Hughes Bollox - Big four not invincible
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes believes the Premier League's traditional 'big four' no longer possess the same air of invincibility. In recent seasons the top four places in the table have been dominated by Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, but Hughes is spearheading a charge to break up that cartel.
City lie fifth in the table following Sunday's 1-1 draw at Wigan Athletic, while Tottenham sit third with Aston Villa and Sunderland also hot on their heels. Liverpool have been the chief strugglers so far this season after losing four of their opening nine games, leaving Hughes to predict an open race for the Premier League title.
"You sense the air of invincibility about the big four has gone, and that is good for the league," said Hughes. It also helps the cause of the two or three clubs - ourselves included - who have ambitions of breaking into that group
"This year has the potential to be as open as it has ever been. The top four teams will drop points. That has been evident at the beginning of the season and it will continue. What everyone is trying to do is get into a position by March or April where you are still in contention and you can be a factor.
There are going to be a lot of games of real significance at the end of this season rather than it just petering out really for some teams."That has to be good for the Premier League." Hughes also believes securing a point at Wigan with 10 men is a sign of the progress City have made over the past 12 months.
He added: "This was a point we probably wouldn't have got last year. Our mentality has changed with stronger characters coming into the club and we were able to see it out fairly comfortably in the end. In the circumstances we have to be reasonably happy with a point. Wigan are a good team, as they showed against Chelsea, and they will win more games than they lose here."
TRANSFER BOLLOX
Portsmouth are ready to make a move for Tottenham forward Giovani dos Santos.
Full story: Daily Mirror
OTHER BOLLOX
The Swedish Football Association want Notts County director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson to become the new manager of their national team. (Daily Mirror)
Referee Mike Jones is set to be withdrawn from next weekend's Premier League fixture list after allowing Darren Bent's winner against Liverpool to stand when it deflected in off a beach ball thrown on to the pitch by a supporter.The Sun
Stoke defender Robert Huth looks certain to be charged by the Football Association and may face a three-match ban after appearing to aim a punch at West Ham defender Matthew Upson on Saturday.The Sun
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he turned down a move to Real Madrid last summer because he wants to win the Champions League with Arsenal. The Sun
Fifa president Sepp Blatter will reiterate that England is the spiritual home of football and deserves to host the 2018 World Cup finals when he takes on a role with the world's oldest club on Monday. Blatter will officially accept the honorary presidency of the Sheffield FC Foundation.The Times
Mike Ashley has spoken publicly for the first time about retaining control of Newcastle United in the event of the club's long-running takeover saga failing to reach fruition.The Times
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AND FINALLY
Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo is set to become football's first billionaire, earning £16,000 per minute. The former Manchester United star is being offered £1.5m a game by foreign tycoons to show off his skills in a series of friendlies. Daily Star
Cheeky Manchester United fans plan a rendition of the pop classic 99 Red Balloons when they arrive at Anfield for Sunday's Premier League match against Liverpool. (The Sun)
The inflatable off of which Bent's strike veered into the net was official Liverpool merchandise, part of a beach set recently reduced to £10 in the club shop. (Various)
David Beckham's healthy food range has been kicked into touch by shoppers. Just £633 worth of microwave dishes - picturing the LA Galaxy midfielder and promising low fat pasta, noodles, omelettes and fish sticks - were sold last month. (Daily Star)
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