For as long as there has been a Premier League, there has seemingly been an apparent “Big Four.” This “Big Four” are responsible for winning 18 of the 19 Premier League campaigns. The anomaly is Blackburn Rovers; having won the 94/95 title, only three teams have won the Premier League since: Chelsea, Arsenal and most frequently and recently Manchester United. Liverpool are the fourth component of this alleged quartet and the name is arguably justified: until now.
Dominating the Champions League spots for 16 of the 19 years since the founding of the Premier League has justified the name and its grievance with the rest of the Premier League falls in the increased revenue the top four teams earn by their reward of Champions League entry. As the top four remained consistent year upon year, it became more of an issue that the gap would not close; the top four would get more money and therefore continuously improve and further the gap, pulling away from the rest of the pack for good.
But no; when Everton finished 4th in 2005 and thus qualified for the Champions League qualifiers, it looked to be a once-off and this was emphasized when, for the next 4 years, no other team managed to break the “Big Four.” However, the past two seasons have bucked the trend, held a finger up to tradition and started to throw punches back at the big boys and to great effect. Harry Redknapp guided Tottenham to a Champions League spot of fourth in 09/10 and the following season Manchester City went one better and finished 3rd. It was, however, at the expense of Tottenham, who finished 5th.
The Big Four is dead.
Some may naturally agree with the above statement and nod to themselves thinking, yes it is no longer the Big Four, it is a Big Two who will dominate the Premier league for years to come. Well, not quite. While you could make a case for the two teams of Manchester to possess the Premier League trophy for the next 5 or so years, it would tempt fate and most of all, it would be slightly premature. Last season was the first time the top three was broken since 03/04, when Ranieri guided Chelsea to a 2nd place finish having gone all season unbeaten and setting a club record for the least goals conceded and most points accumulated, let alone someone outside the Top Four winning the Premier League. If Manchester City go the distance, they’d be the first team outside of the Big Four to win it since Blackburn.
The Big Four is dead.
Seven teams could well finish in the Top Four this season, if you ask me. Looking at the current Premier League table a case could be made for all teams from Arsenal up. As it stands, 3 of the Big Four aren’t even in the Big Four. Newcastle continue to impress; having started the Premier League in a rich vein of form, they’ve continued to last the pace to the third-way through mark. Last week’s lost to Manchester City was their first of the season and City now remain the only unbeaten team in the Premier League.
Their stellar start has threatened to add another anomaly to the Big Four dominance and the more frequently these anomalies occur, the less valid calling them anomalies become. As it stands, after Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle have the best Premier League form; they are both on a run of 16 games that only includes one loss. Ironically, they’ve only dropped points to Manchester City and drew to each other.
The Premier league needs teams like Spurs, Man City and Newcastle to break the boredom of the so called big four. It makes for a healthy league and prevents the financial gap getting to big. I honestly think Man Utd’s bubble has burst as has Chelski’s. The Premier league title is Man City’s to lose.
Only the EFA could dream up such balderdash as
top four clubs in the Premier League,actually it,s two clubs Arsenal and Trash United,not four with other wannabe,s like Liverpool,Chelsea,Spurs
and Man. City making up the numbers,season after
season,but who says City will win the Premier Lea
gue this season ,we shall see ?
When Trash.United won all those Premier League tit
les in succession it was anything but boring for
their supporters and the fickle English press so
who you kidding Mike?
I’m kidding no one. The average football fan with an ounce of intelligence knows that the only way to stop the Premier league becoming the boring league it has become is if there are other teams challenging for the top 4 spots instead of the same sides season in season out. Man Utd fans are a tiny minority of the general football fan base. You really think the Premier league is interesting when the other 16/18 teams in the Premier league are just thinking our main aim is to avoid relegation!! The void between the mega rich cash injected clubs and the rest is becoming ridiculous. Football is a sport where 2 teams enter the field of play with each team having a realistic chance of winning……but it is not any more. Apart from the odd upset the results are so predictable. Boring, yes boring. I would rather watch the Championship where realistically at least half the sides there have a chance of finishing in the promotion spots.
I think the only team that can break the top 4 is manchester City, the other teams like Tottenham will not be consistent enough to maintain that form for seasons to come…so i believe with city’s money, the top 4 will likely change to top 5 in seasons to come!
Totally agree Mike. I think,Samueal,however has his Arsene Wenger rose tinted spectacles on. Arsenal are not one of an elite DUO.Looking in the rearview mirror where you have been sums up this approach. Non deluded people are looking throuigh the windscreen to see where they’re going. Might I suggest an “All ou Yestredays” dvd as a Christmas present for sad Samuel. History is just that and not a predictor the future. The table doesn’t lie. By that I mean the CURRENT table.