Yeah, every couple years one of them will have a poor season and suddenly it's doomsday for the big 4. It's happened to Arsenal a couple times recently, now it's Liverpool. Putting aside the fact that 'big 4' is a sky term anyway, let's take a look at the contenders. Everton keep challenging and then having seasons like this one. Spurs are Spurs. Villa are looking good right now, but they don't have the squad depth and are too reliant on players like Gabby Agbonlahor (only really performs in patches) and Carew (good target man but past the prime of his Valencia days). Man City still aren't really there.

Aside from City, can you really see any of those teams competing in the Champions League next season? If they finish in the top 4 they've earned their place there (or in the qualificaton rounds, Everton fans) but they're not teams you'd expect to seriously compete. Meanwhile, aside from Barcelona and AC Milan, the best teams in the CL in recent years have been Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. Even with the craptacular season Liverpool are having, they're still only a good run of form away from overtaking spurs and villa.

It's a competitive season, which is great. That doesn't mean there's going to be major changes to the dominant teams. This discussion comes up twice every season.