EPL season is being defined by slip ups by big clubs in most unpredictable year ever
IT's been called the most unpredictable Premier League season ever, and it's becoming clear that the champions come May will be the team that can hold their nerve and avoid costly slip ups against the smaller teams. Arsenal had the chance to push seven points clear at the top of the tree in their last start, but Everton - much to the rest of the league's delight - pegged them back with a late equaliser. Manchester United's ability to pick up wins against bottom teams is a lot surprising." Just eight points separate the top six teams, and it's not the big six-pointers between title rivals, rather the shock results, that have defined the season 15 games in. West Bromwich Albion occupy 15th on the ladder and sit just two points out of the relegation zone, but have taken points from Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton and Manchester United. The trend continues with Cardiff City and Aston Villa. The Welsh side have built somewhat of a fortress at home, Manchester City were victims of a 3-2 loss while Manchester United stumbled to draw from their trip across the border. United's stuttering - to put it nicely - form has been well publicised and the stats don't make for pretty reading for David Moyes in his first season under the microscope. Two 1-0 defeats to Everton and Newcastle in December gave the Red Devils their first back-to-back home defeats in 11 years, while United have already lost as many games this season (5) as they did all of last season on their way to the title. Across town and Manuel Pellegrini's City have been in imperious form at home, seven wins in seven matches with 29 goals to boot - but can't seem to get it together on the road. Away losses to cellar dwellers Sunderland, Aston Villa and Cardiff have hurt the Citizens while they could only manage draws at Stoke and Southampton. Thankfully for Pellegrini his rivals have also dropped plenty of points, but it's a worrying trend that needs to be turned around if City want to win silverware this season. London duo Chelsea aren't Tottenham aren't immune from the shock losses either. Spurs' shaky start to the campaign has delivered shock losses to Newcastle and West Ham and a 6-0 hammering at the hands of City that fans would rather pretend never happened. Jose Mourinho's Chelsea have also gone down to the West Brom and most recently lost to Stoke City. The Blues haven't yet displayed the defensive stability that defined Mourinho's first stint in charge. Liverpool have fared better - though a 3-1 loss to Hull City raised some questions - which will only grow louder now that Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge are set for extended stints on the sideline. The, resurgent pack although it's a long way to go this season and the title race will become considerably clearer once the festive fixtures pile up. Besides the opening day loss to Aston Villa and a 1-0 stumble to Manchester United, Arsene Wenger's side have shown consistency. The next month is shaping up as season-defining.The sceptics will tell you Arsenal have yet to face the best teams, but Liverpool, Everton, Tottenham and Manchester United beg to differ.Gunners lead the chasing
They won't be able to say that after the next two matches - Manchester City on Saturday night followed by Chelsea next weekend. Can the two teams in blue peg the Gunners back further and make this unpredictable title race even closer?
THE STATS
Arsenal - opening day 3-1 loss to Villa; 1-0 loss to Utd; drew 1-1 with Everton
Liverpool - Drew 2-2 with Everton, Swansea, lost 1-0 to Southampton; lost to Arsenal, beaten 3-1 by Hull.
Chelsea - lost 1-0 to Everton; lost 2-0 to Newcastle, drew 2-2 with West Brom, lost to Stoke 3-2
Man City - drew 0-0 with Stoke; lost 3-2 to Villa; lost 2-1 to Chelsea; lost 1-0 to Sunderland, 1-1 with Southampton
Spurs - lost 1-0 to Arsenal; drew 1-1 with Chelsea; lost 3-0 to West Ham; lost 1-0 to Newcastle and 6-0 to City.
Man United - drew 0-0 with Chelsea, lost 1-0 to Liverpool; lost 4-1 to City, 2-1 to West Brom, drew 1-1 with Southampton, drew 2-2 with Cardiff, drew 2-2 with Spurs, lost 1-0 to Everton then 1-0 Newcastle.
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