Every Tuesday I will break down the balance of power in the English Premier League with my weekly power rankings.
1. MANCHESTER CITY [unchanged]
League position: 1st
Overall record: 12-2-1 (38 points)
Streak: one loss
Unbeaten run had to end at some point. Still the best team in the country.
2. MANCHESTER UNITED [unchanged]
League position: 2nd
Overall record: 11-3-1 (36 points)
Streak: two wins (unbeaten in 6)
Closing in on their city rivals after statement win at Old Trafford.
3. CHELSEA [up from 7]
League position: 3rd
Overall record: 10-1-4 (31 points)
Streak: three wins
Back in the title fray after massive win over City at Stamford Bridge.
4. TOTTENHAM [down from 3]
League position: 4th
Overall record: 10-1-3 (31 points)
Streak: one loss
Had a few calls go against them, but can’t use that as an excuse.
5. ARSENAL [down from 4]
League position: 5th
Overall record: 9-2-4 (29 points)
Streak: two wins (unbeaten in 8)
Have to be more ruthless in front of goal or risk being punished.
6. LIVERPOOL [up from 6]
League position: 6th
Overall record: 7-5-3 (26 points)
Streak: one win
Suarez finally comes good after two-month goal drought.
7. NEWCASTLE UNITED [down from 6]
League position: 7th
Overall record: 7-5-3 (26 points)
Streak: two losses (winless in 4)
The Magpies’ slide down the table continues.
<8. STOKE CITY [unchanged]>
League position: 8th
Overall record: 6-3-6 (21 points)
Streak: three wins
A little luck and a little skill sees Potters upend Spurs.
9. NORWICH [up from 12]
League position: 10th
Overall record: 5-4-6 (19 points)
Streak: one win
Massive win over Newcastle propels Canaries into top half of table.
10. ASTON VILLA [up from 11]
League position: 9th
Overall record: 4-7-4 (19 points)
Streak: one win
Is win over Bolton the start of a turnaround for the Villains?
11. SWANSEA CITY [up from 15]
League position: 11th
Overall record: 4-5-6 (17 points)
Streak: one win
Michel Vorm continues to be one of the best newcomers in the league.
12. FULHAM [down from 10]
League position: 14th
Overall record: 3-6-6 (15 points)
Streak: one loss
Dempsey fails to come through in the clutch – for once.
13. EVERTON [down from 9]
League position: 12th
Overall record: 5-1-8 (16 points)
Streak: two losses
Undone by brilliant goal from van Persie.
14. QUEENS PARK RANGERS [down from 13]
League position: 12th
Overall record: 4-4-7 (16 points)
Streak: one loss (winless in three)
Seem to have lose their way a bit.
15. WEST BROMWICH ALBION [down from 14]
League position: 15th
Overall record: 4-3-8 (15 points)
Streak: one loss (winless in 3)
A little hard done by in home loss to Fulham.
16. SUNDERLAND [up from 18]
League position: 16th
Overall record: 3-5-7 (11 points)
Streak: one win
Martin O’Neill era off to a winning start.
17. WOLVES [down from 16]
League position: 17th
Overall record: 4-2-9 (14 points)
Streak: one loss
Bore the brunt of Manchester United’s mid-week Champions League exit.
18. WIGAN [up from 20]
League position: 18th
Overall record: 3-3-9 (12 points)
Streak: one win
Abetted by the refs to win at the Hawthorns.
19. BLACKBURN [down from 17]
League position: 19th
Overall record: 2-4-9 (10 points)
Streak: one loss
Threw away three points on the road against Sunderland.
20. BOLTON [down from 19]
League position: 20th
Overall record: 3-0-12 (9 points)
Streak: four losses
Just one win at home. Worst defence in the league (36 goals).