Title hopefuls Chelsea had a mixed bag of results in December.
After a 3-1 defeat at West Ham, the Blues hammered Danish minnows Nordsjaelland 6-1 at Stamford Bridge. Yet, that convincing win was not enough for Chelsea to progress from their Champions League group as they became the first holders not to reach the knock-out stage.
After beating Sunderland 3-1 at home, the Blues jetted out to Japan for the World Club Cup. They beat Monterrey 3-1 in their semi-final but failed to win the title after going down 1-0 to Corinthians, the South American champions.
Manager Rafael Benitez was quick to remind his critics that Chelsea were still involved in four competitions and his team went on to crush Leeds 5-1 at Elland Road and reach the semi-finals of the League Cup.
Last Sunday, at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea recorded their biggest Premier League win ever, thrashing Aston Villa 8-0.
For Chelsea stalwart Frank Lampard, the Aston Villa game was the 500th of his career.
After their away 1-0 win over Norwich in midweek, Chelsea meet Everton in another needle match at Goodison Park tomorrow.
Everton, who have high hopes of gaining a Champions League berth this season, have not lost to Chelsea at home in their last four Premier League matches: 2-0, 1-0, 2-1, 0-0.
Critics are suggesting that Everton manager David Moyes has built the best team in his 11-year reign.
Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was furious after Swansea’s Ashley Williams kicked the ball at the head of Robin van Persie, who was grounded, during the 1-1 draw last week.
After beating Newcastle 4-3 in a thrilling match on Boxing Day, the Red Devils, now seven points clear at the top, remain at Old Trafford to take on West Brom.
The Baggies followed up their home win over Norwich with another victory at struggling Queens Park Rangers.
Romelu Lukaku hopes that Chelsea will allow him to see out his season-long loan at West Brom.
Manchester City needed a stoppage-time goal from Gareth Barry to down Reading at home last weekend but the champions failed to keep up the pressure on United after going down to Sunderland 1-0 on Wednesday.
The Citizens travel to Norwich this afternoon.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was delighted with his side’s away win at Wigan as the Gunners were provisionally back in the Champions League zone.
Victory over Wigan was Arsenal’s third on the trot and they could stretch their run against a depleted Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium this evening.
Tottenham, fourth in the standings, have a tough match away to Sunderland in today’s early kick-off. In midweek, the Spurs easily overcame Aston Villa away but it will be a different matter altogether in the north-east.
Some good news for Tottenham came from Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor who indicated that he has no intention of changing his decision to retire from international football.
After their 4-0 home win over Fulham, Liverpool failed to maintain the momentum and lost 3-1 to Stoke on Wednesday night.
Tomorrow, the Reds travel to London to play Queens Park Rangers. This will be Liverpool’s fourth trip to the capital − Chelsea 1-1, Tottenham 1-2, West Ham 3-2.
Fulham failed to pick themselves up after the Liverpool defeat as they only managed to share the spoils with Southampton at Craven Cottage in their next outing.
The Londoners will remain in front of their own fans as they entertain Swansea.
Reports said Fulham have agreed terms with Standard Liege to sign goalkeeper Sinat Bolat.
Swansea City manager Michael Laudrup said he was looking to improve his side’s defending in set-pieces after they conceded a goal from a corner in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
Fixtures and forecast
Premier League
Arsenal-Newcastle (18.30) 1
Aston Villa-Wigan x
Fulham-Swansea x
Man. United-West Brom 1
Norwich-Man. City 2
Reading-West Ham x
Stoke-Southampton 1
Sunderland-Tottenham (13.45) X
Tomorrow:
Everton-Chelsea (14.30) X
Qpr-Liverpool (17.00) 2
Standings: Man. United 46; Man. City 39; Chelsea 35; Tottenham, Everton, West Brom 33; Arsenal 30; Stoke 28; Swansea, Liverpool, Norwich 25; West Ham United 23; Sunderland 22; Fulham 21; Newcastle United 20; Aston Villa 18; Southampton 16; Wigan 15; Reading, Qpr 10.
The Championship
Barnsley-Blackburn x
Bolton-Birmingham 1
Brighton-Watford (18.20) 1
Bristol City-Peterborough 1
Burnley-Leicester x
Cardiff-Millwall 1
Charlton-Derby 1
H’Dersfield-Sheff. Wed. (13.30) 1
Hull City-Leeds United (13.30) 1
Middlesbrough-Blackpool 1
N. Forest-Crystal Palace x
Wolves-Ipswich 1
League One
Bournemouth-Crawley 1
Carlisle United-Bury x
Colchester-Swindon 2
Leyton Orient-Walsall 1
Mk Dons-Coventry 1
Oldham-Crewe x
Portsmouth-Yeovil 1
Preston-Doncaster 1
Sheffield United-Hartlepool 1
Shrewsbury-Brentford 2
Stevenage-Notts County x
Tranmere-Scunthorpe 1
League Two
Afc Wimbledon-Oxford x
Aldershot-Torquay x
Bradford City-Rochdale 1
Burton-Southend x
Cheltenham-Bristol Rovers 1
Chesterfield-Morecambe 1
Dagenham-Port Vale x
Exeter City-Barnet 1
Fleetwood-York City 1
Gillingham-Northampton 1
Plymouth-Wycombe 1
Rotherham-Accrington 1
Hot Four
Manchester United
Stoke City
Cardiff City
Wolves