The "Big Four": not dead, but in a coma
Monday, 21 December 2009
It's not dead, yet. Even if one of them drops out of the top four this season, they'll most likely be favourites to return next year. For me, the death of the top four would mean it's been broken up two years in a row. This year, it looks as if Liverpool are goners. Rafael Benitez is clearly feeling the pressure and is becoming more abhorrent and irritating by the week. Amazing, give how much I disliked him before this season.
But the idea of a "Big Four" means dominance. It means the striking of fear into the hearts of other teams. It means it's a miracle to beat one of the four, and it's worth celebrating a draw like there's no tomorrow.
All of that has gone, and so even if the top four come May does consist of Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool (which it won't), the concept of a "Big Four" is on its arse. Suddenly, Premier League football is worthwhile again.
The Premier League's cabal was dealt another blow this weekend.
Portsmouth severely dented Liverpool's top four chances by beating them 2-0 at Fratton Park with lovely strikes by Nadir Belhadj and Frédéric Piquionne. Bottom of the table, Portsmouth are no mugs but should be easy pickings for a side with any hope of qualifying for the Champions League. With Liverpool's early exit from this season's competition and next season's participation looking increasingly unlikely, it's difficult to see why Benitez is still in employment.
In far less danger of long-term decline are Manchester United, but they are looking far from unbeatable. A heavy defeat at Fulham may have been partly caused by United's injury problems but it comes soon after a home loss to Aston Villa and suggests that United aren't the imperious, universally feared outfit of years gone by. They're not dropping out of the top four but, if teams can routinely take points from them, does the "Big Four" really exist?
It's the same story for Chelsea. They're a magnificent side who will most likely win the title this year and be in the top two or three for the next ten. But they are beatable, as Wigan Athletic and Villa have discovered. They're equalled too regularly too, and West Ham United have a case for arguing that yesterday's point would have been three but for a controversial penalty decision which went against them.
Finally, of course, we have Arsenal. Despite last season's significant wobble, it's almost as if they're the most reliable member of the so-called "Big Four" this term. Despite this, they do drop too many points for Arsene Wenger's liking and this contributes to the overall impression that the "Big Four" are no longer the impenetrable fortress they once were.
On any given day, they can be beaten. And not just one of them, which would have been a surprise last year. This weekend, only Arsenal won. That says something about the supposed impossible strength of the so-called "Big Four" as an entity. Yes, they might well finish as the top four. But they're far from invincible and that can only be good for the game.
Long may it continue.
(Pic via This Is London)
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