By Stuart Howard-Cofield, Featured Columnist Feb 17, 2014

The English Premier League likes to promote itself as the most exciting league in world. What it may lack in technical quality, it makes up for with testosterone-fueled abandon. However, it has often been the case that the actual title run-in has fallen short in the entertainment stakes.

Manchester United’s famous collapse in 2012, which handed City a title in the last minute of injury time, was a marketing man’s dream come true.

Fast-forward one year, though, and United completed a comfortable procession toward title glory with an 11-point margin—hardly the sort of stuff to get the pulses racing.

This season, we appear to have the rare sight of a four-horse race to the finish. Without a doubt, the most unusual aspect of this is the absence of the side that has been the major force throughout the Premier League years.

Barring a few seasons where Arsenal and Chelsea shared the league titles in 2002, 2004 and 2005, the race for the title has always involved United finishing first or second. It has almost been a simple case of Manchester United and one other side contesting the league.

Blackburn Rovers, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City breached defences, whereas Aston Villa and Newcastle United and Liverpool attempted to keep pace at times.

United’s amazing consistency won them the league last year, but it was not exciting. Widely proclaimed to be the weakest United side in years, the competition fell apart just after Christmas and the red steamroller just kept on going.

This season, of course, has seen David Moyes presiding over a squad that looks like they haven’t played together before. Team selection, tactics and togetherness have all been questioned as United have laboured to their current position of seventh place after 26 games.

With four sides still vying for the league this year, it begs the question: Has Manchester United’s current plight helped create a Premier League season to be excited about?

Premier League Standings after 26 games, February 2013

1- Manchester United65 pts.
2- Manchester City53 pts.
3- Chelsea 49 pts.
4- Tottenham Hotspur48 pts.

Look back to last season at the same point. After 26 games, United had 65 points. This season’s current leaders are Chelsea, who are only on 57 points.

Manchester City have been rightly lauded for many of their performances this season, but again their travel sickness has caused them problems. They currently only have one more point than they had at the same stage last year.

Big improvements have of course been made by both Arsenal and Liverpool. Both have been playing sparkling football at times and matched Chelsea and City stride for stride so far. They are respectively 12 and 17 points better off this February than last.

Premier League Standings after 26 games, February 2014

1- Chelsea 57 pts
2- Arsenal 56 pts
3- Manchester City54 pts
4- Liverpool 53 pts

Just four points, then, separate the current top four sides.

Can we really ignore the fact that, had United shown the same consistency and form as last season, each of these four would be still well short of challenging?

The numbers suggest that the top four have not progressed too much—it is just that Manchester United's standards have fallen so far. Moyes must find out the reasons why and rectify them for next season as a repeat would be unthinkable.

United’s malaise might just be providing entertainment for football fans in more ways than just schadenfreude.

The catastrophic start to Moyes’ tenure at Old Trafford has handed an opportunity to the current top four. While there might not be a “squeaky-bum time" in store for fans of the Red Devils this spring, it does look likely to be the most exciting finish in years.

Both the winners and the Premier League can thank United later.

@TheGame "How about Liverpool not winning the league for 24 years?"

What a coincidence, It took Manchester United 41 years to win the title again, that's your history.

Ok I understand where you coming from . I tried to be as short as possible .

Every league other then EPL gets from 3 up 5 weeks of winter break . If you are telling me that is not crucial , I seriously doubt your knowledge about football or i doubt you ever played any competitive football in your life .

What I called unfortunate was that both City and Arsenal played very very well until they saw red cards . It happens and they were unfortunate it happened to them . However if you are talking about quality then you need to watch the match again both of the teams poised the same quality at times better then Bayern And Barca . Especially , Arsenal who played Liverpool before coming to play Bayern . We saw how Liverpool form is benefiting from not having have to play in CL .

• "Thats called work, and its funny you call us money team when you support Chelsea, at least Bayern and Barça are here by hardworking not by oil or gaz money."

Did not call any team money team . I said financially powerful therefore teams like Barca or Bayern or Madrid complaining about teams like PSG , Chelsea City is ridiculous to me. Fair point money had to be invested from third party to lay foundation for future success and sustainability . There was no other way .

