So there seems to be a top 5 at the moment.....and possibly 6. But the question is who can keep it going ? Who is going to be top of the league at the beginning of 2009? Liverpool moved 3 points clear at the top after their famous victory over Chelsea, but there are 11 games to play between now and 2009. Anything could happen in the pursuit of those 33 available points.



(1st) Liverpool

3 points clear and the talk of the league having broken Chelsea's 4 year unbeaten run at home, but can they keep up this run of results. Can they keep relying on famous comebacks and last minute winners. Though you can't avoid the fact that they look more equipped to stay at the top than they ever have in the Premier League

Jamie Carragher

said: "People will be talking about us a bit more now because we are top of the league.
"Teams are going to want to knock us off there, we know that, but that's part of the game."

Rafa Benitez

said: "We have the quality and the mentality to fight against the top sides and anyone else.
"To win at Stamford Bridge was a really difficult thing to do and it sends a massive message to the other teams of what we can do and tells our fans what we are about.

"We can go to any stadium and win games."



(2nd) Chelsea

So far this season, Chelsea have looked unbeatable at times yet rather vulnerable at others. If any club in the league has the stregth in depth to get to the top and stay there, then surely it's Chelsea, but Scolari still has a lot of work to do to turn them into champions. No doubt they will be wounded after losing their home record to rivals Liverpool, but this may well just make them angry, which isn't good news for the rest of the league.

Petr Cech

warned: "Defeat happens in football and you have to forget about it and start again.
"We have the same number of points we had before Sunday and we have to bounce back with a victory.

"When something ends, something new begins. Now we have to make it the case here."

Luiz Felipe Scolari

said: "I'm more happy with this team I am coaching now than ever before in my life.
"Every job, I've wanted to see professional players with passion. I've seen that in this team. I think it's one of the best teams I've worked with in my life."





(3rd) Hull City

OK, so let's write off Hull City's chances of being top of the league by 2009 here and now. But hang on, haven't we been doing that and being proved wrong for the last 2 months? Whatever you say about the Tigers, they are in 3rd place purely on merit and nothing less. Of course the big question will always be whether they can keep it up, but they are currently showing no signs of letting up. The surprise package of the season are winning fans over, but they are winning game too....and convincingly. Their team ethic is as good as any club in the league.

Phil Brown

said: "I think there is this mentality that the top four are impregnable and unbeatable because of the amount of money they've spent.
"But having gone to the Emirates and got the three points off Arsenal it has given us hope and belief.

"If we bring our best game to the table then we might get something from the match."



(4th) Arsenal

As ever, Arsene Wenger has faith and belief in his youthful squad. No-one can argue that Arsenal don't know how to play football, but do the have the experience and big enough squad to maintain a title challenge. It's clear though that they could quite easily go on a run of a winning streak and by 2009 could amass enough points to see them hit the top spot. Their pace, youth and enthusiam along with the tactical nous and experience of their manager will see them go close.

Arsene Wenger

said: "We have talent, we have youth. Therefore, I believe we have enough quality to do it.
"We lack experience in some areas; I would not deny that. But you cant have everything.

"I believe we can compensate for that with desire to win."



(5th) Aston Villa

Of the also-rans, Aston Villa are most people's favourites to break into the top 4 this season. Martin O'Neill has, yet again, proved what a fine manager he is. He has bought well and more importantly moulded his squad into one of the most exciting, lethal and successful clubs in the country. Do they have enough to be a the top of the table by 2009? It will be a big ask for the Villans, but Martin O'Neill seems to regularly defy the odds.

Martin O'Neill

said: "The performance was terrific but over the next few weeks I expect the players to play, the people we have in the squad to be able to play the games and performance at a big level."
"There were terrific performances and our energy was really great. Our determination was as strong as I have ever wanted."

"We have some excellent players in terms of ability and the heart and desire which we showed."





(6th) Manchester United

The reigning English and European champions are languishing in 6th place (alright for some Spurs fans may claim), but this by no means whatsoever rules out Man Utd's chances of being top of the league come 2009. Their strike force is arguably the finest in Europe and that alone can perceivably see them retain the title. Big games after Christmas for Utd could be key in the title race.

Carlos Tevez

said: "I am convinced the entire squad is capable of maintaining the challenge throughout the season and staying at the top of the Premier League.
"After Christmas we have to play teams like Chelsea and Liverpool at home.

"We are going to be up there all the way throughout the season because we have the quality throughout the squad to be doing that."

"I think we have the squad capable of retaining the trophy.

"Whether we host teams here in Manchester or away we are capable of giving anyone a game and of beating anyone."