So what did we learn from Boxing Day's full slate of games in the Premier League? Quite a bit, as a matter of fact.

1. Liverpool have no chance of taking the title: From what I'm reading, Liverpool's lucky win at Derby still keeps them in the title hunt. Rubbish. This team have not played like title contenders for some time. Even last week's victory over Pompey, impressive as it was on the scoreboard, did not dazzle. Rafa Benitez's men were outplayed for large stretches at Derby by a team that are effectively a mid-table Championship side. Had the Reds lost or drawn the game - as they should have if there was any justice in this world, Scousers everywhere would be calling for Benitez's head. As such, I expect Manchester City to reclaim fourth place against Blackburn tonight (Thursday) and solidify that lead after Liverpool's visit this weekend.

2. Chelsea are not title contenders, either: Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko put on a solid show, but they cannot replace Didier Drogba. Defensively, the Blues do not inspire confidence. Sorry, but I have no faith in the Ashley Cole-Ricardo Carvalho-Alex-Paolo Ferreira back four. Petr Cech is terrible and would be sitting on the bench if Avram Grant had any experienced options to replace him with.

3. The Premiership is now a two-horse race: Mark April 12 on your calendars, because that's when Arsenal travel to Manchester United - in all likelihood to settle the title.

4. Spurs have definitely, 100 per cent, turned the corner: Juande Ramos' side may not make it all the way to fifth again, but they'll be solidly in Europe by season's end - assuming Dimitar Berbatov does not leave and remains healthy.

'Mark April 12 on your calendars, because that's when Arsenal travel to Manchester United, in all likelihood to settle the title'


5. Aston Villa and Portsmouth are Euro-worthy: Martin O'Neill has Villa playing like a unit and believing in themselves. What impressed me most at Stamford Bridge was how they carried on fighting when Chelsea took the lead - and the initiative - with the man advantage early in the second half. Meanwhile Pompey frustrated Arsenal's high-octane attack and held the Gunners to their first goalless game all season. Along with Everton, Manchester City and now Spurs, these five teams make up the Premier League's quasi-elite (after the Big Four, though frankly I'm not sure Liverpool even belong in that category any more).

6. Wigan are Premiership-worthy: Don't look now, but Steve Bruce has worked some magic since his arrival. Seven points in the last three games and eight in the last five have lifted Latics out of the relegation zone.

7. Martin Jol was right about Fulham: They don't have enough weapons to survive in the Premier League. I just hope Clint Dempsey gets picked up somewhere if and when they are relegated.