Since the turn of the new year and their 2-0 defeat away at Southampton, Arsene Wenger’s side have taken 30 points from 11 games – enough to put them five points clear at the top of our imaginary table.
They would be four points clear of Manchester United, who who themselves would be equal on points with Liverpool having caught up over course of the last two games. Brendan Rodgers’ side in turn two points ahead of Chelsea, whose coruscating early-season form means they are still the major favourites to lift the real title in May.
This table shows the form of the current top four in 2015
Manchester City are the real shockers – their 18 points would put them in eighth, equal on points with Swansea, who are on course for their highest Premier League total under Garry Monk.
Alan ‘Pardiola’ Pardew’s turnaround of Crystal Palace has them in fifth, on 23 points – just outside the Champions League places and level on points with Spurs. Proof, if it were needed, of the fine job the former Newcastle manager has done – especially considering they were in the relegation zone on January 1, a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.
Speaking of Newcastle – they are 17th since January 1 under John Carver, equal on points but behind their nearest and not so dearest Sunderland on goal difference. Three of those, of course, came in Sunday’s derby courtesy of the left boot of Jermain Defoe.
Jermain Defoe is responsible for three of Sunderland’s nine points since January 1
Aston Villa are rock-bottom, equal on points but with a worse goal difference than Queens Park Rangers, who they so thrillingly drew with at Villa Park last night.
Perhaps more shockingly, all but one of Villa’s points has come under Tim Sherwood – the Villains may yet rue a January that brought just a draw with Palace come the end of the season.
Aston Villa are rock-bottom, equal on points but with a worse goal difference than Queens Park Rangers, who they so thrillingly drew with at Villa Park last night.
Perhaps more shockingly, all but one of Villa’s points has come under Tim Sherwood – the Villains may yet rue a January that brought just that draw with Palace come the end of the season.
