So Manchester United wrestled their 20th title from an excellent Manchester City side with 4 games to spare on Monday 22nd April. The second earliest they have won it in their premier league history, the first being the 2000-01 season when they retained their crown with 5 games to spare on 14th April 2001. That season was somewhat more straightforward with the title being effectively wrapped up by New Years' Day and can be characterised by a 6-1 demolition of their nearest challengers Arsenal at Old Trafford.
A great deal has been made about the quality of the current United side, with many saying it is one of the poorest title winning teams. Should there not be more credit heading Sir Alex Ferguson's way then? This has not been forthcoming either. If some of the victories achieved in the first half of the season had occurred in the last few weeks then public opinion would be very different. For example, fantastic away wins at St. James' Park, Anfield, Stamford Bridge and a very special last minute winner at the Etihad. The first half of the season included many dramatic comebacks due to the defensive line being decimated. Once all the defenders were fit coupled with David De Gea coming of age, United went on a run from February of winning 6 games in a row and keeping 6 clean sheets. During which time Robin Van Persie scored 0 goals. Roberto Mancini, publicly at least, seems to feel that United signing RVP was the decisive factor. While you cannot argue that RVP has made a big difference to the United side and 24 Premier League goals attests to that, other factors have contributed to United winning a 20th league title.
Gary Neville always alludes to the spine of the team being strong, Man City have an excellent spine in the form of the assured Joe Hart, the magnificent Vincent Kompany, the marauding match winner in Yaya Toure and the supremely talented Sergio Aguero. This year Kompany has been injured at a key time of the season between January and March, Yaya Toure was away at the African Cup of Nations in January and Aguero has also had his injury problems. Whereas United have welcomed back Nemanja Vidic who missed all of last season, Ferdinand has played a large proportion of matches and been outstanding. Michael Carrick has had his best season in a United shirt and I have already mentioned how fantastic the goalkeeper and main striker have been. Injuries play a key part in any team's season and the squad rotation policy of Sir Alex and the development of his team has ultimately won it and by some distance.
So how did the teams fair when I reviewed them at the season's quarter mark (positions refer to the position of the club in the Premier League on 05/11/12).
1. Manchester United
A very patchy start from the current runners-up. Hugely hampered by the horrific list of injured defenders, Vidic, Smalling and Jones. However, their strikers have made up for the defensive shortcomings in spades. Thus far United have conceded first in 6 out of the first 11 premier league games plus 3 out of 4 champions league games yet they are top of both respective leagues. Firepower!
While not tipping them for the title as my own proclivities didn't want to jinx it I expected United to be there or thereabouts.
Current Position - Champions
2. Chelsea
After another Summer of what Michel Platini calls 'financial doping', Chelsea look irrepressible at times this season with the holy trinity of Mata, Hazard and Oscar all in sensational form. With Juan Mata being particularly outstanding with 4 goals and 6 assists in just 9 appearances. The loss of Didier Drogba cannot be overlooked and Fernando Torres has in all honestly struggled to lead the line with the same gusto as the Ivorian. Not through lack of trying mind. Roberto Di Matteo must be congratulated on a thoroughly excellent job since he took over a sinking ship from AVB.
Roman Abramovic, Chelsea's greatest strength but also their greatest weakness. Under RDM, Chelsea were excellent, flying high in the Premier League and had won 2 trophies in a few very short months in charge. Including the big one, the one Roman really wanted in the form of the Champions' League yet he decides for some completely extraordinary reason to dispense with RDM and bring in Rafael Benitez. This is where Chelsea lost the title. My prediction of 2nd/3rd was somewhat hampered by the Russian oil baron.
Current Position - 4th
3. Man City
Manchester City seemed to have exercised some prudence when it comes to forays into the transfer market this Summer. With Roberto Mancini particularly aggrieved with the lack of activity. I think someone needs to explain some rudimentary maths to the enigmatic Italian. You cannot spend 107% of your income on players' wages alone and expect to comply with FFP (Financial Fair Play). By and large City have been fairly unimpressive so far, like United falling behind on numerous occasions but relying on the super-sub prowess of Edin Dzeko. 6 goals from 9 appearances so far, 6 as a substitute. This is the kind of player you need if you are going to win titles. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Teddy Sheringham, Javier Hernandez.....
