Premier League Power Rankings

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

1) Manchester City - There was far too much made of the 'City meltdown'. It seems that the popular media loves nothing better than laying into City and Liverpool while other clubs who randomly sack coaches are given a pass. Journalists may gather around a table on TV eating fake croissants and declaring that City 'lack class' but for us it is about what happens on the pitch ... where funnily enough, they have plenty of class!

2) Arsenal - What a blow for The Gunners. Just when they thought they had outlasted the money at Chelsea and Alex Ferguson's best years at Old Trafford - they get a kicking from the new kids on the 'big four' block. Instead of leading the way in Europe they find themselves battling to be the best team on their own patch these days.

3) Tottenham Hotspur - Harry Redknapp seems to be getting more and more confident to take the game to any opponent. Like watching Ian Holloway with the keys to the kingdom.

4) Liverpool - While all around them are losing their heads Roy Hodgson's outfit lurk menacingly at the back of the pack. A midfield that included Christian Poulson seemed to make sense on Saturday. There is hope ... clearly.


5) Manchester United - A couple of nice decisions reducing Wigan to nine men on Saturday made it even more difficult to judge United. Rooney is back - is that a good thing for this unsettled unit?

6) Chelsea - Well the problem is not Carlo Ancelotti. Not too sure it is the playing staff either. Ever since they let the best coach in world football leave you have always had to wonder about Chelsea.

7) Everton - The days when Louis Saha was capable of changing a game are over. Saha plays like the game comes easy to him.... when clearly it doesn't. It may be time to believe in Jermaine Beckford.

8) Sunderland - The Black Cats quite clearly found it difficult to produce back-to back performances. They were outplayed by Everton and a more ruthless outfit would have made them pay.

9) Bolton Wanderers - This side is going to have to face the reality of the situation sooner or later - with respect in this league comes tougher matches. Opponents will see a point at The Reebok as a credible point ... and Bolton will have to break teams down... an interesting phase in the Coyle revolution awaits.

10) Blackburn - Without getting bogged down in all the stats, you just feel that Blackburn will beat anybody at Ewood.

11) Aston Villa - We knew Villa would not be ready to beat a side like Blackburn away from home.. and they weren't.

12) Newcastle United - These boom or bust performances were great for a while. Not too sure about them now. Grinding out a few points may be a good idea as winter sets in. Nobody in Newcastle will want to see the bottom three looming after Christmas.

13) Stoke City - The reality is that only a handful of wins away from home will keep Tony Pulis' men in the Premier League for another season. With each season they grow. Stoke look here to stay.

14) Blackpool - This has become a little bit more than a fairytale. Blackpool may just do the impossible.

15) Wigan Athletic - When Wigan go to Old Trafford it just seems unfair. Everything about the fixture feels weighted in United's favour. Martin Atkinson didn't help.

16) Birmingham City - On such crucial 90 minutes can seasons be defined. The Blues took a hammering against Chelsea, but it surprised nobody that they stayed resilient.

17) West Bromwich Albion - The Baggies are starting to falter. Next up is a trip to Goodison ... worrying indeed.

18) Fulham - Sleepwalking into relegation. That is what we thought a few weeks ago... Mark Hughes got a massive wake-up call in Sunday.

19) Wolverhampton Wanderers - Another close call on Saturday but Wolves still left Blackpool with no points. Time to stick together.

20) West Ham United - Not sticking together quite clearly are The Hammers. This almost certainly would not have been the case if a certain Mr Zola was in charge. One of the most puzzling parting of ways in recent years.