Chelsea edged out Manchester United by a single point which meant these two clubs have shared the last six Premiership titles. So on the surface little had changed in the competition but in practice, the Premier League is undergoing radical alterations.

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The top two may have been predictable but the fact that they lost thirteen games between them wasn’t. Standards began to level off and it was Liverpool who felt this most keenly. For the first time since 2004/05, the ‘Big 4′ failed to lock out the Champions League places.

Arsenal retained third position with some comfort but the distance to the chasing pack was reduced- and the Gunners poor record against Manchester United and Chelsea didn’t bode well for the future.

The London club at least kept their Champions League berth. Liverpool crashed down to seventh, passed by Tottenham, Manchester City and Aston Villa. It was Spurs who pipped the big spenders from Manchester to fourth position.

Chelsea and Manchester United may have become a ‘Big Two’ in the style of Spain but both clubs have some serious recruitment to do over the summer. United need support for Wayne Rooney and Chelsea are a squad that needs renewal and new blood.

If Spurs can gain a foothold at Europe’s top table they could push on and there is no doubting the wealth in the blue half of Manchester. Arsenal have a fight to retain their status and Liverpool fans will spend the period to August worrying about whether they can keep Fernando Torres.

At the bottom the relegated sides weren’t a surprise. Hull City only just survived last season and Burnley faded after a bright start. The Clarets spent sensibly but from the moment Owen Coyle left they looked doomed.

Portsmouth’s financial woes overwhelmed the club and their best players from the Harry Redknapp era had leaked away before the campaign began. Even before a nine point deduction for going into administration their cause appeared lost- and the FA Cup Final helped their fans forget what will be a struggle for survival in the Championship.

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Everton managed to climb up to eighth after a poor start caused by a horrendous injury list. Missing out on Europe might work to the Toffees advantage but bigger clubs are threatening to take away some of their squad.

If David Moyes can keep them together and add quality, Everton might be another top four contender, in what is becoming a crowded field for 2010/11.

Related posts:

1. Wigan’s away form hands Chelsea huge Premiership advantage
2. The Race For Fourth Place In The Premiership Will Go To The Last Day
3. How Spurs can beat Arsenal to Premiership third spot

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