Portsmouth made a strong start to the 2006–07 Premier League campaign without conceding any goals in their first five games and were briefly top of the League table. Two defeats in a row to Bolton (1–0 at home) and Tottenham Hotspur (2–1 at White Hart Lane) dented this record, but the team continued to make progress and build on their strong start so that at Christmas they still occupied fourth place (only a point behind third-placed Bolton). This prompted speculation that the club might emulate the achievements of former Premier League strugglers Bolton, Everton and Middlesbrough by qualifying for the UEFA Cup or even the UEFA Champions League, though Manchester United and Chelsea's excellent early-season form meant that neither Bolton and Portsmouth, nor any other Premier League sides, were considered serious title challengers by this stage. A run of poorer results after Christmas, however, moved Portsmouth down towards mid-table, effectively ending their hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Cup.