LONDON (REUTERS) - History is on the side of leaders Liverpool as they chase a first English league title since 1990 but their four-point lead over Manchester City after 21 games is the smallest margin between the top two in over a century.
The last 11 teams with the equivalent of 52 or more points at the same stage since 1905-06 went on to lift the title, but the strength of this year's top four means Liverpool on 54 points face an especially daunting task.
Sports data company Gracenote have recalculated seasons before the English top flight moved from two to three points for a win in 1981 and say the data reveals that the current top four is the most dominant ever.
Liverpool, City, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are separated by 10 points, and are on course to break the record cumulative tally of 333 points set by the top four in each of the last two seasons.
Of the 11 teams that won the league after leading at this stage since 1905-06, when 20 teams competed for the first time, many had sizeable leads unlike Liverpool's slender advantage this time round.
City, for instance, held a 14-point advantage over Chelsea at the same stage last year and are the first top-flight team to reach the 50-point mark after 21 games and not lead the table.
While wealthy teams at the top of the pile have improved, the evidence suggests those at the other end of the table have got comparatively worse.
Basement side Huddersfield Town's 10 points after 21 games is the lowest by any Premier League team since Derby County managed seven points 11 seasons ago, while Fulham's tally of 14 points is the lowest for a team in 19th place for six years.
Fulham are one of only four teams in the Premier League era to record 14 points or less at this stage and not be bottom of the league. The others Watford (1999-2000), Southampton (2004-2005) and Reading (2012-2013) were all relegated.
Time for Sanchez, Lukaku to shine, Football News & Top
Chelsea increased the gap between themselves and fifth-placed Arsenal to five points as N'Golo Kante's second-half strike earned them victory at Crystal Palace. Kante scored the only goal of the
Atletico extend lead over Real with narrow win over Eibar. Real Madrid play at home to in-form Athletic Bilbao on Sunday but Atletico took another step towards finishing above their city rivals
Atletico extend lead over Real with narrow win over Eibar
Real Madrid, Atletico close in on Barcelona Description: The hosts came roaring back in the second half, twice forcing fine saves from Jan Oblak before Fernando Calero scored for the hosts from a 56th-minute corner.
Real Madrid, Atletico close in on Barcelona
Jamie Redknapp and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink have slammed the decision not to award Derby a free-kick prior to Chelsea's winner in the Carabao Cup. Chelsea narrowly overcame Derby 3-2 to progress to
Chelsea transfers: the 10 best and 10 worst Premier League
National footballer Ikhsan Fandi impressed Raufoss IL coach Christian Johnsen 14 minutes after coming on as a substitute in Oslo, Norway, on Sunday. The 20-year-old had replaced Ryan Doghman in
Ikhsan gets off mark in Norway - theworldnews.net
Victory over Man City would be biggest FA Cup shock ever, says Newport boss Flynn The League Two club have beaten Leeds, Leicester and Middlesbrough in the competition in the last two seasons.
Victory over Man City would be biggest FA Cup shock ever
Van Gaal's claims seem at odds with the more entertaining football played by United since Solskjaer started a reign that looks set to bring him the manager's job on a permanent basis.
Solskjaer boosted by Mourinho's work, claims Van Gaal
Defender Jan Vertonghen scored once and set up another goal for Son Heung-min as Tottenham Hotspur beat Borussia Dortmund 3-0 at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday to give them the clear edge following
Champions League: Vertonghen shines as Tottenham cruise past
The manner of Sarri's leaving will be far more cordial than that of his Italian predecessor Antonio Conte, who pursued Chelsea over his sacking and was awarded a reported £9 million at a Premier League tribunal last month. Sarri, though, does not believe if he takes the Juventus job it will upset Napoli fans.
Lure of Italy strong, says Chelsea's homesick Sarri - msn.com
Football: Saudi Arabia show title credentials with 4-0 win
New-look Germany make promising start with Serbia draw Germany's new-look team made a promising return to the international stage with a 1-1 draw against Serbia in a friendly on Wednesday
New-look Germany make promising start with Serbia draw
0 comments:
Post a Comment