Chelsea kept their lead at the top of the table after demolishing Arsenal away from home while Liverpool returned to winning ways at the expense of Everton.

By Eugene YS Han

HEROES

CHELSEA
Chelsea's dismantling of Arsenal at the Emirates seems so one-sided that the referee should have stopped the match at half-time. Arsenal may have accumulated more possession but they could only muster two shots on target. Chelsea were too strong in all departments especially in attack where Didier Drogba bullied his way to two goals as well as forcing Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen into an own goal. Nicolas Anelka proved a handful against his former Gunners teammate. Michael Essien dominated Cesc Fabregas just as easily as he did against Liverpool's Steven Gerrard.

Chelsea have now won five league games in a row and it's now three wins out of three against their Top Four opponents. It will take a brave punter to bet against Chelsea who are in such devastating form. The only hope the Premier League has is when Chelsea's key players leave for the African Nations Cup.

LIVERPOOL
It was not the most memorable of Merseyside derbies but Liverpool will be glad to get to return to winning ways in the Premier League against their close neighbours Everton. For once, Liverpool were so dire in the match that Everton, even with their injury problems, looked likely to claim all three points. But in the context of the Liverpool's season, Rafael Benitez wouldn't be complaining one bit. The derby win has already been claimed as the ‘turning point' of the club this season and it is the perfect impetus with a busy December period coming up next. Liverpool kept a rare clean sheet thanks to the heroics of Pepe Reina while Steven Gerrard looks unaffected by the groin injury that has plagued him all season. With Fernando Torres and Alberto Aquilani waiting on the wings, there is much to look forward to at the Anfield club.

TOTTENHAM
Some may have felt Tottenham failed to build on their sensational 9-1 win over Wigan last weekend when they only drew 1-1 with Aston Villa. But then the Spurs of old would have capitulated after going a goal down. This Spurs model circa 2009 are playing with such confidence that it forced Villa to play like an away side at Villa Park. Eventually, Tottenham's pressure told and they equalised through a great strike by Michael Dawson. The point kept them in the Top Four and along with their hopes of a Champions League place next season.

AVRAM GRANT
Is it really 556 days since Avram Grant last took charge of a Premier League team? Grant may not have gotten the winning start he wanted on his debut as Pompey coach, he has to be praised for being courageous enough to return to English football. It takes a brave man to manage a team in the top flight but it takes a even braver man to return.

THOMAS SORENSEN
Could Thomas Sorensen be the most under-rated goalkeeper in the Premier League? Stoke earned a point at Blackburn and the Potters have the Denmark international to thank for after he made two crucial saves from Franco Di Santo and Ryan Nelsen. The surprise is Sorensen has been doing this week-in, week-out. Not bad for a goalkeeper who replaced Peter Schmeichel in the Denmark national team.

WIGAN
How the tables have now turned for Wigan. The last time a Premier League side conceded nine goals (Ipswich in 1995) they went on to lose their next six matches, conceding 16 more times and scoring just once. Wigan showed their consistent inconsistency with a crucial 1-0 win over in-form Sunderland. Roberto Martinez must be really confused. We are.

HULL CITY
Since Jimmy Bullard returned from injury, Hull's fortunes has changed for the better. Bullard stepped up score the equalising penalty and celebrated with his teammates by imitating Phil Brown's half-time team-talk from last year - his team-mates all sit down to listen while he pointed his finger at them. Nice.

ZEROES

MANCHESTER CITY
Mark Hughes may have to splash the cash - if the club's Dubai-based owners can cough up the cash - in January if he is to find the winning formula for Manchester City. So far, City have spent £200million and all Hughes' side have achieved so far is notching a club record seven straight draws in the league. With Liverpool and Arsenal ailing, it was a great chance for City to pull clear with the leaders. But yet, with all the firepower available, City have failed to fire. Hughes can't even use the excuse of European football for his team's current malaise. Things have to change soon or else, it'll be Hughes' job on the line.

ARSENAL
Arsene Wenger will have to find another way to rouse his young troopers after his ‘pep talk' ahead of the Chelsea game failed to inspire them to a win. Instead Arsenal were outfought and outmuscled by a far more experienced Chelsea team. It may be true that the Gunners were missing several regulars but Wenger still has a competent squad to choose from. Eduardo was easily contained by John Terry while Cesc Fabregas was kept quiet by Michael Essien. Thomas Vermaelen had his first ‘Drog' experience and he fared no better than Philippe Senderos against the might of Drogba. It's back to the drawing board for Wenger and his boys.

EVERTON
Thing could not be worse for Everton on and off the field. News of a failed stadium plan was followed by another derby defeat to Merseyside neighbours Liverpool. After local authorities rejected Everton's proposal to build a new stadium in Kirby, the club actually re-considered plans to co-own a stadium with rivals Liverpool. In response, the Reds' silence was deafening. Without a new stadium, Everton may find themselves lag further behind financially in the Premier League and dash their hopes of finishing among the European places. On the field, Jo has again showed he is a ‘white elephant' in attack by getting into countless offside positions while Tim Cahill has lost his knack of scoring goals from midfield. Both Louis Saha and Yakubu cannot be relied on regularly. Everton are in need to strengthen their attacking positions but they lack the resources to do so.

SUNDERLAND
Sunderland seem to be able to find another gear when they play the top teams but fail to switch it on against their peers. Their home form has been good but their away form has been awful. Sunderland have now won just one of their last 17 away league games.

* Send in your comments to streettalk@espnstar.com