So you saying other clubs do not work hard to build their teams ? What do you propose to do to a team like Borusia Dortmund who can't keep their players because they can't pay them more ? Or what do you propose to a team like Notinhgamm Forest to win Champions league again back to back ? or West Ham United or Southampton? Before they can even build their squad , players leave to bigger clubs who will bully them in transfer market even to replace those players with quality. So , i understand your frustration that clubs like Chelsea and etc joined the "big spenders club " , because big clubs want to get best without competition and fewer the big the number of big spenders , the better it is for them . This is what killing football . If Chelsea and City never appeared in EPL as top spenders , I bet United and Arsenal would have been winning the league year after year , maybe it would have been like Bundesliga where Bayern dominates and other choke in dust .

• " I remember RM raped Galatasaray 0-5 in a wonder performence, what did you said guys ?? ( That was against a shitty team) , like when they trashed Valencia 0-5."
  I don't think you follow Turkish football at all , but during that time Galatasaray was having unrest in the squad and in the club management . That is why Mancini came later and few more transfers happened in January . Also, differentiate between group stage and knock out stage . For example , team like Real Sociedad can loose 7-0 in La Liga but when they are in knock out stage of copa del Rey they are completely different team .

• "In comparison, your team, Chelsea, are loaded with more money than almost any other club in the world (except maybe PSG and City). And yet, your team has won 7 trophies in the last 5 years, while Barcelona have won 16 and Bayern have won 9. "

I honestly would not be getting into argument about trophies and spending if I was Real Madrid fan . Real Madrid has spent little over billion euro in transfers in the last 10 years .. They broke like 4 or 5 transfer records just in past decade , getting the finest of the players in the world. Yet for the past 10 years Real won 6 trophies , right ? Of Course Madrid can afford it because they have build financially powerful club based on the past glories and the players that they bought which all generate ginormous amount of money merchandise , TV rights lion share , sponsorships and match day pays and etc while other La Liga clubs choke in DEBT hoping if the develop a player they can get a big bucks for him . Hey still kudos to them , but never point a finger at other club before looking into the mirror . As far as Chelsea , I think you forgot that 5 years ago , when we brought Ancelottie we started rebuilding our team and philosophy and right now you are witnessing final stages . We brought players like Eden Hazard which I promise you , Real Madrid will want in the future , hell they are already want them . Player Like David Luiz who Barcelona desperately wanted in summer and etc. We have heavily invested in our academy and constantly making profit from transfers . We are building same powerhouse that Madrid has built and people do not like it .

Same goes with Barcelona , please check the net spend of the club because even fortunate with academy talent , Barcelona still spent some heavy amount on trasfers . Just recent one Neymar : tax fraud , hiked up price that rounds up to 100 million in different fees . Should I also remind that Neymar was coming to Chelsea 100% only in last minutes more money convinced him join Barca ? All this bull crap about him wanting to play along side Messi is for the news and barca fans . What was it like 40 million went to his dad only ? Good business Barcelona you know how to compete in transfer market . Kudos .

Btw that 7 trophy year that happened in 2009 would have happened if referee called at least one penalty for Chelsea . However , I guess it is hard work from Barcelona . I guess it was also hard work from Barcelona when Real lost semi final in 2011 , but Real's newspaper MARCA could not calm down about how referees robbed the match .

Then we have Bayern a team that plays 40+ million for defensive midfielder . Club who bullies same way other teams in Bundesliga in transfer market and in youth market , while others have to rely on their genius scouts to find young talents that Bayen did not notice or hope that academy will develop them fine player and eventually later sell them to save their "lives" in Bundesliga . Perfect financial model ? How is it working out for Schalke and Leverkusen , Dortmund , Wolfsburg , Bremen ?

