As we head towards the last weekend of November, the top of the Premier League is starting to have a familiar look and feel to it. The top six looks like this:
Except for Southampton, the top of the table contains almost all the preseason title contenders. The only name missing is Tottenham Hotspur which was embarrassed 6-0 by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Spurs are two points behind Man United, who they play next weekend, but Tottenham boss AVB has to be worried at Spurs lack of goals, they have scored only 9 in the first 12 league games. Only bottom two sides, Crystal Palace and Sunderland have scored less. Until Tottenham starts to score goals, the pressure will continue to build on AVB, as Spurs fans are already calling for his head after today’s shambolic performance.
The other end of North London is heading in the other direction as Arsenal took care of top six contenders Southampton to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points. December will be a crucial month for Arsenal title’s ambitions as they play Everton and Man City away in successive weeks and then Chelsea at home. If Arsenal are still four points clear at Christmas, Arsenal fans will start to believe that this might be their year.
Two teams that are tucked in just behind Arsenal are Chelsea and Manchester City. Chelsea are slowly learning to play under Jose Mourinho and since that early Champions League defeat to Basel they have quietly been wrapping up the points.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side has put 7 by Norwich, 6 past Spurs and 4 by Man United at home this season. The only reason they are not running away with the league is that they have only picked up 4 points from a potential 18 away from home this season. When Pellegrini figures out how to play away from home in the Premier League, City walk the league,
