly against Manchester City (0-0) and more worryingly against lowly Wigan (1-1). The Reds may even just finish outside the top four this season.

Manchester City

All is well at Eastlands as City have cracked the top four with some impressive performances though the four games over the holidays were not as productive as Sven's men would have liked. A tricky trip to Villa Park opened the campaign and ended in a 1-1 draw. Two home draws followed against Blackburn and Liverpool before 2008 got off to a flyer with a 2-0 win away at out of sorts Newcastle.

Manchester United

Three wins from four cost Utd the top spot going into 2008. It started well with a 2-1 home win over Everton and a comfortable 4-0 win away at Roy Keane's Sunderland. Utd then took their collective eye off the ball and suffered a 2-1 defeat to West Ham despite taking an early lead. Things were back on track, just, with a home win over Birmingham, albeit by the slimmest of margins.

Middlesbrough

One win from four and no prospect of putting things right means Gareth Southgate's charges are spiraling toward the danger zone of the bottom three. 'Boro in the Championship next season is not something that can be termed a surprise any more and these are worrying times. A 2-1 home defeat to West Ham was followed by a 3-0 demolition at the hands of Birmingham. A creditable 1-0 win at Fratton Park against Portsmouth seemed to clear some of the doubt but the status quo was back in place when Everton came to town and won 2-0.

Newcastle United

Perhaps the meltdown shock of 2007 and it didn't get any better for Sam Allardyce's team recently as they recorded only a solitary point over the 4 games of the holidays and that came in the first game, a 2-2 draw with bottom club Derby. Defeats by Wigan, Chelsea and Manchester City followed meaning that Big Sam's tenure in the Toon hot seat is now in serious doubt with some calling for Alan Shearer, with no management experience, to take over the reins at St. James'.

Portsmouth

Pompey had better have enjoyed their Christmas dinner and New Year celebrations as the last four games were a mixed bag for Harry Redknapps men. A 4-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield was followed by a hard fought 0-0 home draw to table toppers Arsenal. Next up was Middlesbrough at Fratton Park and all the money was on the home win but 'Boro left the south coast with the three points following a 1-0 win. The First game of 2008 saw Pompey win 2-0 at Reading and start the year in a credible 8th spot in the EPL.

Reading

Four points from four for Steve Coppell's team beginning with a late 2-1 win over Sunderland. An away 1-1 draw at West Ham on Boxing Day was followed by a 10 goal classic against Spurs at White Hart Lane, but the Royals ran out second best, 6-4. A 2-0 home defeat to Portsmouth began the New Year and as Coppell sees little point in challenging for the FA Cup it will be a difficult second half to the season at the Madejski.

Tottenham Hotspur

The North London derby opened Spurs' account in the loss column as Arsenal ran out 2-1 at the Emirates. Back at White Hart Lane Fulham came knocking but were sent packing following a comprehensive 4-1 win. Goals continued aplenty with that 6-4 win over Reading before Tottenham were beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa. Spurs will continue to score, as long as Berbatov still plies his trade at the Lane.

Sunderland

At this stage Roy Keane should be well aware of the difference between the EPL and the Championship but he needs to get the Black Cats act together if he wants to avoid playing in the latter next term. The festivities got off to a poor start away as Reading won 2-1. That defeat was followed by a home humbling by Manchester United who scored four to no reply. A 3-1 home win over Bolton gave some Yuletide cheer but it was followed by another defeat, this time away to Blackburn.

West Ham United

A reasonable four games for the Hammers given that they had to face both Arsenal and Manchester United. But first it was a trip to Middlesbrough and three points in a 2-1 win. This was followed by a 1-1 home draw with Reading before the holiday shock as they beat Manchester United 2-1 at Upton Park. The Gunners were less generous though and recorded a 2-0 win.

>Wigan Athletic

Two draws, a win and a loss was the festive fayre for Wigan. A 1-1 draw at Fulham was followed by a 1-0 home win over Newcastle before Aston Villa arrived at the JJB and went home with three points after a 2-1 victory. The best was left to last however as Wigan recorded a commendable 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield.