It wasn't really that close. Last season 18th managed 33 points and we reached 34 points with 9 games to go (after beating Arsenal). It looks like 18th will be even lower this season so a point per game would see us home and dry by mid April.
Amazing that there are 7 teams on 9 points or fewer at this stage of the season. Any other year and that’d have you in the bottom 3. Even last season the bottom 3 had 10, 9 and 8 points after 13.