I expected City to win the title this season building on last season's dramatic success. I shouldn't have listened to the copious amounts of City fans taking great delight in telling me they would 'walk' this season.
Current Position - 2nd
4. Everton
Everton have done fantastically well this season and no prizes for guessing their stand out performer, Marouane Fellaini. The Belgian is a huge handful, as Manchester United found out to their cost on the opening day of the season. Surely a big money move in January is on the cards, no disrespect to Everton but they can only match the striker's ambitions for so long. Obviously it has not been all about 1 man, their success has been built on a bedrock of solid defending with the England contingent of Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka in sparkling form.
Excellent season from Everton but their form has dropped off in the second half of the season, no coincidence that this mirrors Marouane Fellaini's form. Finishing where I expected them to. All the talk is of David Moyes leaving which I find baffling. Where is he going to go?
Current Position - 6th
5. West Brom
This season's surprise package. Fantastic job by Steve Clarke considering this is first attempt at being the No.1 rather than a No.2. A switch more commonly associated with failure rather than success. Just ask Brian Kidd or Steve McClaren. Much of their success can be attributed to their home form, winning 5 out of 6, including an extremely impressive 3 - 0 victory over Liverpool.
Have done brilliantly well to maintain their position in the top half of the Premier League, to finish 5th would have been phenomenal from Steve Clarke but proved a bridge too far in the end as expected.
Current Position - 8th
6. Tottenham
Interesting choice of manager in selecting Andre Villas-Boas to take over from Harry Redknapp. Something that still baffles the majority of observers. Again, they have been largely inconsistent. A fantastic win at Old Trafford one week followed by a toothless defeat at home to Wigan a few weeks later. Gareth Bale is without doubt world class and he is in a different league compared to the rest of his team. Similar to Marouane Fellaini, how long can they hold onto their talisman?
Need to push on and get that 4th Champions' League place otherwise, technically Spurs will have gone backwards under AVB. They've had a good season but it could end up being great.
Current Position - 5th
7. Arsenal
A sorry story for the Gunners, another Summer, another prolonged transfer saga involving their best player and captain. With the conclusion, Arsenal's benefactors coming out considerably richer. While United fans must have been delighted to sign arguably the best player in the Premier League, Arsenal fans must be tearing their hair out. In the last 7 years, the players Arsenal have sold have won a whopping 44 titles at other clubs between them. More trouble ahead I suspect with Theo Walcott stalling on a new contract, with him being eligible to talk to other clubs in January. Their form has been patchy at best with only 4 wins this season. They will struggle to fight off Tottenham and Everton for that 4th Champions' League place with United, City and Chelsea all looking far superior.
Arsenal have done very well in the 2nd and 3rd quarters of this season and if it wasn't for the impatient Russian they would finish where I predicted.
Current Position - 3rd
8. Fulham
Martin Jol showing he's still got it when it comes to managing in the Premier League. Similar to West Brom, their success has been built on good home form. However, to move onto the next step, their away form needs to be remedied. With only 1 win in 6, which is just not good enough.
As expected their away never picked up and have ended up finishing in strong mid-table position.
Current Position - 11th
9. West Ham
Decent start from the Championship play-off winners. Sam Allardyce knows how to be effective in the Premier League.
As expected, flown under the radar. Nothing exciting or interesting to write home about and a solid mid-table finish.
Current Position - 10th
10. Newcastle
They were always going to struggle to replicate the success of last season. Expectation bears down on a club and it's only the best that can live up to it. They are clearly struggling to combine playing in both the Europa and Premier Leagues.
Continued to struggle and lost their best player in Demba Ba and are now flirting with relegation. You would have to say they have under-achieved this season.
Current Position - 16th
11. Swansea
Stunning start under Michael Laudrup but have fallen away in recent weeks. If they finish in this position they will have over-achieved.
