It seems this year no team from the ‘top 4’ is going to run away with the league. With Manchester United away at the World Club Cup and having watched Arsenal and Liverpool play out an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Emirates, Chelsea had all the incentive required to win their match away at Everton and leapfrog to the top of the table. But once again they failed to take the initiative and it is Liverpool who remains top over Christmas.

John Terry correctly saw a straight red card awarded for his horrendous studs up challenge on Leon Osman and will now miss Chelsea’s hectic Christmas schedule.

It is hard to put a finger on what is wrong with Chelsea this season – under Jose Mourinho or even Avram Grant they would be 6-7pts clear at the top by now. Is it Scolari? Is it an injury list that includes Michael Essien and Ricardo Carvalho? Where do Chelsea fans point the finger of blame?