After Arsenal's 0-0 draw with Chelsea, two points separates Liverpool (1st) and Everton (5th)

AFTER Arsenal's 0-0 draw with Chelsea, two points separates Liverpool (1st) and Everton (5th) heading into Christmas.

LIVERPOOL. Top of the league at Christmas. Who would have thought?

While fans at Anfield will be jubilant as they head to Christmas lunch on top of the Premier League table, they'll know all too well that the coming days will sort out the men from the boys.

Although seven of the last nine leaders at Christmas have won the EPL, Liverpool were, of course, the last side not to win the EPL after leading into the festive season (2008-2009) and their title credentials will get an almighty examination with Manchester City and Chelsea away on Friday (EDT) and Monday (EDT).

There are just two points separating the top five (Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Everton) and then six points down to Manchester United in eighth, with Tottenham and Newcastle United in between.

"It is a unique situation, an unbelievable championship because we are all there," said Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger added: "It is interesting. The most consistent team will come out on top."

News_Rich_Media: Jose Mourinho has slammed Arsenal's post-match refereeing gripes after their clash with Chelsea, after the goal-less draw saw them surrender top spot to Liverpool.

While Brendan Rodgers's side played with all the freedom and confidence in the world in its 3-1 win over Cardiff City, Tuesday morning (EDT)'s highly anticipated clash between Arsenal and Chelsea showed the suffocating pressure the title race can have.

Mourinho was accused of strangling the life out of the game. The attitude epitomises how much was at stake.

"It was a tactical match. A game that Arsenal wanted to win but didn't want to lose and Chelsea wanted to win but didn't want to lose.

"I am building a team for a long period, not just one season. We want creative players who use the ball and kill opponents.

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"But there are some matches where we have to take one step backwards and play with a different philosophy."

There was similar tightness at the top in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, but after a Mancunian stranglehold on the premiership, the destination for this year's trophy is far from certain.

The Christmas Eve edition of the Fox Football Podcast is live and Adam Peacock, Simon Hill and Brenton Speed are joined by News Corp's football writers from across the country to review 2013. Daniel Garb also joins as usual, on the line from Emirates Stadium to discuss all things in the EPL. Subscribe at the iTunes store or via the iPP Podcast Player app.

LIVERPOOL

CASE FOR: Luis Suarez. Simple. If a bloke is going to score at a rate on his own more frequently than 11 other EPL clubs, it's a catalyst to carry Liverpool through the rest of the season.

CASE AGAINST: Let's see how Rodgers's men stack up over the next two matches and we'll know if they're the real deal. With injuries in midfield, there's also a shout that re-enforcements in central midfield or a wide attacking berth would help sustain the title challenge in case of injury.

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ARSENAL

CASE FOR: The panache and verve with which Wenger's side has started the season showed the Gunners can play a brand of football as entertaining as any in the globe - Mesut Ozil as the protagonist, with Aaron Ramsey and co conspiring alongside. They've conceded just 17 goals this term and in a recent first for Arsenal fans, it has been able to scrap points when not at its best.

CASE AGAINST: Last three starts: draws with Everton and Chelsea, and a shellacking at the hands of Manchester City, with a 1-0 loss at Old Trafford a few weeks prior. Is the belief there in the big games? Olivier Giroud is running out of gas upfront and they're missing Laurent Koscielny for this key period.

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MANCHESTER CITY

CASE FOR: An embarrassment of riches and when on song, they're an irresistible force with an ability to overwhelm sides in midfield. It will surprise if Manuel Pellegrini's side loses at Etihad this season.

CASE AGAINST: A curious case of yips on the road. It's the only reason City are not top of the league already. Three other question marks remain: in the No. 1 jersey, the side's stability if Vincent Kompany is absent, and whether they can remain the rampant force upfront without the injured Sergio Aguero, who has had a spectacular start to the season.

CHELSEA

CASE FOR: No one has been overly impressed with Chelsea yet this term, but Jose Mourinho's outfit are still right within striking distance of top spot. If Chelsea clicks, it should spell trouble for its rivals. As this morning's match typified, Mourinho's men know how to manoeuvre in big games and in Eden Hazard, Oscar and co, he has match winners in midfield.

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CASE AGAINST: What is this Chelsea side actually all about? It stifled Arsenal, but has been careless against Sunderland and Stoke in recent weeks, and mediocre against Crystal Palace. There are well documented doubts upfront and for all the talent in attacking midfield positions, the balance between their natural flair and the Special One's pragmatism is still to be found.

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EVERTON

We're getting more into the UCL, not title ether, but no one can deny Roberto Martinez after Everton's excellent first half of the year. They are humming in key positions, playing an attractive brand of football and unleashing players to watch: Ross Barkley and the now injured Gerard Deulofeu at the top of the pile. Their Spanish manager is keeping a lid on things but with just one loss in 17 matches - against Manchester City - Everton is proving a match for anyone.

NEWCASTLE

News_Rich_Media: Emmanuel Adebayor's stunning return to the Barclay's Premier League has seen him named the player of the week for round 17 of the EPL.

Alan Pardew's side have crept up into fifth with consistent results shoehorned between great results at Old Trafford and White Hart Lane. Yohan Cabaye might be happy again, but Newcastle need to hang on to overtures for him in January, while Loic Remy has been a bright spark upfront. There's confidence again at St James's Park - but can such an unpredictable club remain consistent?

TOTTENHAM

What a season for Spurs. Tim Sherwood is now in charge, tasked with moulding the same expensively assembled crop of talent Andre Villas-Boas couldn't get a hold of. But there have been some positive signs immediately, namely providing Roberto Soldado with a partner in his Europa and EPL games so far in a bid to bring the maligned Spaniard into the game upfront. There are high expectations at Tottenham, whose record at home has been underwhelming, but it's still a long road back.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Sir Alex Ferguson's departure was always going to blow the league wide open but this is a really bizarre spot to find United in, and to see the aura at Old Trafford diminish as it has. There has definitely been recent improvement after a worst league start in 12 years, but there is a lot of ground to make up, and Robin van Persie is missing in this busy period. So much responsibility falls on Wayne Rooney and David Moyes knows some changes are needed to spark his central midfield in the January window.