The EPL Compass

And at the other end of the table it's only a matter of time before Pompey are doomed.

Navigating North

The top two

Chelsea and Manchester United showed once again that they are head and shoulders above the rest.

One swaggering past a hapless opponent in the manner of Champions, the other keeping a cool head in a derby match and clinically disposing of a supposed rival.

Despite all manner of off-field upheaval and a lack of spending, both clubs have stayed ahead of the field, and are pulling away at the business end.

John Terry

Yes I know there are some front page issues, but Terry’s ability to compartmentalise his life is remarkable.

Another top drawer display from the former England captain.

Like many, I don’t care much for him as a person, but as a player this last fortnight seems to have focussed his mind on the job.

Liverpool

Crisis, what crisis? Liverpool are back in fourth, where they may feel they belong.

Things are gradually getting better for Rafael Benitez, but it wasn’t plain sailing in the Merseyside derby.

More shocking refereeing had the Reds down to ten despite Marouane Fellaini’s horrible tackle. It was an inexplicable decision to send one off – Sotirios Kyrgiakos – but not the other.

And things could’ve been completely different if Tim Cahill had found the net just before half time. As he made the header I know where my mortgage was.

Liverpool are not out of the woods yet but you feel that once Fernando Torres returns everything will be ok again.

Dirk Kuyt

Dependable, tireless and a match winner. Liverpool’s best this season and one of the league’s most under-rated.

Kevin Phillips

A born finisher at a club without one. And yet he’s kicking his heels on the bench.

Super Kev was the sole reason Birmingham won the derby in the last ten minutes and he could just be the spark Alex Mcleish has needed to get his team’s home displays going.

Now the Blues are pushing hard for a Europa League spot - a great, great achievement.

Hull City

Long time since I’ve put them in the first half of this blog... credit where it’s due though and Hull deserve their moment after a stunning win over Manchester City.

The quality came from their vastly experienced men George Boatang – his goal was a cracker – and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Add to that a new found defensive resilience and an emerging goalkeeper in Boaz Myhill and Hull deserved the win.

Brian Laws

A first ever Premier League win for the likeable and capable Laws, who has been around the traps without much luck and now has a relegation battle with Burnley on his hands.

Laws played the transfer market in January, and two of his boys were the difference against West Ham. New signing Danny Fox with one, re-signed striker David Nugent with the other.

Stoke

Helped by a diabolical red card dished out to Blackburn's Chris Samba, but no doubt Stoke were good value for the win.

The cornerstones – a dominant display at the back from Ryan Shawcross and an effervescent showing from Matt Etherington. He has been in the news for the wrong reasons recently but he is delivering on the promise he showed as a teenager at Peterborough.

Sinking South

Arsenal

Once again the title charge has come to a shuddering halt against the very best. Arsenal are too good for seventeen teams, and not good enough to beat the other two.

Destroyed on the counter against Man United and it happened again at the Bridge, as Chelsea swept from one end to the other to grab the second.

Gael Clichy again tormented, Arsene Wenger again frustrated.

Another trophyless domestic season for Arsenal, who have not claimed silverware since Patrick Vieira left the club.

The fourth place challengers

A miserable weekend.

Man City defended poorly again in defeat at Hull, and seemed far removed from the side that took the game to city rivals United in the League Cup. They need a strong settled central defensive pair and fast.

For Tottenham and Aston Villa, there were many positives from their encounter but they’ll be overshadowed by the loss of two points.

Spurs dominated possession and created chance after chance. Villa defended superbly. Ultimately this sort of stalemate may cost them both.

Portsmouth

What comes first? Being wound up or being relegated?

West Ham

Sinking deeper and deeper into the mire, despite a goal from new boy Ilan. They can’t keep giving teams starts and expect to comeback.

Big Sam Allardyce

Once again a hammering is down to the referee. No fault of his own players or tactics at all.

I can understand protecting your side but a smidge of realism and honesty might go down well at Ewood, Sam.

Rovers were a shambles.