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Premier League Entertainment
Most Entertaining League in World?
On the evidence of the season so far, Andy Greeves believes the Premier League is worthy of that billing.
A month ago, Chelsea's position at the top of the Premier League was such that their push towards a fifth league title was threatening to turn into something of a procession.
Following victory over Wolves at the end of October, Ancelotti's men went five points clear of the division but just a month later, the picture at the top of the league's summit is very different. Three defeats in four games for the Blues has thrown the title race wide open. Proof, as if were needed, that if a week is a long time in politics, 28 days is an eternity in football.
Ahead of the last weekend of fixtures in November, Chelsea and Manchester United are tied at the top of the division with 28 points. Arsenal are just two points behind in third place and the top six is separated by just six points in total.
After 14 games, it's officially the tightest top six the Premier League has seen since its foundation in 1992. You have to go back as far as the 1997-98 campaign for such a race, when after 14 games Manchester United were top of the league just one point ahead of Blackburn and Arsenal and three ahead of Chelsea.
On the back of Tottenham's remarkable 3-2 victory at Arsenal recently, boss Harry Redknapp suggested the Chelsea and United may well not be as strong as they have been in recent years and that his side were capable of making a title-challenge.
The notion of a 'big four' in English football does seem to have been somewhat corroded and the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham can plausibly be factored into the title race, along with Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea this season.
City and Spurs both have quality, in-depth squads and each have a handful of players that wouldn't look out of place in any team in the world. Tottenham's performances in the Champions League have been particularly good, supporting Harry Redknapp's belief that a title push might be in his side's capability in the not too distant future.
It's pleasing to see the chasing pack behind the top six growing in stature too. The likes of Sunderland, Bolton and Stoke have shown they are very decent European standard teams. Albeit not playing the kind of football that appeals to everyone from an ascetic point of view.
The fact that Johan Elmander, a player from outside the so-called 'glamorous' clubs, tops the scoring charts in the Premier League so far this season speaks volumes for the division's openness.
There has been a notable improvement in the 'lesser' teams philosophies against tougher opposition this campaign too. The negative 'ten men behind the ball' approach seems less evident this season and its made for more open games and more surprise results - such as West Brom's triumph at Arsenal and Sunderland's 3-0 win at Chelsea.
Praise has to go to the newly promoted teams, who have contributed significantly to an exciting season thus far. Blackpool have scored an impressive 21 goals already in their first spell in the top flight since the 1970's. Newcastle United have also stayed true to their attacking principles and have hit the back of the net 22 times so far. Even the more cautious newbies West Bromwich Albion have averaged more than a goal a game.
While the division is as tight as it has ever been at the top, down at the bottom Wolves and West Ham are in danger of cast adrift at the bottom. There's a five point gap between those two and Wigan and Fulham above them.
The neutrals won't be too concerned about life at the bottom though. The monotony of Chelsea and Manchester United strolling towards titles season-on-season is looking in serious danger. While Ancelotti or Ferguson may still get their hands on the big prize come what May, it's likely that they will have had to have fought a lot harder for the title that recent years. And there's other teams around now who look capable of fighting them all the way next season and the season after too.
For the Premier League's marketing men, the season so far has been a dream. There's been upsets galore, new forces emerging and one of six clubs looking capable of winning the title. How other leagues around Europe wish they could say the same. Especially in Spain or Scotland.
While England continue to struggle on the international stage, the Premier League is at least looking deserving of its title as the most entertaining and arguably best league in the world.
© Andy Greeves & Soccerphile.com
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