I'm writing this on the train to Newcastle, who play Everton tonight in one of the final games of the festive period.
As ever, it's been a fascinating fortnight: goals galore, great drama, but more than anything at the games I've been lucky enough to cover, an incredible atmosphere.
It's what makes our league so special.
Liverpool chief Brendan Rodgers will be hoping to overhaul Everton come May
From Stoke on Boxing Day, to Sunderland on Saturday, Southampton on New Year's Day and, no doubt, St James' Park tonight, the passion of Premier League fans has driven the players on when so many must have been feeling the strain.
We're past the halfway stage now and there can be no let up.
At the top the deposed champions Manchester United, inspired by the goals of Robin Van Persie, will take some shifting.
Norwich's unbeaten run has been ended by four consecutive defeats and suddenly the club is gripped by anxiety.
David Jones
Quotes of the week
But Manchester City have too much class to go quietly and the challenge from London could grow from Tottenham and Chelsea.
Surmountable
Arsenal, as ever, and Everton are also in the hunt for a top-four finish and both may look to the January window to aid their cause.
Liverpool surely will, and their most optimistic supporters will consider a five-point deficit on their Merseyside rivals easily surmountable.
At the bottom, meanwhile, the fight for survival will keep us engrossed until the very last ball is kicked. Is it too late for QPR to overcome the odds? Will Reading's tactical shift lift them closer to the pack?
Above them, surely no-one in the bottom half is safe.
Norwich are proof enough of that; the 10-game unbeaten run that only Barcelona had bettered was ended by four consecutive defeats and suddenly the club is gripped by anxiety.
There are so many stories still to unfold and our first instalment of The Footballers' Football Show of 2013 will guide you through where to look for them.
Join us for 90 minutes of football chat with Ray Wilkins, Chris Coleman and Niall Quinn.
Catch The Footballers' Football Show, 10pm, Thursday, Sky Sports 1 HD.
Post to your View!
Be the first to post a comment on this story













Recent Comments:
Chris Knox on Premier League picks
"I cant look beyond Chelsea again this season, considering we were without Michael Essien for the vast majority of last season and we had to do without Drogba, Kalou and Mikel during the... " View all comments
Andy Mann on Those fine lines
"The reason why goal-line technology has not been introduced is quite simple. It's the officials who make the decisions and provided they continue to remain impartial, I do not see the ... " View all comments
Alan Robins on Window watch
"Phone rings in Wengers office. Hello Wenger speaking.. Hello Arsene, its GianLuigi Buffon calling to let you know I am out of contract. AW.. The name rings a bell, are you French? GB..... " View all comments
Trevor Jupe on Window watch
"I dont think Manchester City will bring any new players in this transfer window, i think Mancini will look at the players hes got already as hes not been at the club very long & its ... " View all comments
James Cuff on Season's best
"I'm very suprised that Roy Hodgson hasn't even got a mention in the manager of the year. If you look where fulham were last season, just surviving on the last day, and he's now taken ... " View all comments
Double Dd on The incredible sulk
"To me Ronaldo WILL be the best player we have seen, just not yet. Let him sulk when he's off the pitch, it just makes everyone laugh and it's not going to get him back on is it. The ... " View all comments