Premier League Power Rankings

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

1) Manchester City - Another row, another win. Why Roberto Mancini is doubted so much is a mystery. They have everything it takes to make a title run and their manager's stubborn streak may just be one of their biggest assets .

2) Arsenal - Getting it done with style and grace. There is only one ground that anybody wants to be at when Arsenal play like that. .

3) Tottenham Hotspur - Having negotiated their way to the next round of the Champions League and kept in touch at the top Spurs have proven that they have a squad to match anybody.

4) Manchester United - Not a bad time to miss a week. It has a habit of working out that way for some teams.



5) Liverpool - The Reds looked as slick as they have all year. They may have missed the heart of their side but this was a chance to see the Roy Hodgson blueprint for the club. Quick pass and move football was the result. Liverpool used to be a side that won without individual stars. Hodgson may be more in touch with the Anfield traditions then most who have proceeded him.

6) Chelsea - Lucky to escape with a point on Saturday and it all starting to get a bit awkward for this former powerhouse. Those unsure to how good Frank Lampard is will get their answer in the coming weeks.

7) Everton - Just when David Moyes appears to have hit a brick wall he gets his team to run through it. Expect the obligatory 10-match unbeaten run when everybody regrets their bad start.

8) Sunderland - Steve Bruce's answer to having to choose between his three red hot strikers... play all three. You have to like that.

9) Bolton Wanderers - A true test going to Eastlands and they nearly got hammered. A wobble but it has raised some doubts.

10) Stoke City - They power their way around this league. Its not pretty but then not everybody can have pretty.

11) Blackburn - If a team is great at home it matters not one bit what you do away. Not if midtable is your address.

12) Birmingham City - A good point against one of the best teams in the league. The Blues may not grab the headlines - but they will stay in the league. There are many clubs who could learn this lesson.

13) Blackpool - While all others lose their heads, Blackpool get snowed in.

14) West Bromwich Albion - Impressive again. But what of the opposition? Did they take advantage of an unsettled Newcastle side. "You can only beat what is put in front of you" which may be true, but not necessarily an accurate guide to form.

15) Fulham - A decent effort at The Gunners but given Arsenal's recent home form it may be a chance missed. You cannot have faith they will pick up the necessary three points in any fixture.

16) Wolverhampton Wanderers - The performance was much better than the result. Story of the season - but it usually balances out.

17) Aston Villa - You cannot blame Gerard Houllier for showing his affection for the Liverpool crowd. They never got a chance to say goodbye, or good riddance if you were to get out the local press archives. Maybe Villa fans are starting to get a little sentimental about their old boss and his long ball game. You cannot take a season off in this league.

18) Newcastle United - As the world held its breath to see what Mike Ashley was ready to do following the bizarre sacking of one of the best coaches in the league many thought The Magpies were ready to push on. Like turning up at an empty room on your birthday suspecting a surprise party only to realise that nobody has actually remembered ... Newcastle got Alan Pardew. Oh dear.

19) West Ham United - Showing more fight than they did at Anfield is good but sadly not enough. The Hammers may have dug themselves too deep of a hole this time.

20) Wigan Athletic - Fighting back against Stoke to grab a point is not the worst result in the world. It does show that Latics cannot rely on their home form to stay in the league. More rabbits from hats required with the odds stacked against them on the road.