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At 11 games in, the Barclays Premier League table is as clear as mud. Another unpredictable weekend in the books with only three teams in the top eight earning full points is a testament to the competitiveness of the league, top to bottom. Six points separate the top eight teams, with eighth-place Manchester City remaining the odds makers favourite to win the title. This not only is thanks to the perceived strength of Manuel Pellegrinis squad, but the lack of a true front-runner. The class is among the top eight is palpable; the fatal flaws just as evident. City still being tipped for the title is significant considering no team outside the top three at this point in any Premier League season has gone on to win the league in the last decade. In fact, no team worse than sixth after 11 matches has ever gone on to win the league. The international break gives a chance to reflect on what weve seen thus far. So what do we know? Its fair to say the title race, and even spots in Europe come down to eight teams. The current top eight of Arsenal, Liverpool, Southampton, Chelsea, Manchester United, Everton, Tottenham and Manchester City all rightfully have claims for title and European aspirations. With all due respect to Newcastle and other mid-table teams, its far-fetched to believe any has enough quality, depth or the ability to penetrate the elite eight. Eight top teams with very little separating the group. Is this the most wide-open Premier League weve seen? Heres a historical look at the point differential between first and eighth place after 11 matches and corresponding place of the eventual Champion at this juncture. Premier League year-by-year through 11 matches Year League Leader Eighth Place Place of Eventual Champion 92/93 Blackburn - 24pts Ipswich Town - 16pts Man. United - 6th 93/94 Man. United - 28 QPR - 17 Man. United - 1st 94/95 Newcastle - 29 Man. City - 18 Blackburn - 5th 95/96 Newcastle - 28 Leeds - 20 Man. United - 2nd 96/97 Arsenal - 24 Aston Villa - 15 Man. United - 5th 97/98 Arsenal - 23 Leeds United - 17 Arsenal - 1st 98/99 Aston Villa - 25 West Ham - 16 Man. United - 2nd 99/00 Leeds United - 25 Everton - 17 Man. United - 2nd 00/01 MUFC/Arsenal - 24 Aston Villa - 16 Man. United - T1 01/02 LFC/Leeds - 23 Tottenham - 17 Arsenal - 5th 02/03 Liverpool - 30 Blackburn - 18 Man. United - 4th 03/04 Arsenal - 27 Liverpool - 17 Arsenal - 1st 04/05 AFC/CFC - 26 Newcastle - 16 Chelsea - T1 05/06 Chelsea - 31 Charlton - 19 Chelsea - 1st 06/07 Man. United - 28 Liverpool - 17 Man. United - 1st 07/08 Arsenal - 27 Aston Villa - 18 Man. United - 2nd 08/09 CFC/LFC - 26 Middlesbrough - 14 Man. United - 3rd 09/10 Chelsea - 27 Sunderland - 17 Chelsea - 1st 10/11 Chelsea - 25 Sunderland - 15 Man. United - 2nd 11/12 Man. City - 31 Aston Villa - 15 Man. City (goal differential) - 1st 12/13 Man. United - 27 Arsenal - 16 Man. United - 1st 13/14 Arsenal - 25 Man. City - 19 ??? As the table suggests, the start to this season equals the most competitive in Premier League history amongst the top eight. Only two other times six points has separated first from eighth at this stage. Arsenal was top of the table on just 23 points through 11 games in 1997-98 and was eventual Champion. In 2001-02, Liverpool and Leeds were on 23, before Arsenal pulled away after an incredible run to win the league by seven points. Even more striking is only seven times since 1992-93 has the team leading at this juncture gone on to win the title. Incredibly, Manchester United has only lead (or shared the lead) four times through 11 matches despite winning the league on 13 occasions. The rather cliché, popular narrative that this years league is wide-open actually fits the bill. Without a clear front-runner, were left with eight teams with belief, and rightfully so. Heres what else we know when it comes to the top eight contenders. 1) Arsenal (25pts) - The strength of Arsenal is in their starting XI, particularly the midfield. After that, questions set in. Arsene Wenger is desperate for another option at striker. Olivier Giroud simply has no requisite cover when having an off day. The back four is more settled than recent years. Bacary Sagna is back to top form after breaking his leg 18 months ago. Left back Kieran Gibbs has also been great, providing stability at the wing back positions. Despite early success, its fair to question how much has come from a soft schedule. A true test of squad depth comes before Christmas, with four of their next six games against teams in the top eight, including Manchester City and Chelsea. 2) Liverpool (23pts) - Its astonishing Liverpool is runner up despite still in transition and being without Luis Suarez for five games. Liverpool has feasted on lesser competition; something they havent done in recent seasons. Suarez and Daniel Sturridge have been the strength of the team, scoring 16 of Liverpools 21 league goals. Brendan Rodgers concerns lay elsewhere. An experimental back three or back five, depending on the match-up has brought mixed results. Its not so much the formation, rather than the personnel. A healthy Glen Johnson and Enrique are much better wingbacks with the ability to get forward than Kolo Toure and Aly Cissokho deputizing. After Steven Gerrard in the midfield, the rest is thin and unpredictable. Expecting title contention at this point is premature. A place in Europe is not. 3) Southampton (22pts) - The Saints impressive start is no fluke. Theyve only conceded five times all season. Only Roma and Lille have better goals against records in European league play. And a goalkeeper, Asmir