EPL this month

The new year is upon us, so who did well in the last month of 2007. The hot teams in December

Top Teams this month
Arsenal- After the busy Christmas matches, the title is looking like a 2 horse race. People may have expected Man Utd to be there, but Arsenal? Too young, too inexperience and without Thierry Henry...right? Well, they are top of the EPL. Even with the long-term injury of Robin van Persie, the Gunners are still going strong and manager Arsene Wenger seems determined to have his team go all the way this season. I wouldn't bet againest him.

Manchester United - Like I said above, the EPL has turned into a 2 horse race. And as everyone thought, Man Utd is there and thereabouts. Wayne Rooney's return after injury will be welcome news to all the Man Utd fans in Singapore and the defence is as good as always. Why do people keep saying they are an attacking team, I find them to be a very good defensive one. I fully expect them to be there at the end of the season.

Surprise Team this month
Chelsea- I have been surprised by the performance of Chelsea this month. I find them surprising good! Yes, a lot of you will disagree with me but just look at that injury list. Terry, Lampard (over-rated though he is) are just some of the names on it. Almost 3/4 of the first team is out, and they are still there in third. For that, the Chelsea fans must thank Andriy Shevchenko who had been scoring for fun...till he join the injury list as well! What bad luck, but they are still there.

Disappointing Teams this month
Derby- It's over. Everyone expected the Rams to go down after this season but even before Christmas, they are now so far behind....well it's over. I feel for manager Billy Davies who was sacked for the poor performance of Derby, but I don't think there was much he could have done. The team just isn't good enough.

Liverpool- Rafa, what are you doing? This cry has been heard before but manager Rafael Benitez has really did this month. The only certain thing in the Liverpool team is that Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will play if fit. Why does Rafa keep playing Dirk Kuyt and Harry Kewell? Why does he not give Peter Crouch (or even Andriy Voronin) a decent chance in attack? No one knows. I said that Liverpool was the most likely champion at the start of the season; so much for that idea.

Newcastle- Manager Sam Allardyce is most comfortable in the 4-5-1 formation, but he just don't have the players for the system. So players are been played out of position, and the fans are all scratching their heads at the teamsheet. Alan Smith as a defensice midfielder? Not helping of course is the expected implosion of Joey Barton who is in trouble with the law again. A bad month for Newcastle and unless they start winning soon, Big Sam will be out of a job.