Pennant Fever

Well, the moment I feared has arrived; Manchester United has retaken control of the race. Over the weekend, Manchester City -- which hasn't won the title since 1968 -- lost 1-0 at Swansea City, which is currently mired in 11th place. Thus, they were overtaken by Manchester United, which wins the title almost every year. City hosts United on April 30, but I think we can all see where this is headed.

In other news, Chelsea fired their manager, as they are now on the verge of missing next year's European Cup by finishing outside the Top 4. In June 2004, Chelsea hired Jose Mourinho, a wizard-like manager known as "the Special One." With him as manager, Chelsea won the English Premier League in 2004-05 and 2005-06. But the British press loathed Mourinho -- as they loathe almost everyone who is successful -- and Chelsea's high-powered team did not win the European Cup. So after Chelsea finished second in the Premier League in the 2006-07 season, Mourinho's days were numbered, and he left in September 2007.

Since that time -- a period of less than five years -- Chelsea has had six different managers, from five different countries. (And that's not counting a seventh guy who served as a caretaker for only one game). They have not won the Premier League. They have not won the European Cup. Meanwhile, Mourinho went to Italy, where he won the European Cup with Inter Milan. And now he's in Spain, where he has Real Madrid rolling through this year's European Cup playoffs. So take that, Chelsea.

With 10 games left in the season, here are your top 7:

1. Man Utd: 21-3-4 (67 points)
2. Man City: 21-4-3 (66 points)
3. Spurs: 16-7-5 (53 points)
4. Arsenal: 16-8-4 (52 points)
5. Chelsea: 14-7-7 (49 points)
6. Newcastle: 12-8-8 (44 points)
7. Liverpool: 11-8-9 (42 points)