Premier League Power Rankings - week 5

The league never lies? A weekly look at who is making the real moves during the season!

1) Chelsea - The gap between the haves and the have rock was always going to be a depressing 90 minutes for those who remember competitive football in England. There were days when the Auld Firm domination was mocked "sarf of the border'!

2) Arsenal - A depressingly familiar look to Saturday for Arsenal. Having a man unfairly dismissed, at odds with officials, you often get the impression that The Gunners are destined to operate outside of the Premier League machine. They are like the cult classic that the cool kids know are the best - but will never make the money of Simon Cowell. If Fabregas and van Persie cannot stay fit ... they will most certanly lack the X-Factor.

3) Manchester United - Alex Ferguson keeps on unearthing star after star. Now his £30million striker has turned up after 3 years and made him look him look smart United have been able to suspend their inevitable collapse. Apparently United could have won 10-1 according to Fergie. They should have beaten Everton by bucket loads the week before too. In reality it was an aggregate of 6-5. Says it all.

4) Manchester City - This was a tough game for City make no mistake. It would be churlish to say otherwise despite the manner of the goals which took them to victory. Carlos Tevez maybe the second best striker in the league behind Didier Drogba. Welcome to Manchester indeed!


5) Tottenham Hotspur - It was all about to go horribly wrong for Harry Redknapp - and then Roman Pavlyuchenko turned up. It is a familiar pattern for Harry and Spurs. They are getting results that count and that is all you can ask.

6) Newcastle United - The Magpies turned up at Goodison Park and put on a show that tactically was sublime. Much has been said of Ben Arfa and Andy Carroll this season, but Chris Hughton took apart David Moyes on his own turf. An upset or a marker for the season? You have to give them the benefit of the doubt right now.

7) Liverpool - A good performance at Old Trafford, if you take history out of the equation. Liverpool were defensive and insecure in their approach but made United work in the end. Good signs that Raul Meireles is a real player should be enough to content Roy Hodgson given the upheaval.

8) Sunderland - Steve Bruce should be given some credit here. A great result with a tinge of luck doesn't sound much, but there are many teams who are not capable of taking advantage of kind refereeing.

9) Everton - David Moyes talked of ProZone in relation to his fury at the end of the Manchester United game. By playing Marouane Fellaini in attack and a Johnny Heitinga in midfield, Moyes appeared to go for what may be termed the 'Allardyce full house'. Long balls get you beaten. A direct-style that goes nowhere but mid-table. Everton need to review their approach.

10) Blackburn Rovers - Fulham at Ewood Park is a fixture that Rovers should relish. This is their bread and butter. They failed in this one and that will be a worry.

11) Bolton Wanderers - The Trotters have toughed it out in some good places this season. To change a style of play and keep the results ticking over is no easy task. Ask Sammy Lee.

12) Aston Villa - Ashley Young dived to win a free-kick that he went on to stick in the back of the net. Gerard Houllier was no doubt grinning in the stand. He needs to look no further for his new Didi Hamann at Villa. Results are a worry for Villa and performances are worse than their points tally suggests.

13) Fulham - A great point for Mark Hughes. Where Fulham are going nobody can be too sure. They are steady as they come. It is patronising to say they will be happy with that but - they will be happy with that.

14) Birmingham City - The belief seems to be draining from The Blues by the week. For all their celebrated signings in late summer they still have Stephen Carr at the back and Lee Bowyer in midfield.

15) West Bromwich Albion - A really good sign that The Baggies are going to stay up. A great win. They may have a 10+ season goalscorer and that will be priceless. They may be the best Midlands team right now. Certainly playing the most attractive football.

16) Wolverhampton Wanderers - They continue to frustrate. If they had got something at The Lane it would have been something. There is nothing to like about their style, but they have substance.

17) West Ham United - Finally! West Ham are nowhere near the worst team in this league. Maybe it will be in spite of everything off the field that they will come good. Their midfield is packed with decent players. Rob Green needs to sort his head out. He will.

18) Stoke City - It was a big chanced missed for The Potters. This could have been a week in which everything got back on track. They have such a great home support, but it still feels like a team that has been worked out.

19) Wigan Athletic - Latics have had a punishing set of fixtures but many have been at home. Let's face it, the DW is never going to provide a setting for a cauldron in which opposition fear to tread. They will hope to surprise enough on the road to make a difference. It will end in tears until they sort the centre of their defence out.

20) Blackpool - Continue to play like the experience is what it is all about. The best trip they've ever been on?! Clever, skilful players who can cause people problems. Fletcher-Taylor is a player that can make things happen - just not in as many games as he would hope.