Manchester City are entitled to feel short-changed from their period of dominance over their celebrated neighbours United as the title race stays wide open
1 Only the partisan would bet on Manchester supremacy
Congratulations to Manchester City for leading English football at Christmas for the first time in the memory of all but their most veteran of supporters.
It is an achievement that deserves to be relished for those who travelled with their team down through the divisions and back again in their many thousands. But the neighbours, and closest challengers in every way, just will not go away.
City have made an impressively powerful statement over the first half of the campaign, but it is notable that their best ever period in top division football leaves them a mere two points ahead of Manchester United, whose response to that infamous 6-1 defeat has been to take three more points than City over the subsequent league games (22 points from 24).
The intrigue that will unfold over the second half of the season tantalises because while we know what United are capable of when the prizes are in sight, we have no idea how City will handle it when emotions intensify. Any neutrals out there care to put a significant bet on who will finish higher? The bookies, incidentally, are still offering shorter odds on City than United to win the league. Very crafty.
2 The Premier League's 20,000th goal means diddly squat
It is difficult to imagine Marc Albrighton's strike counted particularly highly in Alex McLeish's thoughts after another home disappointment for mid-table drifters Aston Villa. One way to help the manager to ingratiate himself would be a big result or two. But for a man who prided himself on a decent record against the elite whilst at Birmingham City, McLeish has been beaten every time by the big guns during his spell with Villa.
Although his team showed more appetite in their defeat to Arsenal than they did against Liverpool, with Albrighton and Barry Bannan both showing promise, any team who concede a headed match-winner to that gargantuan monster Yossi Benayoun is inevitably going to feel frustrated. But the biggest concern of all was the unprofessionalism epitomised by Alan Hutton. Villa are short of players at the moment. They need all the experience they can call upon. Hutton duly worked up an unnecessary head of steam and wound himself up for a completely predictable and foolhardy foul for which he was sent off. We can only imagine what went through the mind of Richard Dunne, whose performance at the back had been flawless. Sometimes it must be quite a challenge to keep your counsel back in the dressing room.
3 Roy Hodgson can wave his magic wand anywhere except the north-west
If a nomadic management career takes in 16 clubs and three national teams, it is reasonable for one or two pit-stops to turn out badly. Even Hodgson himself would be hard pressed to explain why his two worst experiences ? at Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool ? were so troublesome.
There were a few raised eyebrows when he took over at the Hawthorns so soon after flopping at Anfield, but West Bromwich Albion are clearly feeling the effects of Hodgson's wisdom.
Successive away wins take them into the top half of the table, a place the manager has challenged his players to stay. They were terrific in a humdinger of a game at St James' Park, and it is no coincidence that West Brom have found a cutting edge to go with their renewed confidence now that their preferred striking partnership of Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie are back fit. Hodgson is full of praise for his charges and their efforts to improve: "These players are exceptional in terms of character and willingness to practice. Everyone wants to play, not everyone wants to practise. That can be the difference between success and failure." That seems a sound enough motto.
4 Wigan's great escape starts here
Two points out of six at home is not normally reason for great enthusiasm, but Wigan Athletic's spirited points made against Chelsea and Liverpool over the past few days have been brave, and built on the kind of spirit that saw them through in the end last season. They have had moments this term, notably during a sequence of eight straight defeats, where it seemed impossible for them to conceive another act of miraculous escapology. But Roberto Mart�nez manages to instil in his team a willingness never to get too downhearted, however grim things seem.
Ali al-Habsi stole the show against Liverpool, crowning another strong display with a penalty save, but ahead of him their eagerness to keep trying the passing game Mart�nez preaches, whoever the opposition, is admirable. Next up, and with their eyes on an unlikely hat-trick of bonus points, is a trip to Old Trafford.
5 There won't be seven Scottish managers in the Premier League for much longer
Admittedly, this is not exactly a Eureka moment. In fact we will learn something about the Premier League we never thought possible if Scotland has the same headcount by the end of the season. Actually make that the end of January.
Blackburn Rovers's tussle against Bolton Wanderers was obviously going to pile even more pressure on one or other of Steve Kean and Owen Coyle, and while the former was clearly garnering more headlines, the breathing space for the latter is a relief for a manager facing the biggest test of his career so far. A year ago Coyle was manager of the month material. This season Bolton have lost more games in the division than anyone else.
They do need to consolidate in their next three games, against Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton. The one Scot, apart from Sir Alex, who can sit down for their Christmas dinner in very good cheer is Paul Lambert. Norwich City are the only one of the promoted teams in the top half of the table. Lambert is sitting prettier than the likes of David Moyes and Alex McLeish, managers whose lack of resources are often used as an explanation for their resources. Lambert is proving how a little can sometimes go a very long way.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2011/dec/22/five-things-premier-league
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