Every week I will break down the balance of power in the English Premier League.
1) Manchester City [up from #2]
Record: 8-4-0, 28 points
League position: 2nd
Streak: two wins (unbeaten in twelve)
They received some help from Howard Webb and his assistants, but City was full value for their win over Aston Villa, putting forth their best league performance of the season.
2) Manchester United [down from #1]
Record: 9-0-3, 27 points
League position: 2nd
Streak: one loss
Giving up the lead finally caught up with them at Carrow Road. The Giggs-Carrick partnership in midfield doesn’t work, and Alex Ferguson would be wise not to try it again.
3) West Bromwich Albion [up from #5]
Record: 7-2-3, 23 points
League position: 4th
Streak: three wins
A statement game from the Baggies, who comfortably saw off Chelsea at the Hawthorns. Steve Clark’s team is for real. They won’t challenge for a top four spot, but they’re no soft touch.
4) Everton [down from #3]
Record: 5-5-2, 20 points
League position: 5th
Streak: one loss
A loss away to lowly Reading? Hands up: who saw that coming? Didn’t think so. It’s a small blip on the radar for the Toffees and not too much should be read into this one result.
5) Chelsea [down from #5]
Record: 7-3-2, 24 points
League position: 3rd
Streak: one loss (winless in four)
Outplayed at by West Brom, the Blues continued their slide down the table after seemingly have a vice-like grip on top spot. What will the Rafa Benitez era bring at Stamford Bridge?
6) West Ham United [unchanged]
Record: 5-4-3, 19 points
League position: 7th
Streak: one draw (unbeaten in three)
Andy Carroll wasn’t happy after being subbed out late in the game against Stoke City. Here’s an idea: score some goals and quit your sulking.
7) Arsenal [up from #8]
Record: 5-4-3, 19 points
League position: 6th
Streak: one win (unbeaten in two)
A morale-boosting victory over Tottenham is just what the doctor ordered, but the Gunners still have issues, and a win over their North London rivals shouldn’t disguise that fact.
8) Fulham [down from #7]
Record: 4-4-4, 16 points
League position: 9th
Streak: one loss (winless in four)
The loss against Sunderland was spawned by Brede Hangeland’s sending off. Before that, both teams were pretty even. A setback for the Cottagers, but they’re on the right path.
9) Swansea City [up from #10]
Record: 4-4-4, 16 points
League position: 10th
Streak: one win (unbeaten in three)
Jonathan de Guzman continues to inspire for the Swans, as does Michu, who has been the steal signing of the summer transfer window.
10) Liverpool [up from #13]
Record: 3-6-3, 15 points
League position: 11th
Streak: one win (unbeaten in seven)
The Reds better hope Luis Suarez doesn’t go down injured because he’s been the difference for this club. Jose Enrique has also come on after some shoddy performances earlier in the season.
11) Tottenham [down from #9]
Record: 5-2-5, 17 points
League position: 8th
Streak: three losses
Spurs have enough trouble beating opponents; there’s no need to beat themselves. Emmanuel Adebayor’s was a fool to be sent off like that, and turned the tide of the match in Arsenal’s favour.
12) Norwich City [up from #14]
Record: 3-5-4, 14 points
League position: 13th
Streak: one win (unbeaten in five)
You should discount any suggestion that United lost this one. The Canaries were full value for the win, and this impressive unbeaten run has them quietly climbing the table.
13) Newcastle United [down from #11]
Record: 3-5-4, 14 points
League position: 12th
Streak: two losses (winless in three)
Yet another lifeless performance by the Magpies, and the loss of Yohan Cabaye to a groin injury will only make matters worse.
14) Wigan Athletic [down from #12]
Record: 3-2-7, 11 points
League position: 16th
Streak: two losses
Outplayed and outclassed at Anfield, the Latics need to win games like this one against middling teams if they are going to comfortably avoid relegation.
15) Sunderland [up from #17]
Record: 2-6-3, 12 points
League position: 15th
Streak: one win
If not for Fulham having Brede Hangeland sent off, the Black Cats likely would have had to settle for yet another draw. Consider me unimpressed with Martin O’Neill.
16) Stoke City [down from #15]
Record: 2-7-3, 13 points
League position: 14th
Streak: one draw (unbeaten in two)
Stoke are neither good nor bad. They’re nothing. They’re just there to make up the numbers.
17) Reading [up from #19]
Record: 1-6-4, 9 points
League position: 17th
Streak: one win (unbeaten in four)
Well done, with a win over Everton. But it’s hard to see this side building on a result that surely was an aberration.
18) Southampton [unchanged]
Record: 2-2-8, 8 points
League position: 19th
Streak: one win (unbeaten in two)
A big win at Loftus Road but the Saints are hardly out of the mire.
19) Aston Villa [down from #16]
Record: 2-3-7, 9 points
League position: 18th
Streak: two losses
Firmly put in their place by Manchester City after a heroic effort against Manchester United. Hard to see how Villa is going to beat the drop.
20) Queens Park Rangers [unchanged]
Record: 0-4-8, 4 points
League position: 20th
Streak: two losses (winless in twelve)
How is that Mark Hughes is still manager? Does he have incriminating photos of QPR’s owner?