It's just slightly past the half way mark of the Premier League season, and with the transfer window opening in January 2009, this is the perfect time to grade each team's first half performance.

 

1. Liverpool (13-6-1): A
The Reds are looking like legitimate title contenders. They haven't been able to pull away from Chelsea or Man United just yet, but a 3 point lead at the top of the table gives Liverpool the front runner status, at least for now.

 

2. Chelsea (12-6-3): B-
New manager Scolari has the Blues scoring more goals and they easily lead the league in goal difference. But Chelsea has squandered several chances to catch Liverpool, and their home form has been poor: only 4 wins in 10 games and two losses at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea never lost a league match at home under Mourinho.

 

3. Man United (11-5-2): B+
As reigning Champions League winners, Man United has played two fewer games due to cup obligations. What should worry Liverpool and Chelsea is that United are still just 7 points behind the leaders and they haven't been at their best yet. With two games in hand, United should make a late season charge.

 

4. Aston Villa (11-5-4): A
This could be a break through year for Martin O'Neil's club if they can hang on to fourth place. Coming from two goals down to earn a draw against Arsenal kept Villa in the top four to start the new year. Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young have been fantastic!

 

5. Arsenal (10-5-5): C+
Arsenal are having a very inconsistent seasons. In some games, they look like the best passing team in the world. Then, they go out and lose to Hull City and Stoke. And then there's the turmoil surrounding William Gallas and the captaincy.

 

6. Everton (9-5-6): B
I think if Everton finish the season in 6th place, manager David Moyes would be very pleased. The club has a real shortage at the striker position and their usually solid home form has been poor (2-4-4). But they have been great on the road and somehow find themselves in 6th.

 

7. Wigan (8-4-7): B
Steve Bruce has done a great job at Wigan. They were in relegation danger last season, but are now fighting for a place in Europe. Or are they? Wigan in 7th place are only 8 points ahead of Stoke in 18th. So any of the clubs outside the top six are just a losing streak away from danger.

 

8. Hull City (7-6-7): B+
Hull were the surprise team of the first half after reaching the Premier League for the first time. A fine start to the season, including a win against Arsenal, had Hull in the top four for a while. But they may have fallen back to earth a bit, evidenced by their 5-1 thrashing at Man City and manager Phil Brown's half time tirade on the pitch. Still, they have far exceeded my expectations so far.

 

9. Fulham (6-8-5): B+
Roy Hodgson's side has overachieved so far this season. After last season's near relegation, Fulham were one of the leading candidates this season too. But here they are in 9th place with a game in hand. They even earned a draw against their neighbors Chelsea. Hopefully, they will be able to hang on to Jimmy Bullard in the transfer window.

 

10. West Ham (7-4-9): C
Another inconsistent team, but it's still too early to judge the Gianfranco Zola era at Upton Park. The Hammers recorded a draw against Chelsea, and have won their last two matches. West Ham may be on the upswing, but their early season inconsistencies earn them a C at the half way point.

 

11. Bolton (7-2-11): C
This is about where you would expect Gary Megson's squad. Obviously, they weren't going to contend for the top four. 11th place might sound like mid-table safety, but they're only 3 points ahead of 18th place Stoke. Not out of the woods yet.

 

12. Portsmouth (6-5-9): C-
I'm very worried for Pompey. After Harry Redknapp left for Spurs, Pompey have been in a free fall down the table. Plus, Jermain Defoe may be on his way out in the January transfer window. I think Tony Adams may be out of his depth here.

 

13. Manchester City (6-4-10): C-
With the talent on this club (Robinho, Ireland, Wright-Phillips, etc.), they should be doing a lot better than 13th place. Expect lots of funds available for Sparky Hughes this January. City demolished Hull and then staged a late comeback to earn a draw at Blackburn, so they may be headed in the right direction.

 

14. Newcastle (5-7-8): D+
What a mess at Newcastle. Kevin Keegan left the club, the owner may or may not be ready to sell the club, and their defending has once again been the Achilles Heel of the club. Shay Given has been great in goal and surprise choice for manager Joe Kinnear has improved their standing in the table somewhat. Still, they were thrashed by Liverpool in their last match and look like the usual under-achievers we have come to expect.

 

15. Sunderland (6-4-10): C
Another difficult club to figure out. Manager Roy Keane spent plenty of money before the season increasing the size of the squad. Some were big names like Djibril Cisse who have performed well. Others just made the squad way too big. Then Keane quits the club out of the blue and Ricky Sbragia is named caretaker manager. Then Sunderland goes on a rampage, scoring four goals in back to back games and Sbragia is named permanent manager. Then they manage only a draw and a loss over the holidays. One of about a dozen clubs trying to distance themselves from the bottom 3.

 

16. Tottenham (5-5-10): F/B
For Spurs I have to give two grades. When Juande Ramos was in charge, they get an F. How in the world can a club with this much talent be at the bottom of the table. Maybe by selling your three best strikers (Berbatov, Keane, and Defoe) and not replacing them. Ramos' punishment for such a poor start? Axed by Spurs, signed by Real Madrid as their new manager. Since Harry Redknapp took over, I give Spurs a B. Harry is doing a revival of his Houdini act it appears. Spurs are out of the relegation zone, but they really need to sign a striker or two in January.

 

17. Middlesbrough (5-5-10): D
I'm still not convinced that Gareth Southgate is Premier League quality as a manager. After a decent start, Boro have now gone 8 games without a win.

 

18. Stoke City (5-5-10): C
Tony Pulis' club have pulled off a few upsets and certainly have a chance to avoid relegation. That's usually considered a success for a promoted team. But Stoke have relied on long throw-ins from Rory Delap for many of their goals and he now has a shoulder injury. Stoke's home form has been good, and if they can keep that up, they just might avoid the drop.

 

19. Blackburn (4-6-10): F
Under Mark Hughes, Blackburn was a difficult club to play against, and they usually were in contention for a European place. Not so for the failed Paul Ince reign in charge. Sam Alardyce has been brought in as manager and results improved immediately. They squandered a two goal lead in the dying minutes against Man City, but Big Sam should get better results that Ince.

 

20. West Brom (5-3-12): C
For much of the first half, West Brom were adrift at the bottom of the table. But after wins in two of their last three matches, Tony Mowbray's club are now just two points behind 17th place Middlesbrough. The club in last place at Christmas has only once avoided relegation, but that club was West Brom. Still some hope left for Baggies fans.