Well they've finished even higher and won a trophy. Michael Laudrup for manager of the season?
Current Position - 9th
12. Liverpool
Where to begin with Liverpool. Brendan Rodgers, an odd choice but bearing in mind the other candidate was Roberto Martinez, it was probably the correct appointment. His teams play football in the right way, pass, pass, pass. They often dominate teams but end up losing or in most cases drawing. 6 out of 11 so far. Their emphasis seems to be way too much on midfield with Liverpool only having one recognised 'out and out' striker in Luis Suarez. Without Suarez, Liverpool would only have 2 points and be bottom of the table. A problem that is not new to the Red half of Merseyside, Fernando Torres, Michael Owen for example. I expect them to be challenging for the Europa League places come the end of the season or Brendan will struggle to hold onto his job. The Americans have proven already that if you're not producing the results they want, you will be swiftly dispensed with, even if you are an Anfield legend. Just ask Kenny.
Fighting out for the Europa League places as predicted. Their cause has not been helped by a certain Uruguayan that seems intent on courting controversy. Having said that Suarez has been exceptional this season and then a moment of madness in sinking his choppers into Mr. Ivanovic, receiving a very much deserved 10 match ban. Poor defence from Brendan Rogers attempting to paint 'Chewy' Suarez out as the victim. Could this cost him in the same way it cost Kenny? We will see!
Current Position - 7th
13. Wigan
Another Summer of transition for Wigan, losing their best players, Rodallega and Moses. Roberto Martinez has again done extremely well to keep his team off the bottom and would be very happy to finish 13th come the end of the season.
Looking dire for the Wigan team but Roberto is the master at pulling a metaphorical rabbit out of the hat. The trouble is that they're fighting it out with Villa and I think Villa will have too much for them.
Current Position - 18th
14. Norwich
The loss of Paul Lambert was always going to be a factor in Norwich's success, Chris Hughton is a very able successor but the Premier League is a very unforgiving place. I don't expect Norwich to be in this position come the end of the season. 14th or above and they will have over-achieved.
Well I got this one wrong and it's looking like 'Chrissy' Hughton will have over-achieved.
Current Position - 14th
15. Stoke
Odd to see Stoke this far down, they have established themselves as a mid-table Premier League side with their own brand of 'Blood and Thunder' tactics. Their away form is a problem though, having failed to win unless they are on home soil. However, they have played Liverpool, Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal already this season so I expect them to adopt their customary 10th come the final whistle in May.
Not far off they're customary mid-table position with 3 games left, they could still do it.
Current Position - 12th
16. Sunderland
Under Martin O'Neill I do not expect them to be relegated. A solid mid-table finish.
A poor season from O'Neill's team but Premier League safety should not be underestimated and that was where they were heading before he got the chop and they hired the colourful Italian.
Current Position - 15th
17. Aston Villa
The team is somewhat unrecognisable to the one the McRelegator left to Paul Lambert. The results have been the same though and the performances nothing to write home about. Even Villa fans have lost interest. Too good to go down but a very dull season of self preservation in the offing.
Finishing where they were, do not expect them to be relegated.
Current Position - 17th
18. Reading
A Championship side with a Championship manager, will do well to stay in the division.
Unfortunately my prediction rang true, even sacking their Championship manager hasn't helped.
Current Position - 20th
19. QPR
Hugely underachieving. A vast array of established Premier League talent but yet to win a single match. That comes down to the manager, Hughes could be the first managerial casualty of the season.
Even Harry Houdini couldn't undo the damage done by the previous regime. Going down, something I struggle to hide my delight about.
Current Position - 19th
20. Southampton
This season's Blackpool, great going forward, woeful at the back. They need a miracle to survive and I haven't seen anything from Nigel Adkins that indicates he can turn it around. Only a matter of time before Nicola Cortese lets the axe fall on the amiable Adkins.
Again, unfortunately I was proven right and Nigel Adkins didn't last the season. Who knows whether he would have turned it around. I believe he would have done the same if not better than Mauricio Pochettino. Extremely satisfying season for the Saints.
Current Position - 13th
