Big 4 dominance at EPL

Another major criticism is the development of the so-called "Big Four" clubs. From the 2005-06 season onwards, the "Big Four" (Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea) have dominated the top four spots (Only Everton in 2004 - 2005 have broken this sequence), thus a place in the UEFA Champions League. Since Blackburn Rovers lifted the trophy in 1994–95, only three clubs have won the Premier League title – Manchester United (nine of the club's eleven titles), Arsenal (three times) and Chelsea (twice). In addition, Manchester United have not finished outside the top three since the formation of the Premier League, with Arsenal finishing inside the top five in all but two seasons, while Liverpool, without an English league title since the pre-Premier League era, have only finished outside the top 4 twice in the last 10 years. Also, in the last two seasons, three of the "Big Four" teams have reached the Champions League semi-final stage, and all four teams have reached the quarter final stage, with the team eliminated being eliminated by another member of the "Big Four". Also, in the last four years, two members of the big four have won the Champions League (Liverpool in 2005, Manchester United in 2008) and each of the big four has been a runner up in the last four years (Arsenal in 2006, Liverpool in 2007, Chelsea in 2008 and Manchester United in 2009). In recent years, the success of these clubs has led to these four teams being increasingly referred to as the "Big Four". The Big Four clubs have finished in the first four positions for the last four seasons, therefore they have all qualified for the last three seasons of the Champions League and receive the financial benefits of such qualification. The benefits, especially increased revenue, is believed to have widened the gap between the Big Four clubs and the rest of the Premier League. In May 2008, Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan said the Big Four's dominance threatened the division, saying, "This league is in danger of becoming one of the most boring but great leagues in the world." Following Keegan's comments, Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore defended the league, saying, "There are a lot of different tussles that go on in the Premier League depending on whether you're at the top, in the middle or at the bottom that make it interesting."

Liverpool Logo

Liverpool Soccer Stadium

Manchester United Logo

Marcelo Pantanella of The Times also criticised the widening financial power of the division's top teams, naming the Premier League the 2nd worst thing about modern football, saying "What’s changed since the Premier League broke away from the Football League in 1992? Everything. If you won the First Division title, you were the best team in England. If you win the Premier League, you owe someone £500 million.

Arsenal Club Logo

About English Premier League

The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier League is a corporation in which the 20 member clubs act as shareholders. Seasons run from August to May, with teams playing 38 games each. It is sponsored by Barclays Bank and therefore officially known as the Barclays Premier League.

Logo of English Premier League

The competition formed as the FA Premier League on 20 February 1992 following the decision of clubs in the Football League First Division to break away from The Football League, which was originally founded in 1888, and take advantage of a lucrative television rights deal. The Premier League has since become the world's most watched sporting league. It is the world's most lucrative football league, with combined club revenues of £1.93 billion ($3.15bn) in 2007–08. It is also ranked first in the UEFA coefficients of leagues based on performances in European competitions over the last five years, ahead of Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A.

A total of 43 clubs have competed in the Premier League, but only four have won the title: Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Arsenal, and Chelsea. The current champions are Manchester United, who won their eleventh Premier League title in the 2008–09 season, the most of any Premier League team.

IPL 2009 May 24 Match Results Scoreboard

Winner of This Mach Deccan Chargers are DLF IPL 2009 Winner

Deccan Chargers vs Bangalore Royal Challengers

DLF IPL 2009 Champion - Photo
May 24, 2009 : IPL 2009 FINAL : IPL Hyderabad won by 6 runs
IPL Hyderabad vs IPL Bangalore, Final Match
New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Umpires: R Koertzen (SA) and S Taufel (AUS) Third Umpire: D Harper (AUS)
Match Referee: J Srinath (IND)
Toss: IPL Bangalore (Elected to Field)
Result: IPL Hyderabad won by 6 runs

Man of the Match: Anil Kumble

Cricket - IPL 2010 News

IPL 2009 May 23 Match Results Scoreboard

Chennai Super Kings vs Bangalore Royal Challengers
May 23, 2009 : IPL 2009 : IPL Bangalore won by 6 wickets
IPL Chennai vs IPL Bangalore, 2nd Semi Final Match
New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Umpires: R Koertzen (SA) and S Taufel (AUS) Third Umpire: I Howell (SA)
Match Referee: J Srinath (IND)
Toss: IPL Bangalore (Elected to Field)
Result: IPL Bangalore won by 6 wickets
Man of the Match: Manish Pandey

IPL 2009 May 22 Match Results Scoreboard

1st Semi Final of IPL 2009
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Delhi Daredevils vs Deccan Chargers
May 22, 2009 : IPL 2009 : IPL Hyderabad won by 6 wickets
IPL Delhi vs IPL Hyderabad, 1st Semi Final Match
SuperSport Park, Centurion
Umpires: B Doctrove (WI) and D Harper (AUS) Third Umpire: R Koertzen (SA)
Match Referee: S Venkataraghavan (IND)
Toss: IPL Hyderabad (Elected to Field)
Result: IPL Hyderabad won by 6 wickets

Man of the Match: Adam Gilchrist