It was a weekend that saw the race at both ends of the table tighten. Here is a look at this weekends Premier League winners and losers
Aston Villa
Make no mistake this was a huge statement win at Old Trafford for Martin O’Neill’s side. So far this season they have played, and defeated, Chelsea at home and away to both Liverpool and Manchester United. Up to fourth in the league, that final Champions League sport is there to be taken if Villa can show the same level of performance against the bottom teams as it does the top teams.
The Premier League
It looks like we might have a real title chase this year that involves more than two teams. And the competition for that 4th Champions League place has never been more competitive with Spurs, Villa, Manchester City, and Liverpool all thinking they have a good chance of finishing in the top four.
Wolves
It has been a good week for Wolves fans as they have seen their team win their last two games. Better enjoy those wins now Wolves fan because with Manchester United, Manchester City and LiverpoolI all on the schedule before the end of the year, it might be a while until you get to celebrate another victory.
Arsenal
Two weeks ago the season was over for Arsenal after losing to Chelsea. Now after seeing Chelsea and Manchester United drop points unexpectedly, Arsenal are suddenly very much back in the title race.
Birmingham
Not enough has been said about the job that Alex McLeish has done at Birmingham this season. After changing tactics to make City a little more of a scoring threat, Birmingham have picked up 14 points from their last 6 games and are top of the Premier League’s form guide.
Midweek Games
With 8 games Tuesday and Wednesday, we get more football from the best league in the world.
Losers
Manchester City
After beating Arsenal and Chelsea I expected Manchester City to go on a winning streak. But they are back to their old form drawing at Hull this weekend. City have only lost once in the league this season, but they have dropped 16 points in their last ten games.
Petr Cech
Before getting injured at Reading several years ago Petr Cech was the best goalkeeper in the world. Now he is not in the top three of the Premier League. When will Carlo Ancelotti make the move to Ross Turnbull?
Tottenham Hotspur
Will the real Spurs team stand up? A team aiming for that 4th Champions League spot should not be losing at home to the likes of Stoke and Wolves.
Liverpool
Where to start? It has been a terrible start to the season for Liverpool. It is not even Christmas and already they have been knocked out of the Champions League, Carling Cup and have lost 6 times in the league. Teams go through bad spells and Liverpool are still only 5 points behind Villa for that 4th Champions League spot.
What is unusual is the lack of fight from Liverpool Sunday when they went 2-1 down to Arsenal. Where was the famous Liverpool response under pressure? This has to worry Rafa more than anything. His team is very fragile and playing with no confidence. More importantly, the leaders on the team seem to have disappeared.
