Barclays Premier League 2013-14: My Review

With the crowning of Manchester City as the new English Champions, the curtains came down on what has been the most competitive season of Barclays Premier League for quite some time. A season filled with emotions and nervy encounters, it was a fitting ending with the trophy going back to the blue part of Manchester. Over a hundred goals for both Liverpool and Manchester City, the David Moyes saga, return of Liverpool and Arsenal in the title race, the rise of Crystal Palace and Sunderland from the brinks of relegation under Tony Pulis and Gus Poyet respectively, controversies at the owners’ end in both the Cardiff City and Hull City camps and the horrendous and nightmare season for Manchester United were some of the highlights of a fantastic season of Barclays Premier League. The icing on the cake: the last day title decider respective matches of both Manchester City and Liverpool.

Many wondered if the transfers of some of the star players to other leagues, notably Gareth Bale, Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli among others have considerably reduced the star power of the Premier League and if the current crop of stars had in them to maintain the glittering status that the Barclays Premier League has lived upon. But this season showed why the Premier League is the most successful and most watched football league in the world. Luis Suarez, Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero, Wayne Rooney, Eden Hazard, Mesut Ozil and Juan Mata, along with a host of other star performers have showed that star power never ceases to drown in English football with their blistering shows. And with many potential future stars namely Romelu Lukaku, Luke Shaw, Adnan Januzuj, Rahim Sterling amongst others, have showed this season that they can be a considerable force too in a highly competitive environment of the Premier League. With no English teams featuring in the UEFA Champions League final for the second successive season, many pundits have thrown out their views that the Premier League has lost its sheen and quality. But the current season ended on a high, with such drama and excitement, like  Arsenal topping the standings for some 128 days and still losing out, Liverpool almost winning the League for the first time after 24 years, Chelsea also showing title ambitions and the Herculean task of lifting out Sunderland from relegation have only shown why the EPL is considered the most competitive league, which I believe only the Spanish La Liga can match to a certain extent, thanks to Athletico Madrid’s heroic performances this season. With two teams scoring over a hundred goals this season, and with hopes high for the next season, with even more twists and turns expected, I expect Manchester United to be back in the fray as well, which I missed very much this season. Till then, be happy. Respect women. Respect all. Happy reading.