1. Liverpool are looking classy. I keep expecting the bubble to burst, but if they maintain this consistency then they are genuine title contenders.

2. Shay Given put in one of the greatest performances by a keeper who conceded five goals in Premier League history.

3. The slack defending that allowed Fulham to secure a point was a costly slip-up for Chelsea. They won’t want to be dropping too many points to mid-table outfits.
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1. Arsenal are out of the title race even if Arsene Wenger isn’t willing to admit it.

2. Robbie Keane is capable of becoming a regular goalscorer for Liverpool.

3. Hull must have had a bit too much turkey on Christmas Day. They were abysmal against Manchester City.
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1. Flying to the other side of the world to face pub teams from every continent does not help you in the Premier League title race, even if does mean Sepp Blatter calls you the best team in the world.

2. It is a good job Rafa Benitez’s Sky box is in good working order or his tactical decisions might have been scuppered as he directed operations against Arsenal from his sofa.

3. Mark Hughes is going to get sacked. Sorry Sparky, but we concluded this about Paul Ince last week… And West Brom fans seemed to agree as they chanted: “You’re getting sacked in the morning” towards the Manchester City boss.
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1. Paul Ince is a gonner. Last week I said that defeat to Liverpool (when Blackburn put in a good performance) should not get him sacked, but I cannot see the Rovers board tolerating 3-0 losses to Wigan.

2. Drawing is the new winning. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man Yoo all picked up a solitary point this weekend. I suspect none of them will be too pleased with that return from fixtures against Middlesbrough, Hull, West Ham and Tottenham respectively.

3. Life post-Roy Keane is just wonderful on Wearside.
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1. Arsenal fans really hate Emmanuel Eboue. He had a disaster of a match, but he probably had enough on his plate with the Wigan fans jeering without the Gooners getting in on the act.

2. Arsene Wenger really hates Emmanuel Eboue. Yes, we established he was awful against Wigan but he had been on the field for the best part of an hour. Taking him off in the final minute of the match really hung him out to dry.

3. No manager is better than an unstable manager. Sunderland came within a whisker of getting a point against Manchester United minus Roy Keane.
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1. If you are on a yellow card, don’t commit a deliberate handball. That’s just pushing your luck.

2. A fit and in-form Robin Van Persie is a dangerous beast, especially when you let him stand offside.

3. Fortress Stamford Bridge needs a new moat building or something - it is looking pretty open to attack at the minute.
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1. Goals are so last season. Finding the net is out of fashion and wearing pink boots is in.

2. Arsenal’s problems don’t begin and end with William Gallas. Arsene Wenger seems to have adopted a very self-indulgent approach to management in recent times. January will be the time for him to swallow his pride and spend the money that every man and his dog knows is available on a quality centre-back and an experienced, combative midfielder.

3. We all know Man Yoo favour a late charge after Christmas, but Fergie will be disappointed that his side failed to take advantage of all their rivals dropping points.
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1. A Cristiano Ronaldo free-kick is a more dangerous set-piece than a Rory Delap throw in.

2. This season’s Arsenal side might just be the most frustrating side in history.

3. Nicolas Anelka should definitely have gone into my fantasy football team. It looks like Le Sulk could be in for his best season since he was a wispy-moustached teenager at Arsenal.
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1. Vedran Corluka has escaped the razor for a few more days at least.

2. Arsenal are not going to win the title, but hopefully they proved to themselves and their critics that they are not a poor time - just poorly mentally equipped for games they ought to win.

3. Joe Kinnear, on a lesser scale to Arsene Wenger, will also be telling his side that it is pointless winning games against bigger teams (Aston Villa) if you are going to slip up against lowlier opposition (Fulham) a few days later.
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1. Having taken plenty of stick from Spurs fans (on this site and others) when I had written articles saying that the club had to get rid of Damien Comolli and Juande Ramos to stop the rot, it would be fascinating if the same people could come forward with their opinions now!

2. Harry Redknapp will be receiving the freedom of Tottenham soon at this rate. A stunning turnaround at White Hart Lane by ‘Arry and a fantastic win against a team that was top-of-the-table.

3. Perhaps Comolli should be invited back - his summer signings don’t look so dodgy under a new manager!
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