Ofcourse it is easy to win titles in the league where you are 20 points ahead . Also , still bully own german club in CL . Shows that top club will do anything to get CL trophy . Before final they unsettled the squad by announcing that Gotze will be signed in summer then made speculations about Lewandowski and even Reus . Smart right ? Later in the final match Dante FORTUNATELY was not sent off after his disgraceful tackle on Reus not even yellow which is still beyond me . That have proved to be vital to the outcome of the match. Yet , just recently Arsenal got penalty and got their player sent off for an action goalkeeper was sort forced into but still it is red . Fair . However, lets be objective . That was unfortunate and Bayern not getting their player sent off , Dante , and top receiving penalty was fortunate that resulted in CL title .

In all honesty I always try to be as objective as I can be . I always try my best not be BIAS about anything. I do not make up stuff . I say what I saw during the matches and what I read . However what I said won't really matter to you or anyone else , because in the end history is written by victors and years from now , no one will care how and why these teams won their titles , they will simply be remembered as champions .

I am happy I just read this and it is coming from German legend . Just shows how scheduling is messed up . EPL Clubs play so many competitions and on top scheduling is phucking us over before we go to Europe . but it is something FA has to do about . and god damn TV stations .

Fulham boss Felix Magath hopes the Cottagers will be facing a tired. Chelsea after their midweek game in Europe in their Premier League derby on Saturday.

"When a team has played in the Champions League, it is always an advantage," Magath said. "We are lucky that Chelsea have had such a long trip to Istanbul to play on Wednesday. It's a good situation for us."I remember the situation - you have to stay at the airport, fly for a few hours and then play the game at night.

"Players can't sleep so well and are tired and then they have to spend more time at the airport. It bothers the players a lot."It gives us a chance. Chelsea are favourites, everyone knows that, but we'll try to fight and make a fast game. If we pressurise Chelsea then we have a good chance to win the game.

For those who talks too much about other club's spendings are extremely blinded by their club or hate for others. I said it once and I say it again that every club have spent and without spending they wouldn't win anything. If you look back in history you would notice that the ones who won the most trophies were much fortunate and much richer than other clubs that they could afford signing bigger names with a higher wages.

Random thoughts:

In 1999-00 Chelsea won 0-5 against Galatasary, while Real Madrid lost against them in UEFA super cup.
In 2012-13 Real Madrid lost 3-2 against Galatasary.

Meaning, do not underestimate Galatasaray at home. They never make it easy to literally anyone.

@Marcus

" For example , team like Real Sociedad can loose 7-0 in La Liga but when they are in knock out stage of copa del Rey they are completely different team"

What are you talking about? Sociedad never lost 7-0 in the league in the last two seasons. Ever. You sure you watch La Liga?

"I honestly would not be getting into argument about trophies and spending if I was Real Madrid fan . Real Madrid has spent little over billion euro in transfers in the last 10 years .. They broke like 4 or 5 transfer records just in past decade , getting the finest of the players in the world. Yet for the past 10 years Real won 6 trophies , right ? "

100% correct. And you can blame Perez. He never gives a manager patience or peace. His best decisions so far have been signing Mourinho and Ancelotti. Among his worst decisions were letting go of Makelele, Sneijder, and Robben without consulting the manager first, as well as overpaying for Bale.

But you are avoiding my point. I am saying that spending money the way Chelsea have is not a sure-fire way of winning trophies. I don't know why you're trying to say that I'm being hypocritical, because I openly admitted that Madrid's way of running the club is not correct. However, Bayern and Barcelona's methods are almost spot on. Chelsea, despite all their spending, will never be the same powerhouse that is FC Barcelona and FC Bayern Munchen. Not until Abramovic gets his sh*t together, and stops firing managers left and right all the time.

PS.

"Should I also remind that Neymar was coming to Chelsea 100% only in last minutes more money convinced him join Barca ? "

Erm, no. He was linked to Chelsea, but I don't know where you heard that he was coming to Chelsea because that's bullshit. He was headed to either Madrid or Barca, but Madrid weren't aggressive enough with the talks and Barca pounced on the opportunity.

@StevenLFC, exactly. But I am able to recognize that along with the fact that Ferguson himself made history with our club. The here and now is what matters. But when a club as big as Liverpool has been so abysmal for nearly a decade, dominated by newcomers Man City and Chelsea, I can understand why fans like you are so nostalgic about the past and use that to attack United as a club. Ignorance.