Alternative Premier League, Gameweek 12: Stoke City Plunges Down Form Table

With no big winners or major surprises, the APL scores for week 12 were more modest than we’ve seen recently, but with Newcastle losing their undefeated record, Chelsea slipping up once more and Stoke continuing to plunge down the table, there is still plenty to talk about.

The league has divided somewhat into two – the top seven and the rest. QPR lead the table of the ‘also rans’ after they heaped more misery on Stoke at the Britannia on Saturday. A major reason for QPR’s high league position is the three away wins that they have recorded so far, equal with Chelsea and one more than Arsenal. The 6.73 points that Neil Warnock’s men won from the weekend have helped them climb above Swansea, Norwich and Aston Villa who all lost their respective matches to higher ranked opposition. Stoke on the other hand remain second bottom of the form table, a long way removed from their great start back in September.

Manchester City gave us another example of why it looks as if they’ll win everything this season. They won their game against fellow unbeaten side, Newcastle, with relative ease and improved their record to a scary 11 wins from 12 games. Interestingly, this weekend was the first time City have been outscored by their neighbours since week 5, when they drew at Fulham and Manchester United beat Chelsea. This week must only be considered a minor victory for the red half of Manchester however, their score for beating Swansea was 7.01, 0.03 better than City’s score of 6.98.

Spurs jumped up to third place after dispatching an uninspired Villa side at White Hart Lane on Monday night. Tottenham’s great run of eight wins in nine sees them lie in third place in the form table, behind Arsenal and City. A two goal win over eighth placed Villa handed Spurs 6.52 points, a score that could have been greater had they taken some of their chances in the second half.

The two battles of the bottom saw Everton beat Wolves and Blackburn snatch a late equaliser at Wigan. Leighton Baines’ penalty meant that Everton moved a little further away from the bottom and became members of the 41 points club – one of five clubs separated by 0.82 points between 11th and 15th. A draw at the DW stadium meant that Wigan and Blackburn both got a little closer to Bolton on 18th but did not change league position.

Liverpool were the week’s big winners with their 7.64 point win against Chelsea. Chelsea’s worrying recent run has seen them drop to 13^th in the form table while Liverpool, who have exactly the same points as Newcastle, sit fourth on goal difference.

• Biggest score: Liverpool 7.64 points
• Lowest score: Wolves 1.51 points
• Best draw score: Sunderland 3.52 points

For more information and score updates follow the APL on Twitter @APLupdates