Big four all draw in a crazy title race

Good Monday to you all,

yesterday saw Chelsea drop two points to West Ham which meant all of the 'big four' drew at the weekend. We couldn't beat Boro, United couldn't beat Sp*rs and Liverpool drew 2-2 with Hull. Is it possible that we're all not as good as we think we are, or could it possibly be, tin-foil hats on, that the Premier League has doped up all the other teams?

16 footballing Ben Johnsons who we're finding it tough to cope with. In seriousness though, every one the so-called top teams blew their chance to close/increase whatever gap most relevant to them. Not that I care about the others, only that Arsenal failed to make up some ground. Still, the other results are mildly interesting, in a completely coincidental way.

We have no midweek fixture - although all eyes will be on the reserves tomorrow night when Eduardo makes his comeback - so it's going to be a long week until we play the Mugsmashers on Sunday. Despite our worries about the state and shape of the team I suppose we have to take some encouragement from our record in the big games this season.

When the pressure has been well and truly on we've pulled out performances against United and Chelsea and as topsy-turvy as our campaign has been it wouldn't be a surprise to see us do it again. Emmanuel Adebayor is taking a positive slant on the Boro game and looks ahead to Sunday, saying:

We were disappointed but at least we got something from the game. Now we have to get focused for what is a big game against Liverpool. Every game now is the game of the season and we just want to try to keep our dreams alive. Liverpool will be a big test but it’s vital that we stay positive. If we can get everyone working together then we have a great chance to beat them.

The fact that there's an 'If' about getting everyone working together for a game against Liverpool tells its own story but we have to hope they do. It really has been a crazy season though. Nobody has taken the chance to run away with it. And when you look at our results it wouldn't be unfair to think we could top right now. Fulham, Stoke and Hull in particular are games we should be winning - had we done so we'd be a point clear right now. Had we beaten Boro that one point would be three. Mad.

Instead we find ourselves 8 points from Liverpool going into the game on Sunday and as high pressure as the Chelsea and United games were this really is make or break for the season. Lose and there's little chance of making up that kind of gap. Win and it's 5 points, which is nothing. 

It's a vital couple of weeks coming up though. The Liverpool game is followed by an away fixture at Villa Park and with Martin O'Neill's side a point ahead of us in 4th place that's one we've got to get a result at too. We've got to be Scrooge-like in defence and like something Christmassy that scores a lot of goals at the other end. Pele the red-nosed reindeer? Frosty the goalman? I dunno.

Anyway, plenty of football to come during the festive period. Let's hope we're still in the relative thick of things come January.

Not much else happening really. Some transfer rumours involving Georgio Chiellini, the Juventus centre-half, but the Mirror says William Gallas would have to be part of the deal too.

Emmanuel Eboue says he was 'sad' at the reaction he got at the Wigan game but has promised to give 200% in every game to win them back over. Or rather he says Arsene Wenger has promised the fans will support him if he gives 200%. Which they will, as they would any player. Of course that's leaving aside that 200% is impossible. Unless he grafts a conjoined twin to his body to give him that extra 100% - DOUBLE EBOUE!

Right so, hope your weekend was fine. More tomorrow.