Another London visit for pace-setters Liverpool

This evening, Premier League leaders Liverpool will play in London for the second time this season, following their win at Chelsea, when they face Harry Redknapp's Tottenham Hotspur.

At Stamford Bridge, Liverpool halted Chelsea's impressive record of 86 league matches without a defeat − a run that began in March 2003 and spanned four seasons. The previous record belonged to Liverpool who had gone 49 home league matches without losing in the English top flight between 1978 and 1980.

Thanks to their victory over Chelsea, Liverpool pulled clear at the top of the standings and consolidated their position with a hard-earned home win against Portsmouth on Wednesday.

For the first time since Rafael Benitez took over at Anfield, Liverpool look serious contenders for the championship and are strong enough to challenge the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and champions Manchester United.

Tottenham's first win of the season came last weekend after they beat Bolton Wanderers at home. Former manager Juande Ramos paid the price for the team's poor start and the change at the helm has had a positive effect so far.

Redknapp's arrival sparked an immediate reaction at Spurs who staged a dramatic rally at Arsenal in midweek to draw the derby 4-4.

Chelsea back in groove

Stamford Bridge. Chelsea forgot all about the home upset to Liverpool as they thumped surprise package Hull City 3-0 in midweek. The Londoners will return to the 'Bridge' keen to kick off another impressive run in their match against Sunderland, who lost at Stoke on Wednesday.

Chelsea were delighted to hear that midfielder Michael Essien could be back in action in January, a month ahead of schedule.

Old Trafford. After the 1-1 draw at Everton, Manchester United returned to home comforts on Wednesday to topple West Ham 2-0, courtesy of two goals from FifPro best player Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Red Devils remain at Old Trafford this weekend to entertain Phil Brown's Hull.

Brown took charge of Hull last season following a spell as coach of Derby.

In midweek Brown saw his Tigers succumb to Chelsea in what was only their second home defeat.

Britannia Stadium. Arsenal looked stunned on Wednesday as they let victory escape from their grasp against Tottenham, having been 4-2 ahead with only a minute of regular time left. They will now look to make amends for that upset by beating Stoke City today.

Stoke are out of the relegation zone. Arsene Wenger has warned his players that every mistake committed on the field of play could prove costly in the race for the title. The Gunners are six points adrift of the leaders.

St James' Park. Newcastle chalked up three priceless points when they beat West Brom 2-1 at home earlier this week.

On Monday night, they play high-flyers Aston Villa, who gained another victory at Villa Park against Blackburn to climb to fourth place.

Joe Kinnear, the Newcastle manager, pleaded with the fans to back Joey Barton after all the trouble he has encountered. Michael Owen has high hopes of making his return from injury for the match against the Midlanders.

Fratton Park. For the second time in the last decade, Portsmouth have lost Harry Redknapp, this time to Tottenham. Pompey are now in the hands of Redknapp's former assistant, Tony Adams.

In midweek the southcoast side lost 0-1 to Liverpool. Wigan, their opponents this afternoon, have lost again, their third defeat in a row, at Fulham.

Portsmouth, who now face another challenge to fend off interest from Tottenham for their top players, have assured the fans that they did their utmost to keep Redknapp at Fratton Park.

Reebok Stadium. Having lost all the points in their match against Everton at home, Bolton take on Manchester City in a Lancashire derby tomorrow. It is a shame that the Trotters fans always turn against their manager Gary Megson when their team lose.

After their loss at Middlesbrough, the Citizens extended goalkeeper Joe Hart's contract by another five years.

Goodison Park. Everton followed their home draw against Manchester United with a three-pointer, their third away from home, at Bolton.

Against Fulham today, the fans have high hopes of breaking their home hoodoo, being the only side not to win at their own patch this season.

Riverside Stadium. This week, Gareth Southgate's Middlesbrough gained a valuable victory after beating Manchester City 2-0.

Today, Boro cross swords with Gianfranco Zola's West Ham. After a sparkling opening, the amiable Italian is now finding the going tough and the upset to Manchester United was the Hammers' fourth on the trot.

Last season, West Ham beat M'boro 2-1 (Ashton, Parker − Wheater) but in the remaining nine Premier League clashes, the Londoners only managed a draw and lost eight.

Ewood Park. Paul Ince was delighted to watch Benni McCarthy mark his return from injury by scoring at home to Middlesbrough. In midweek, Blackburn lost all the points at Aston Villa. They remain on the road to play guests to West Brom.