With only a few hours left for a new English Premier League Champion it's nail biting time for Liverpool and Manchester City fans, with all neutrals wondering if there is one last change at the top of the table. How close can it get ? Manchester City have the title in their grasp. A win or atleast a draw is enough to secure them their 2nd league title in 3 seasons. For sure they wouldn't want a repeat of their 1st title win when they won the league in the penultimate seconds of matchday 38.
Getting back to the current season, the title challenge has always been a four horse race. Should have been five but with Manchester United having a disastrous season Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City were left to go for it amongst themselves. Till about a few weeks back there were no clear title winners. After an initial good run Arsenal's title challenge fizzled out in the later half leaving just the 3 to fight it out. However poor results for Chelsea against some of the bottom half teams meant they didn't do themselves any favors.
Eventually it boiled down to Liverpool and Manchester City to give it their all to win the championship. And give it their all they did with Liverpool on Matchday 37 knowing that City have a superior goal difference, hit three against Crystal Palace but their desperation to score costs them dear as Rodger's men ended top of the table but known that the title was farther from them than it was a week ago. City did look like following Liverpool's lead but 4 clear goals in the 2nd half against Aston Villa put them one step closer to the title.
The whole part of the intro was to build up thought that the title race has been closely contested as ever. A look at the table couple of weeks ago and Manchester City were languishing in 3rd spot. How well would they have to do to end the season as champions. This is where the whole plot is twisted. City were in 3rd spot only because their game against Sunderland was called off due to high winds, their game against Manchester United was postponed due to City's involvement in the Capital One Cup final and finally against Aston Villa, City's game was postponed till the last week before Championship Sunday due to their involvement in the FA Cup.
While it is exciting to say that the lead has changed 25 times during this remarkable EPL season, the question is are we comparing Apples to Apples? Certainly not. The title challenge has looked to be so close because the lead has changed before a team could had played their game for a particular matchday. Also the various delays in getting Manchester City to get their regular share of games on time shows that over a 38 game season Manchester City would have been on top for only 3 matchdays!! (Assuming they win their final game). Insane isn't it?
Number of days based on current league tables
I put out a graph which shows where the 4 teams lie with and without postponed games. With every team getting their quota of games on a regular matchday Manchester City would have been at the top on 6 of the last 8 occasions. Isn't this enough sign that the title hasn't been closer to Liverpool as one thinks. The hype created around a remarkable season (I don't disagree that it has been a bad one) isn't all remarkable. Too many matches, too many competitions might be the culprit but what you see isn't a fight too close for comfort.
Getting back to the current season, the title challenge has always been a four horse race. Should have been five but with Manchester United having a disastrous season Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City were left to go for it amongst themselves. Till about a few weeks back there were no clear title winners. After an initial good run Arsenal's title challenge fizzled out in the later half leaving just the 3 to fight it out. However poor results for Chelsea against some of the bottom half teams meant they didn't do themselves any favors.
Eventually it boiled down to Liverpool and Manchester City to give it their all to win the championship. And give it their all they did with Liverpool on Matchday 37 knowing that City have a superior goal difference, hit three against Crystal Palace but their desperation to score costs them dear as Rodger's men ended top of the table but known that the title was farther from them than it was a week ago. City did look like following Liverpool's lead but 4 clear goals in the 2nd half against Aston Villa put them one step closer to the title.
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| Courtesy : www.Premierleague.com |
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| Courtesy : www.Premierleague.com |
Team
|
Days at the top
|
Arsenal
|
128
|
Chelsea
|
64
|
Liverpool
|
59
|
Man City
|
11
|
Man Utd
|
2
|
I put out a graph which shows where the 4 teams lie with and without postponed games. With every team getting their quota of games on a regular matchday Manchester City would have been at the top on 6 of the last 8 occasions. Isn't this enough sign that the title hasn't been closer to Liverpool as one thinks. The hype created around a remarkable season (I don't disagree that it has been a bad one) isn't all remarkable. Too many matches, too many competitions might be the culprit but what you see isn't a fight too close for comfort.
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| It has been assumed that Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea & Arsenal will all win their respective final game. |
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