The English Premier League is now at its golden age. Over the years, we have seen goals of the highest quality, some world class players and a cut-throat battle for the top spot. The 2013-14 season is no different. Just eleven games old, and this is shaping into the league's one of the most open seasons. Never before has the Premier League had so many contenders for the title.
With the 'big four's' dominance almost extinct, there are at least six clubs fighting for the elusive EPL trophy. Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenhan Hotspur and Manchester City are all in the mix this year. Arsenal are leading Liverpool by two points and the difference between top eight at the moment is just six points. Surprisingly Southampton and Everton have started on a bright note this season, sitting third and sixth respectively in the top half.
The season even got better thanks to some extraordinary results this weekend. It all started on Saturday, when Chelsea required a controversial injury-time penalty to salvage a home draw against West Brom. Then came Sunday madness that saw Manchester City losing 1-0 against bottom side Sunderland and Tottenham losing against Newcastle at home. Manchester United confirmed that they have woken up from their September slumber with a win over high-fliers Arsenal to throw the title race wide open.
Earlier, Premier League upsets used to be major shocks, but not anymore. So far this campaign, we have seen Manchester United - under new manager David Moyes - losing to West Bromwich and drawing against Southampton and Manchester City losing 3-2 to Cardiff City and 1-0 to Sunderland. We have seen Chelsea - under Jose Mourinho - lose 1-0 to Everton, 2-0 at Newcastle and losing two points against West Brom. Aston Villa took all three points at Arsenal, and Southampton stunned Liverpool. These kind of results have made EPL the most exciting league as compared to La Liga, Serie A and Bundesliga. Although we see more super stars in Spain as compared to England, EPL is seen as one of the more exciting leagues.
On Sunday, we saw Manchester United taking all three points against Arsenal, who have started this season fantastically, thanks to their midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil. Even before the ball was kicked, the best brains in football dismissed Arsenal as the title contenders, but superb performances as a team have made us all believe that this team can compete. United on the other hand have not had a brightest of start this season. They were eight points behind Arsenal until beating the league-leaders. Had United lost this game against Arsenal, it would have made the catch-up job very difficult for the defending champions. This victory puts them back in the mix again and shows the people forecasting they would not finish in the top four have been premature.
The team looks to be improving week after week under Moyes, stressing that they have always been in the title race and remain a serious threat. With Arsenal flying high, let's talk about their city rivals - Spurs. More doubts were raised over Tottenham's top-four credentials after their in-form striker Loic Remy struck a 13th-minute winner at White Hart Lane, with Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul preserving the victory with a string of brilliant saves.
Though Spurs are equal on points with United, they are struggling to score consistently. They have just scored nine times in eleven matches and have failed to attack with the same intensity that they showed with Gareth Bale in the side last season. Winning the title is still a long shot for this side, but they have the ability to finish in top four.
Another side that has been more than impressive this season is Liverpool, sitting second and just two points behind Arsenal. The Reds have found different ways to win matches this season when in the past they would lose or drop points. Narrow wins against Stoke, Aston Villa and Manchester United are some examples of the determination they have shown so far. Their striking duo of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge has been a revelation and scoring goals for fun.
Their home form has also improved with five wins and only one defeat to Southampton this season. Brendan Rodgers has stated that he wants Anfield to become a fortress' again, and he certainly has his team going in the right direction.
Fourth-placed Chelsea have been consistent at home in the Premier League so far this season - with five wins and a draw from six games. However, away from Stamford Bridge, the Blues have managed just one win from five league outings, and manager Jose Mourinho admitted how concerned he was with how his side is performing on the road. Chelsea have just picked one point from the last two matches and it's only down to Manchester clubs and Spurs dropping points that has kept them in top four so far. Blues' strikers not netting has been a real worry for their manager. Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto'o and Demba Ba have scored just three goals between them this campaign. But as we know, you can never discount Mourinho's side, and looking at their upcoming fixtures, Chelsea would be hoping to put up a string of performances and push Arsenal at top of the table.
The biggest surprise of this season has been Southampton. The Saints have been outstanding this season and find themselves on third, just one point behind Liverpool. Their defence has the best record as compared to other teams. However, it's too early to talk about them as top-four contenders, but they have enough quality to hurt other teams' chances as they have shown in their win at Anfield and draw at Old Trafford.
Other teams whose form has surprised is Manchester City. Big spending City find themselves 8th on the points table after their unexpected loss to Sunderland. The result proved a welcome bonus for United as their win against Arsenal help them climb over their city rivals. Although City are just six points behind the league leaders, their away from is a concern and they know they can't afford to lose points as there is little margin for error this season.
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