Credit; here.We've had the last game before Christmas and it could have been Manchester City top of the pile for the first time at this time of year since 1929.
A victory would have sent City one point clear of their near neighbours, who have a game in all of their title rivals after their last two away games were called off because of the weather.
Instead, after a 2-1 loss to Everton, it is Manchester United, unbeaten from the start, who top the pile heading into the second half of the season, when they usually start to set a higher gear.
Santa couldn't bring a place top of the league to Manchester City for Christmas.Credit; here
Last season, the Red Devils picked up 48 points after Christmas and only lost to Everton and Chelsea, both away.
Interestingly, Chelsea picked up 3 less points after accumulating defeats to Manchester City, Everton and Tottenham.
Chelsea couldn't beat Spurs at the end of last season, but still won the title by 1 point.Credit; hereA repeat of that would surely see United crowned Premier League champions come May for the 12th time.
Surely Arsenal won't be able to keep up with that form, given they have a re-scheduled tie with Chelsea to play, along with a double header against Spanish Champions Barcelona. Those three fixtures alone, in my opinion, could end Arsenal's season.
Despite the Gunners sitting in second, only two points off United, they fail to perform in the big games. If their home form had been good this season, they might have been way clear already, even with defeats to Chelsea and United.
Defeats to Newcastle, Tottenham and West Brom peg you back and, if they are to be realistic title challengers, Arsenal need to make their possession count and create chances, something which has been missing of late with captain Cesc Fabregas injured, despite the re-juvinated form of Samir Nasri.
Arsenal's Champions League loss had a spiralling effect on their league form last season.Credit; here.
I don't see Arsenal as contenders on any front this season, but success in the Carling Cup would come as a welcome relief to Arsene Wenger, who hasn't won a trophy in 5 years.
It might not be the greatest trophy, but it's a trophy, providing his side aren't distracted by their pending trip to Spain.
Chelsea haven't been the same this season but, with Frank Lampard returning, the midfielder might inspire better things form the London outfit.
That's not forgetting that Carlo Ancelotti's side have to face United twice in the next 5 months.
It is those games that will decide whether the Premier Legaue trophy stays on London or moves North once again.
One thing is for sure, an advantage going into Christmas is one worth taking advantage of.
