The Title No One Wants To Win  

This year's race for first place is different then many of the previous years in the English Premiership. It is wide open and there are a number of teams in the running. Unfortunately for fans of Joga Bonito this is due to poor (some would say bloody awful) form, rather than the fast, scintillating football we have come to expect from the EPL as fans!

The play of the "top four" (Arsenal, Man U, Chelsea, and Liverpool) has been shocking and they all seem intent on racing to see who can give their opponents the most chances to take the lead rather than racing for first place!

Arsenal:

The Gunners have lost an unbelievable 5 times this season already - which is as many as Manchester United lost all of last season. Wenger has been in the paper on a regular basis for the wrong reasons. However, they have beat Man U and Chelsea already this year and in a convincing fashion might I add.

What is wrong?:

They lost Hleb and Flamini during the summer and, even though Wenger played that down that is a huge loss to an extremely young squad. Their most experienced campaigner, Gallas, has been inconsistent on the field and has lead to a shaky back line.

Liverpool:

Liverpool had an impressive start to this year's campaign. They too beat Man U and Chelsea early in the season and hadn't lost until November. This has been blunted by three successive home draws to Fulham, West Ham and Hull. Even with these poor results they have moved up a place from 2nd to 1st in the Premier League.

What is wrong?:

They have lost too many points at home. Torres who was a prolific home performer last year has been out for much of the season which is a major problem. Also Keane hasn't performed the way they had hoped him to.

Manchester United:

With a draw to Newcastle at the beginning of the season it seemed to foreshadow what was to come. Since then the current Champions of Europe have paled in comparison to last year; Losing to Arsenal, dropping two points late to Chelsea and a recent, unconvincing win at lowly Sunderland (thanks to a 90th minute goal by Vidic) leave all of us scratching our chins.

What is wrong?:

Well the only difference in last year's and this year's squad is that they have no Carlos Queiroz. It is known that Carlos was responsible to a lot of Man U's defensive tactics but I could not have foreseen this effect. Ferdinand and Vidic have looked shaky at times this season though so maybe there is a correlation.

Ronaldo has been a shadow of his former self this year. I didn't expect him to top or even equal what he did last year but I expected better then what he has produced so far. Blame it on what you want, he is not playing well at all!

Chelsea:

Chelski had a bright start to their season even without their number one striker choice (Drogba). Thanks to an in-form Anelka they have won many games that maybe they shouldn't have. A poor home form is the most worrying stat to Scolari.

What is wrong?:

But you have to remember the injuries to Carvalho, Drogba, and Essien. The core of last season's team. Lampard's form has been mediocre at best and with the injuries they do not have the depth on the bench that I am sure Scolari would like!


As a fan of Joga Bonito (Beautiful Football) I am not happy with the Premier League this season. Especially the top four teams. Luckily there are other teams in the EPL stepping up (Hull, and Aston Villa are both playing brilliant football). I will continue watching in hopes that they start clicking and I am looking forward to see what they do in the January Transfer window but for now, I shall continue enjoying the brilliant football in La Liga.