Premier League clubs fight for position in tight race for fourth place
LONDON --
Nothing, in the end, was clarified by last weekend's game at Anfield. The biggest question in the Barclays Premier League -- who will take fourth spot -- still remains unanswerable with nearly half the season gone.
If Martin Skrtel hadn't scored his dramatic equalizer in stoppage time, we'd have believed that Arsenal were firmly on course to earn their usual shot at the UEFA Champions League. But at Anfield there had been, as Brendan Rodgers said, much of last season's intensity about Liverpool -- if not the cutting edge supplied then by Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.
So Liverpool, with Sturridge hoping to return after Christmas and being treated for muscle problems in the gym of the Boston Red Sox, could be back in the hunt soon.
As could Arsenal's great rivals Tottenham, who are level with Arsene Wenger's team on points going into the Christmas program and full of optimism about the work of new coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Then there are West Ham. Sam Allardyce's men hold fourth place right now and will be relishing the big tests coming up -- a Boxing Day visit to Chelsea, whose title credentials have just been enhanced by a majestic display at Stoke City, followed by Arsenal's visit to Upton Park two days later.
If you thought Arsenal struggled to cope with Peter Crouch and Stoke the other day, let's see how they fancy the new, and apparently improved Andy Carroll.
West Ham have to take as many points as possible from these fixtures, with another home game against West Bromwich on New Year's Day. Crazy as you may think it is for England to lay on so much soccer over the holiday period, the additional challenge to the East London club comes up almost immediately afterwards.
The African Cup of Nations is around the corner and West Ham are going to suffer more than most. No fewer than three important players are going; Alex Song with Cameroon; Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho with Senegal. They are likely to miss Song and Kouyate in midfield every bit as much as striker Sakho's goal threat.
Yes, we know what you're thinking. If Allardyce didn't want this dilemma, why did he sign these players?
The same question might be asked of Alan Pardew, who will lose Cheick Tiote, Papiss Cisse and Mehdi Abeid from his Newcastle squad. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Arsenal lose no one, and Manchester City can probably get by without Yaya Toure, magnificently though his form is restored.
The answer is that neither West Ham nor Newcastle have a budget that compares with the big beasts of the Premier League jungle. They can't be so picky or strategic. Allardyce is not ready to accept the realities of soccer's pecking order, though. Having spent much of last season with his future in doubt, he'd love to guide the club into UEFA's Europa League at the very least.
With Sakho due to head off for Equatorial Guinea after the FA Cup tie against Everton on Jan. 6, Allardyce will be especially anxious that Carroll remains fit.
The Englishman's fitness record is not good, but national coach Roy Hodgson will also be keeping fingers crossed that he can get a long run of games, for the signs are that Carroll's movement has benefited from the special coaching of former England forward Terry Sheringham.
Arsenal spend Boxing Day at home to Queens Park Rangers, who need to do something about their away form because the goals of Charlie Austin alone will not keep them out of relegation trouble.
Arsenal's rival Tottenham need to keep their encouraging sequence of results going at Leicester before Manchester United arrive at White Hart Lane. Then there are only the final four days of the year before Chelsea visit North London, so it's going to be hectic.
And exciting? Spurs fans have endured too much disillusion to be holding their breath -- and it's probably still a little early in Pochettino's reign to be expecting a breakthrough. But you never know. With Liverpool requiring to make up points, West Ham having to cope with the African Cup of Nations and Arsenal blowing so hot and cold, anything can happen.
It really is the most fascinating period of the Premier League right now. Chelsea are the clear-cut favorites for the title and City so much the more impressive of the Manchester pair -- despite United's revival under Louis van Gaal -- will surely secure second place in a tight race. To finish outside the top four would be seen as signalling the end of the Wenger era. His players have a lot to fight for.
So, while I have no hesitation in wishing you a carefree Christmas, it's fair to say that they are not going to have one.
