Chelsea’s top-four challenge is already over, while four-goal Tottenham still concern in attack. Oh, and we propose a new system to end the injury-time debate for good.…

1) Chelsea can forget top four

Since Guus Hiddink uttered the unwise words that fourth position was possible, Chelsea have collected two points from as many games – effectively ending the shortest ever European challenge. Their next three Premier League games are Arsenal (a), Watford (a) and Manchester United (h). It’s got to the stage where they could feasibly lose all three and, if they do, expect the words ‘relegation battle’ to be lumped into the first sentence of all future match reports. If John Terry’s controversial leveller hadn’t crept in during Chelsea’s tussle with Everton, it may have already commenced. Which brings us onto…

2) It's time to overhaul injury time

To blow or not to blow, that is the question? It’s a dilemma that afflicts referees across the globe. Mike Jones found himself at the centre of that exact storm at Stamford Bridge, deciding to play over the allotted seven minutes of injury time – allowing Terry to score his offside winner. And he was probably right, given Ramiro Funes Mori’s one-man celebration dragged on for many, many seconds. But Roberto Martinez still fumed. The solution? Take time-keeping duties away from the referee. Instead, hand them to a fifth official, who surveys the match from the stands and can tot up exactly how much time should be added on, rather than simply rounding to the nearest minute. Then, when that time has passed, the match concludes when the ball next goes out of play. Simple.

3) Title could come down to Sergio Aguero v Olivier Giroud

Leicester may be dreaming of the impossible, but the reality is the Premier League title race will probably boil down to Manchester City v Arsenal. Or, perhaps more accurately, Sergio Aguero v Olivier Giroud. One is plagued by fitness woes, the other burdened with widespread condemnation. Sure, City are favourites with Aguero, but any injury would promote Giroud to the deadliest striker in the title race. Sporadic brilliance or consistent normality… which would you prefer?

4) Tottenham still struggling to break teams down

But Tottenham beat Sunderland 4-1, right? True, but look a little deeper and Spurs’ problem of old remains: their inability to break down teams. But for the introduction of debutant Jan Kirchhoff – inadvertently instrumental in the third and fourth goals – it may not have been so easy for Spurs. There is so much to admire about their high-pressing game, but it’s still unclear whether they can repeatedly unlock the tightest of defences. The 1-0 home defeat to Leicester in midweek proved as much.

5) Leicester may already have the depth to go the distance

Thought Leicester didn’t possess a squad capable of challenging for a top-four spot, or maybe even the title? The rise of Shinji Okazaki disputes that. Magnificent in the two games against Tottenham over the past week, the Japanese forward was an energetic presence as Leicester drew 1-1 with Aston Villa. He may not snatch the headlines as frequently as Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, but his contributions are imperative if Leicester are to complete the impossible. It’s these lesser-heralded stars, Danny Drinkwater and Christian Fuchs, that are keeping their charge ticking over. Perhaps Claudio Ranieri was right. Maybe they don’t need reinforcements in January.

6) Jonjo Shelvey has his mojo back

Just as his hopes of making the plane for Euro 2016 were diminishing, Jonjo Shelvey burst back with a fine performance in Newcastle’s 2-1 win over West Ham. He was instrumental in both his side’s goals and barely missed a pass. Not bad for a player who was struggling to get in the Swansea team. It's now feasible he could help send his old club down. His next task: get back into Roy Hodgson’s plans…

7) Arsene Wenger may rue letting Benik Afobe leave

February 7: Bournemouth v Arsenal. A first reunion for Benik Afobe and Arsenal since Arsene Wenger deemed him surplus to requirements. It may have been a mistake. Afobe, after scoring a hatful for Wolves, marked his Cherries debut with a goal and seems set for a permanent starting role at the Vitality Stadium. Never given a chance by Wenger, he could yet have a say in whether the title finally arrives at the Emirates.

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