Begovic, scored one of the goals conceded. The defending has been top rate. Mauricio Pochettino has also found a fluid system in attack, with England internationals Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez and Adam Lallana all playing in advanced positions. The move to relieve Nigel Adkins of his managerial duties last season seemed harsh. Its hard to question the move now. Southampton needed to take the next step and play a more consistent brand of football. Pochettino has pulled all the right strings and hasnt faced pressure to play record signing Dani Osvaldo when not needed. A true test is ahead in the coming weeks, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City in three of the next four. 4) Chelsea (21pts) - Jose Mourinho is back being Jose Mourinho: outrageous sideline antics, mixing it up with players in the tunnel, true defiance and in your face gamesmanship. So is his ability to suck the life out of a team. A squad with as much talent as any in the league is stuck playing a bland withheld brand of football. The style is often times effective, and Mourinhos track record cannot be ignored. The Portuguese has yet to discover his top starting XI. I would argue he hasnt found a proper formation either. His insistence to over-rely on John Terry and Frank Lampard through the spine has resulted in a lack of consistency and drive in these all-important positions. David Luiz has been erratic, but is too good not to play. Perhaps a steady run for John Obi Mikel at defensive midfield, while playing alongside Ramires and dropping Oscar into a deeper position would do wonders. The move would allow Juan Mata and Eden Hazard to play behind Samuel Etoo in supporting attacking positions. Mourinho has to do something. No striker has more than two goals. Its all too pedestrian and predictable. Chelsea has a relatively easy go of it until Christmas time. Look for them to climb. 5) Manchester United (20pts) - Recent comments made by Manchester United players tell you all you need to know. Michael Carrick referred to team belief as catalyst for Uniteds current nine-match unbeaten run after "a shocking start" to the season. Phil Jones pointed to Uniteds detractors as inspiration, proving "when people doubt us we are more than capable of standing up for ourselves and proving to people that is why we were champions last season." Theres no question the new manager was a bigger transition than most imagined. The manager has changed but the pedigree and internal expectation at the club have not. The confidence and resiliency trademark at United remain prominent. While questions in the midfield exist, the teams overall quality is undeniable. Judging by the high pressure on the ball and unwavering commitment in the win over Arsenal, the fruits of the Moyes transition are ripening. And we havent even hit the Christmas period yet. 6) Everton (20pts) - The Toffees are the biggest outsider of the top eight but are still full value to be recognized among the elite. A 0-0 draw against bottom dwellers Crystal Palace was a disappointment. Everton had 73 per cent of possession in the game but simply couldnt create. The positive, Roberto Martinez side earned their third straight clean sheet, and sixth overall in 11 games. Martinez is steadfast in his commitment to playing a possession based game; something that kept his former side Wigan in the Premier League well beyond their best before date. The transition under the new manager has been seamless. They possess an element of steel through the middle of the park, with a touch of class down the left side with Leighton Baines and Steven Pienaar pulling the strings. Outside a poor second half at the Etihad, theyve been in every game theyve played. 7) Tottenham (20pts) - Nine goals scored has hurt the start to the season. Only Sunderland and Crystal Palace have scored fewer. Spurs lead the league in shots and shots on goal per game, and are second in possession. Roberto Soldado and Gylfi Sigurdsson have scored seven of the nine goals. Many will point to the failures of Soldado in front of goal, which to a certain extent is fair. But secondary scoring is essential for any top team. The chances are there; the finishing is not. The struggles clicking shouldnt be too much a surprise for a team with seven new key players (nine with Danny Rose and Andros Townsend coming back from loans) in the squad. Next up for Spurs are Manchester City and United. Tottenham took seven points from Manchester sides a season ago. 8) Manchester City (19pts) - When rolling, no team looks better than Manchester City. You wont find a better performance than Citys 4-1 demolition of United. The score-line actually flattered United; it could have been worse. Citys abysmal away form is why they are in eighth. Four away losses, with three coming against teams in the bottom half of the table overshadow their perfect home record. Away is when teams rely on their defensive structure. City has been exposed at the back with Vincent Kompany on the sidelines, and reports say he is at least another three weeks away from returning. City doesnt have another true first choice centre back in their squad. The lack of quality at the position, combined with first choice goalkeeper Joe Hart being dropped means no easy solution. Previous manager Roberto Mancini understood City must play a more conservative style based upon weakness. Pellegrini isnt wired to play that way. Spurs, Southampton and Arsenal are ahead in their next five. Fortunate for City, theyve already advanced in the Champions League and three of their next five league games are at home. Jason