Title race wide open

Friday, 03/12/2010

After one of the most exciting starts to a Premier League season in living memory, it’s becoming clear that this year’s title race is going to be anything but straight forward.

First, Chelsea started off at breakneck speed, clocking up victories and goals with minimal fuss and effort. It all seemed so easy for the Blues, who clicked straight back into the groove in which they’d ended their double-winning 2009-10 campaign

Didier Drogba was on fire, Florent Malouda continued to justify the theory that he’s one of the most improved players in the division and the defence marshalled by John Terry and Petr Cech looked as solid as ever.

But in recent weeks several cracks have appeared, with Terry and Lampard out injured, Michael Essien suspended and Drogba looking tired, the reigning champions have gone from a team looking in pricelessly slick form, to one that appears a spent force.

The Blues’ usual challengers, Manchester United, have also been far from impressive. The Wayne Rooney saga overshadowed a shaky start, filled with far too many draws and surrendered leads.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson has remained calm and guided his team to the top of the table after a thumping 7-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers.

Rooney appears to be approaching something like acceptable form, Dimitar Berbatov seems to be relishing the Englishman’s return and the first-choice defence is looking more solid with every game.

Arsenal have been as unpredictable as ever, playing with breathtaking attacking fluency one minute, but looking brittle and vulnerable in defence the next. In seasons gone by the Gunners would already be out of the title race, but with nobody showing the required consistency, Arsene Wenger’s flair-filled squad are bang in there with a shout.

So are Manchester City, who despite showing a disappointing lack of attacking ambition in certain games, are still in touch. Roberto Mancini and City’s owners would settle for a Champions League place this season and they might just get it if they keep picking up points with the regularity they have been.  

Title race wannabes of seasons gone by, Liverpool, look further away from that first league title in 20 years than ever, although the shrewd and tactically astute Roy Hodgson has catapulted the Reds up the league and within a couple of wins of the top four, which giving the playing staff at his disposal, almost eclipses anything he achieved with Fulham.

Liverpool have not only been eclipsed by Manchester City, but also Tottenham who have entertained as much as their North London rivals, Arsenal, this season. Harry Redknapp’s men have been involved in some thrilling encounters in both the Premier and Champions Leagues and their most impressive achievement has been their ability to keep pace in the league despite their first foray into Europe’s top club competition.

Whether they can maintain this form remains to be seen, but there will certainly be plenty more thrills and spills along the way, as there will be in the reminder of the 2010-11 Premier League campaign.

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