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With the last week of Premier League football behind us, there is one less reason to stay indoors for the next couple of months. For those who managed to live under a rock for the whole year and had no idea what happened, here’s a summary of what has or has not changed in the season compared to last season. Of course, the list isn’t exhaustive.
What hasn’t changed:
1. Bad Luck Spurs: Tottenham finished the season with 73 points. Since 2000-01, these many points would have booked them a top four berth every season. Though the Europa quest for another year may seem like a same old ending, it does not undermine the effort put in by Villas Boas into this Spurs side. They will surely be stronger next year, Bale will be more ruthless next year, that is, if he stays. But we say that every year, don’t we?
2. If only Champions League Spot was a Trophy: As every year, Arsenal’s most memorable moments surface during the transfer window. While top players head for the exit, Wenger uses his magic wand to get ordinary players and make them produce extra ordinary results. Due to another trophy-less season, everyone will again talk about a change in the management, a change in the spending and retaining ability and a change in attitude to win some silver the next season.
3. Hire and Fire Chelsea: If Arsene uses a new engine everytime to win the race, Roman makes sure he buys a new car once the old one gets scratched. With the usual controversies surrounding the players, managers and dressing room rifts, Chelsea once again managed to bring in silverware. We will once again talk about how the hierarchies have been set up and how the decisions will be taken in a democratic way. We will once again talk about how the spending has reduced, about how we don’t need the old guard anymore. Oh, and we will also talk about how Torres has gained form at the end of the season and will be stronger next year.
4. United trolling Liverpool: You have got to love the rivalry. Manchester United once again showed Liverpool that they are walking a lonely path into oblivion and their matches are nowhere close to their historic showdowns of the past. Liverpool have done brilliantly, grabbing victory from the jaws of Suarez, oops! I meant defeat, and making one of the better signings in Daniel Sturridge. However, they have fallen short of becoming a quality side aiming for the Top Four.
5. Goalscoring Machine: RVP. Enough said.
What did change:
1. Retirements and Farewells: It’s hard to imagine United winning in stoppage time and David Moyes jumping joyously, with fists in the air while chewing his favourite gum. Sir Alex Ferguson will leave a huge hole in the Premier League which not even the arrival of Jose Mourinho and Cristiano Ronaldo will be able to fill. Also, bidding farewells to Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen and Paul Scholes brought out tears in the supporters’ eyes.
2. Dark Horses live their glory days: Wigan’s players have made an odd kind of history. No team has ever won the FA Cup and been relegated from the top tier in the same season. The team which developed great wingers such as Antonio Valencia, Moses and now McManaman wont be flying high as always. Wigan will be sorely missed as they used to provide most of the entertainment at the bottom of the league.