Castro Jersey . Starters, when they struggle, have to live with it for five days. For Sergio Santos and Steve Delabar, two of the three men who authored one of the ugliest pitched innings in Blue Jays franchise history on Thursday night, the bounce-back chance came right away. Zach Duke Jersey . - San Diego Padres centre fielder Cameron Maybin is going to be out two to three months after rupturing his left biceps tendon during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. http://www.twinsrookiestore.com/Twins-Jake-Odorizzi-Kids-Jersey/ . The England international had both goals in TFCs season-opening 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders on Saturday. Rod Carew Jersey .com) - After Tom Brady added to an already illustrious legacy, Malcolm Butler established his by leaving the Seattle Seahawks, well, deflated. Glen Perkins Jersey . It was the most lopsided loss in Lakers history. Darren Collison had a team-high 24 points while starting at shooting guard for the injured Jamal Crawford. Chris Paul added 13 points and 11 assists for the Clippers, who apparently are trying to make up for decades of humiliation at the hands of the Lakers all in one season; theyve won the last two meetings by a combined 84 points.The Boston Bruins got a huge overtime goal from an unlikely source, and the Anaheim Ducks got on the board against the Los Angeles Kings. Notes on Fraser, Murray, Vanek, Carter, Vatanen, Andersen and more. FRASER THE OT HERO FOR BRUINS The Montreal Canadiens had an opportunity to take a 3-1 series lead against the favoured Boston Bruins with Game Four headed to overtime scoreless. Then, Bruins rookie LW Matt Fraser knocked a loose puck into the net to give the Bruins a 1-0 win, tying the series at two games apiece. Fraser, a 24-year-old winger called up to replace demoted winger Justin Florek, had three goals and five points in 27 career NHL games, but has been an effective scorer in the AHL, scoring 90 goals in 179 AHL games over the past three seasons. Fraser, who was acquired from Dallas as part of the Tyler Seguin trade, joined Carl Soderberg and Loui Eriksson on a Bruins third line that dominated play, the trio on the ice for more than 70% of 5-on-5 shot attempts, led by Fraser at 74.1%. Canadiens D P.K. Subban played 22:52, the first time under 26 minutes in this series, yet 1:19 into overtime, when Fraser scored, the Habs had the pairing of Douglas Murray and Mike Weaver on defence and that should have been an indication of trouble. That pairing was obliterated in terms of puck possession, on the ice for four shot attempts for and 20 against. Francis Bouillon wasnt great for Montreal, but hes been more effective than Murray, who has been on ice for 12 shot attempts for and 42 against (22.2 Corsi%) in two games. While were pointing out troubling signs for the Canadiens, RW Thomas Vanek didnt have a single shot attempted in 16:09 of ice time. The only other Canadiens to get zero shot attempts were Daniel Briere, who played a game-low 8:02, and Weaver. Montreals leader in shot attempts was captain Brian Gionta, with eight. Bostons leader, in terms of shot attempts, was D Dougie Hamilton, who had eight in 23:28, his second-highest ice time of the playoffs. If the Canadiens are going to pull off this series upset, they are really going to have to earn it. The series is even even though the Bruins have held the lead for less than four minutes in four games. Thats not to say that tthe Bruins havent been the better team -- theyve controlled more of the play -- but this series was there for the taking and now its a best-of-three with two games in Boston.dddddddddddd DUCKS GET ON THE BOARD The Anaheim Ducks got a late second-period goal from Teemu Selanne, then needed a late third-period marker from Ben Lovejoy to ultimately give them a 3-2 lead in Game Three against the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings now lead the series two games to one. The Kings held a possession edge throughout the game, particularly taking advantage against the Ducks line of Mathieu Perreault, Patrick Maroon and Teemu Selanne, a trio that was on the ice for 22.2% or less of 5-on-5 shot attempts. At the same time, Maroon set up Anaheims first goal, on the power play and, as noted, Selanne scored a crucial go-ahead goal. Anaheim was forced to turn to G Jonas Hiller for the last 9:58 of the third period, as starter Frederik Andersen left with a lower-body injury. Andersen had stopped 22 of 23 shots when he got hurt. Jeff Carter led the Kings with a goal and an assist, four shots on goal and seven shot attempts, though Carter and linemates Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli started more than 80% of their shifts in the offensive zone, so they were tilted in that direction. For the Ducks, it was Ryan Getzlaf, who had an assist, four shots and seven attempts. The Ducks inserted D Sami Vatanen into the lineup, playing the Finnish rookie 20:19; only Francois Beauchemin played more among Anaheim defencemen. Theres a reasonable argument to be made that, although undersized, Vatanen should already be handling regular minutes on the Ducks blueline, rather than toiling in the minors waiting for a call-up when the team is in trouble. After dropping the first two games of the series at home, the Ducks desperately needed to get a positive result in Game Three. It wasnt easy, and they lost their starting goaltender in the process, but their win makes the Freeway Series much more interesting heading towards Game Four. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. 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