With just a point separating the top five, the Premier League's leading lights are already looking ahead to where the gaps could open up in the coming weeks — or close up for those following behind.
Sir Alex Ferguson believes there are five teams in the title race but only one team can take the crown, and of the eight stand-out sides so far only four can fit into the Champions League-qualifying spots.
Here, Sportsmail assesses the pre-Christmas course for those with aspirations of a spot among the Premier League's top ranks.
Manchester City
If Pep Guardiola's team are struggling through something of a tough patch, they can at least be boosted by the outlook of a decent run up to Christmas.