Christmas is a time for stuffing yourself 大吃大喝 with food and drink, and sprawling 放松地躺或坐在 in front of the TV to watch old movies… except if you are a Premiership footballer that is.

The last five days have seen non-stop action in the Premier League with 20 games played, tons 许多 of goals scored and another manager sacked 被炒.

But despite all the action the top of the table 榜首 looks reassuringly familiar.

Chelsea continue to lead while Manchester United remain in second place.

However, Arsenal are gaining ground 夺回一些失地, having closed the gap on Chelsea to seven points and on Man Utd to just two points, and 'the Gunners' still have two games in hand.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger can look back on a very merry Christmas with the prospect of a happy new year – who knows, he may even manage a smile in 2010!

One manager who certainly won’t be smiling is Bolton Wanderer’s freshly-sacked manager Gary Megson.

Megson has had a depressing time at Bolton, who are now languishing in the relegation zone 降级区.

He was booed and jeered 起哄嘲笑 by his own team’s fans during Tuesday’s 2-2 draw against Hull.

Speaking to the BBC after the game Megson expressed his frustration 失望和恼怒 at the fans’ negativity.

"It has started now to have an impact. It's difficult for the players to be playing in that atmosphere," he said.

One manager who has enjoyed his introduction to the English League is Roberto Mancini, the new boss at Manchester City.

City have won both games with the new manager in charge and have reignited 重新点燃或激发 their title ambitions.

"Can we win the league? All is realistic. We have another 19 games to go so all is possible because we have a good team," said Mancini after beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0.

With City in the ascendancy 上升势头 and many teams losing their African players to the African Cup of Nations tournament 非洲杯足球赛, January looks set to be a thrilling month in the Premier League.