I was planning to get the top 10 into this installment but what dya know, it turns out there was a bit more writing than expected. So, shortly Ill post another write-up that focuses on the newly formed Top 3 - and lets be honest they deserve their own write up. In the meantime, join me over the break for a rundown of the best of the rest...<!--more-->Everton

It wouldnt be an English Premier League season without Everton getting off to a slow start. It happens year after year without fail. I wasnt convinced of their credentials to lift as the season went on, but theyve been randomly picking up enough points to give themselves breathing space from the bottom clubs.

Their complex financial issues continue to be their Achilles heel while Davie Moyes continues to be their saviour, working with both hands tied behind his back. Theres been mistakes of course, nobody, including Moyes, is immune to that and getting rid of Yakubu certainly seems to be one of them, but sometimes he must feel like hes farting against thunder. It might not be pretty, indeed, some of his line-ups would bring a tear to a glass eye. Neville and Heitinga in the centre of midfield for instance but its a results business and on that score, Moyes is a success.

Tim Howards recent goal against Bolton means that hes now scored as many as Saha this season and is only two goals behind Evertons top goalscorer(s). You dont need to be Stephen Hawking to see where their problems lie, at least on the park.

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Baines continues to fire in crosses but to no avail, and how the Everton supporters must wish that Duncan “Big Dunc” Ferguson would do a Scholes and pull his boots back on, to get on the end of Baines delicious centres. Back to reality though and Donovan arriving is excellent news and could help Everton pick up the results required that will help them to a top-half finish … just.

Stoke

Stoke have added another string to their bow by learning how to pick up a few wins on the road. Theyre not scoring many but their eight goals from ten games has ensured four wins, thats the same amount of wins as theyve gained at home. Their results at home have dried up a touch this year but they remain a formidable opponent. Liverpool and Spurs have lost at the Brittannia while Man United were held to a draw.

Stoke remain in the Europa League and take it more seriously than most so a potential problem for them will be fatigue later in the season. Jon Walters for instance has already been involved in 31 games (26 starts) for Stoke, plus a couple of international matches.

Itll take an exceptional effort to keep producing the same level of performance for the remainder of the season. In the meantime, with their impressive defensive line as well as the attacking threat of Etherington, Walters and Crouch theyll put enough points on the board for a comfortable mid-table finish.

Sunderland

Although, the turnaround shown by The Black Cats since Martin ONeill took over isnt completely unexpected it is still a remarkable achievement. Theyve won four, drawn 1, lost 1 (at Spurs) in the League. Steve Bruce won two out of 14!

ONeills first month in charge led to the Manager of the Month award and since then Sunderland have destroyed Wigan in their backyard as well as taking full points off Man City, oh yes, plus a comfortable FA Cup victory. The Celtic fans used to call him The Messiah, years later they probably still do.

Sessegnons performances have picked up, McLean has been given a chance (and taken it) while James Vaughan has given a new lease of life. They were hovering around the relegation zone when ONeill took over, theyre now up to tenth and I expect them to move up further still.

Newcastle

Newcastle were relegation candidates for many this season and quite rightly so. Owner Mike Ashleys determination to get their highest-earners off the wage bill, saw the Geordies lose some of their biggest players. Big transfer fees were involved but the majority of the money hasnt quite found its way back into the team.

However, some of the money available went to good causes. Ba has been an absolute sensation while Cabaye has shown that hes a player.

Relegation was quickly dismissed and talk of a place in Europe is now the chat. The fixtures have been reasonably kind for Newcastle as they contemplate the next month without Ba and surely his fellow contender for Newcastle Player of the Year, Cheick Tiote.

These two have been central to Newcastles excellent start to the season and as such the next month is absolutely crucial as Newcastle try to show that they can survive without them.

Ive got them just edging out their Northeast rivals Sunderland in what would have to be classed as a successful season under the circumstances.

Chelsea

Chelsea are a team in transition but there is little sign of progress. Misfiring centre-forwards and a leaky defence that used to treasure clean sheets – going all the way back to Mourinhos days- are not helping matters.

A common criticism of AVBs tactics is his insistence on playing a high line with his defence, which means with the relatively slow Terry and Ivanovic at the back theyre prime for getting picked off. Gary Cahill (who certainly doesnt lack speed) should be more suited to AVBs team.

There have been question marks about AVBs tactical astuteness and his ability to make game-winning changes when theyre under pressure and comments have already been made about his credentials for the job. He is only a few months older than Drogba after all.

There has also been a few leaks to the media, usually regarding Lampard, these leaks havent come from AVBs PR camp. It appears that things are far from rosy and the clearing out of some disgruntled Chelsea legends would appear to be on AVBs agenda and quite rightly so if he wants to have any chance of success at the club.

Liverpool

Its a familiar story for Liverpool as they manage to take points off the top teams but fail to punish teams below them in the table. They simply dont put the ball in the back of the net often enough.

£35 million signing Andy Carroll has so far failed miserably. He is one of the most frustrating players Ive ever seen. He simply doesnt look like he tries hard enough. I dont remember the last time I saw him go faster than jogging speed. He scored in the FA Cup and now has an opportunity to kick on from here with Suarez suspended. Time will tell if he has what it takes.

Suarez is supremely talented but some of his finishing has been wayward. To be fair he has been unlucky a fair few times with his shots hitting the woodwork and with him now sitting on the bench for eight, theres a fair chance that by the end of the year he will have seen more wood than Jenna Jameson.

Gerrard back from injury is a huge boost for the Reds and will compensate somewhat for Suarezs absence, but as another team in transition theyll do well to achieve better than fifth.

Arsenal

The King is Back! A debut that Thierry Henry and Gooners around the globe could only ever have dreamed about it. Peeling off his marker, an opening of the shoulder and a slide-rule pass into the far corner – a classic Henry goal that was a step back in time.

Its unrealistic to expect him to replicate this on a game-to-game basis but he has shown he still has enough about him to make an impact.

His signing has come at a good time also with Robin Van Persies goals slowing to a reasonable amount. Gervinho, Walcott, Ramsey, Arteta and Song all have goals in them but havent quite managed to take the pressure off RVP this year. There are others also but they appear to be more suited to sitting on the periphery rather than stepping forward – Arshavin, Chamakh, Rosicky to name a few.

Nonetheless, RVPs goals have helped to put Arsenal into 4th and a UCL place at this moment and a forward partner of Henry should be very much welcomed. It certainly gave the Emirates a lift and the atmosphere was crackling, which isnt always the case.

Wilshere should be just about ready for first team action by the time Henry leaves which will be a major boost for the Gunners &amp; as long as RVP stays fit then they are on course for a 4th place finish.

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