West Ham United midfielder Stewart Downing says it's good for the Premier League seeing unfamiliar names at the top of the table.

Southampton and the Hammers have shocked the top dogs during the first half of the season and Downing reckons breaking the 'big four' stranglehold on the Champions League spots is important.

"I think it would be good for the league," he said.

"If you looked at the league at the minute you'd say it was false but we're there on merit, we've done well and we've played some big teams and played them off the park on the day.

"We've beaten Liverpool and Manchester City and ground out a win against Newcastle, which we would have lost last season. We have shown good qualities."