Brian: If ever there was a reason to smile - other than it being Christmas - it was for Blackburn's win.

Okay, so it was against Stoke. No great shakes there. But just think. Their manager had been sacked. Someone stepped in. They were in the dungeon and sharing space with West Brom. Then they beat Stoke 3-0. Just imagine what it must do to the team's confidence and what joy for the Ewood Park faithful.

Gary: Ah, good old Big Sam. The Premiership missed him. I didn't think Stoke had a chance and I was proven right. Blackburn have good players all along. All they needed was the right man to guide them. And they got the best man in Sam Allardyce. He may not win them the Premiership title, but he's the right man to execute the rescue act.

Eric: A sweet victory that kept a smile on me the entire Sunday. I noticed that the odds for Blackburn to win opened at $1.75 and closed at $1.50. Initially, I thought the heavy boat might sink, I was surprised we got through safely after just 25 minutes. As far as I know, that was an early Christmas present for many punters because most of them at my neighbourhood betting shop had money riding on them.

Brian: What joy also for Fulham who are now in eighth spot - and with a game in hand, mind you. Old man Al Fayed must be over the moon. Maybe he should show his gratitude by throwing open the doors of his famous store, Harrods, to the poor and needy - and I'm not talking about the boys from The Hawthorns.

Gary: With their excellent home form, you knew Fulham were going to give Middlesbrough a hard time at Craven Cottage. But I was really expecting more from Boro. Those guys are plain confusing, especially for the punters. Maybe they should hand out a manual to Liverpool, on how to win at home.

Eric: Brian, I noticed your best bets are to go against West Brom. But wait a minute, did you see how they managed to pull off a victory over Manchester City? That is a fighting spirit that might just give them some hope. Anyway, I think it's still too early to rule them out.

Brian: Anyway, imagine how Aston Villa fans must be feeling? Their beloved team's in the top three - that's like clearing Hillary's Step on the way to the summit of Everest.

Sure, Man United, in fourth, have got two games in hand. But until and unless someone comes along and kicks them from that lofty perch, I reckon they deserve to breathe the rarefied air.

Gary: That's down to Martin O'Neill weaving his magic. Yes, Brian, you're right. They deserve to be where they are at the moment for playing some of the most exciting football in the league.

Eric: So far Aston Villa have won the battle and I hope they can eventually win the war. All along I've known Martin O'Neill is a capable manager but I never expected him to be able to assemble a squad that could cope with the weekly Premiership exertions and yet progress in the Uefa Cup. I hope they finish in the top four to break the Arsenal-Chelsea-Liverpool-Manchester United stranglehold.

Brian: And look where Sunderland are? Sitting in 12th spot, from 18th on Saturday morning. That's the magic of what a win can do.

Yes, with this being our last column before Christmas, I want to wish all punters - diehards and those once-a-week battlers whom I meet at Singapore Pools' Siglap outlet, plenty of wins.

Yes fellas, may you break the bank.

Gary: Go, go, guys. Make a bundle and go make this Christmas one to remember!

Eric: Things are so tight in the standings, which is good for the neutrals because competition will be more intense. But for the punters, it is a nightmare because it basically means the results will be unpredictable. My wish this Christmas is for all punters to strike a huge jackpot on Boxing Day. Cheers

Brian:

So, West Brom won. Does it mean they will soon find their way out of the cellar? No. They will find that out when they play Chelsea. Indeed, I don't think they were that good on Sunday. They won because Man City were awful. Normal service will resume on Friday.

Gary:

Now that Big Sam is at the helm, you can expect more good stuff from Blackburn in the coming weeks. They got a convincing win over Stoke, which didn't come as a surprise. They should be carrying the momentum right into the new year.

Eric:

With plenty of matches this week it's important choose the right bets. Arsenal escaped with a draw against Liverpool, but I doubt they will get through the festive period. Key players will be missing and I'll be betting against them.