The Premier League isn't over yet for 2024, but we've enjoyed the last bit of action before Christmas.
Parting celebrations are well underway, with the current hectic period often proving to be defining in seasons of many years.
The league so far has been a bit boring. We can say with some certainty that Manchester City's title run will be stopped at four and Southampton is doomed, but we cannot assume for sure what might happen during the second half of 2024/25.
The form chart on Christmas Day depicts a topsy-turvy division, with two innocent sides going into the campaign impressing towards the top, while the champions rank among one of the division's most woeful outfits.
|
POSITION |
Team |
Played |
GAIN |
Drawn |
lost |
Goal difference |
+/- |
points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
Chelsea |
5 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
+9 |
14:5 |
13 |
|
2. |
Bournemouth |
5 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
+7 |
11:4 |
13 |
|
3. |
Nottingham Forest |
5 |
4 |
0 |
1 |
+2 |
8:6 |
12 |
|
4. |
Arsenal |
5 |
3 |
2 |
0 |
+9 |
13:4 |
11 |
|
5. |
Aston Villa |
5 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
7:7 |
9 |
|
6. |
Newcastle |
5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
+6 |
14:8 |
8 |
|
7. |
Liverpool |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
+5 |
13:8 |
8 |
|
8. |
Crystal Palace |
5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
-1 |
8:9 |
8 |
|
9. |
Fulham |
5 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
+2 |
7:5 |
7 |
|
10. |
Brentford |
5 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
10:10 |
6 |
|
11. |
Man Utd |
5 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
-1 |
8:9 |
6 |
|
12. |
Everton |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
4:4 |
5 |
|
13. |
West Ham |
5 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
-4 |
7:11 |
5 |
|
14. |
Tottenham |
5 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
12:12 p.m |
4 |
|
15. |
Man City |
5 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
-1 |
7:8 |
4 |
|
16. |
Leicester |
5 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
-8 |
6:14 |
4 |
|
17. |
Brighton |
5 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
-4 |
6:10 |
3 |
|
18. |
Wolves |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
-5 |
7:12 |
3 |
|
19. |
Ipswich |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
-6 |
3:9 |
3 |
|
20. |
Southampton |
5 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
-10 |
2:12 |
2 |
A disappointing draw at Goodison Park was not enough to see Chelsea drop from top spot in the form table. The Blues are unbeaten since October, and they had won their previous five Premier League exits before the Sunday jam.
Everton have helped bitter rivals Liverpool's title hopes by dropping points from their two main challengers in recent weeks. Before holding off the Blues, the Toffees secured a point at the Emirates. Arsenal were left frustrated by Sean Dyche's side on home soil and a win there would likely have seen them top the Christmas form table. The Gunners have recorded 11 points from their previous five and are unbeaten since the November international break.
Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest are the two surprise packages who have taken more points than title hopefuls Arsenal. In fact, the Cherries, after winning 3-0 at Old Trafford for their second successive season, are level on 13 points with Chelsea at the summit. Forest are right behind with 11 having won four of their previous five.
League Leaders Liverpool have shown some weaknesses in recent weeks but still have a healthy buffer at the summit thanks to Everton's recent work. The postponement of the Merseyside derby means they have played a game less than everyone else in the form table, but two wins and a pair of draws see them stay in seventh place.
Life under Ruben Amorim has been a mixed bag Manchester United so far, and their 3-0 loss to Bournemouth was a huge blow. The Portuguese manager has yet to create any momentum at Old Trafford, with United having won two of their previous five in the league, but the size of the job at Amorim's disposal is monstrous.
United are 11th in the form table and are better than the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City. This could be a year for cups in north London given Spurs' indifference in the Premier League. Ange Postecoglou's side have performed superbly but have struggled mightily in the absence of many top defenders. City have been almost inexplicably poor, although Spurs' woes have yet to extend to a win in 12.
The Cityzens' 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest proved to be just a false dawn as they have since been beaten in the Manchester derby and away to Aston Villa.
Brighton have made a superb start to the season under Fabian Hurzeler, but the Seagulls are in the midst of a shambles having failed to win any of their previous five. They sit 17th in the form table and on the brink of the relegation zone. Thankfully, there are some pretty awful teams competing in the top flight. Wolves, Ipswich and Southampton occupy the bottom three on current form and league tables.