Dubai: The vacuum left behind by Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United has resulted in one of the most exciting English Premier League (EPL) seasons to date. But have the quality and consistency been the same as in previous seasons?
Crystal Palace’s shock 1-0 win at home to Chelsea to knock Jose Mourinho’s side off the top spot last Saturday is surely a great sign of health in a league where anyone can beat anyone. But was it a case of Palace punching above their weight or Chelsea underachieving?
All of the top-four sides have led the league at some point but failed to break away from the chasing pack. And the manner in which the top-six sides have routinely battered one another and still maintained their positions is unprecedented.
Liverpool’s destiny is now in their own hands after a 4-0 win at home to Tottenham on Sunday. Brendan Rodgers’ side will end a 24-year wait for league honours provided they can overcome both Manchester City and Chelsea at Anfield in the biggest of their remaining six games. But with the inconsistency shown by clubs so far this season, you would have to expect the unexpected.
We’ve seen a skeletal Arsenal maintain their lead for 20 of the league’s 32 weeks to date.
And with the obvious frailties in Arsene Wenger’s squad, it was miracle that they weren’t overtaken sooner.
But it’s even more surprising that they’ve been able to stay in the top four despite the hammerings they have received by rivals.
Arsenal have been thrashed 6-3 by Manchester City, 5-1 by Liverpool and 6-0 by Chelsea so far this season.
Tottenham have been beaten 6-0 away and 5-1 at home to Manchester City, 5-0 at home and 4-0 away to Liverpool and 4-0 away to Chelsea, but they still stand on the cusp of European qualification. On top of that, Spurs have gone on to beat teams just below them like Newcastle 4-0 away.
It would appear that there’s a gulf between the top-three clubs and the teams from fourth to sixth in the league but then another drop in class with the teams below that, with just five points between 12th and 17th-placed clubs.
But then consider that teams like Manchester City have beaten Norwich 7-0 at home earlier in the season and then drawn 0-0 away to them, and things appear more complex.
While everyone may revel in the implosion of Manchester United after Ferguson’s departure, you can’t argue with the fact that the club’s demise has affected the league’s competitiveness.
With no runaway team to peg back, clubs lack a pacemaker or benchmark and have been able to get away with complacency and a lack of conviction or experience to hold their lead.
And while it’s hugely entertaining, it may not translate well for EPL clubs and players when they play continental or international football.
