Pennant Fever

We are now halfway through the season -- 19 games played, and 19 to go.  It's been an odd season.  Aston Villa, which has not been relegated from the top flight since the 1986-87 season, is currently in last place with a record of 1-13-5.  Defending champion Chelsea, still mired in 14th place with a record of 5-9-5, has already fired its manager.  There are rumors that Manchester United, currently in 6th place with a record of 8-5-6, may soon fire its manager and replace him with Jose Mourinho, who was just fired by Chelsea.  It would be appalling for Man Utd to get Mourinho only two years after Sir Alex Ferguson retired -- it would be like how UNC got Roy Williams so soon after Dean Smith retired.  But as the UNC example shows, appalling things sometimes happen in sport.

Meanwhile, Leicester City, who surprised everyone by climbing to the top of the league a few weeks ago, has hit a rough patch, losing 1-0 at Liverpool and drawing 0-0 at home against Manchester City.  Leicester City also got a terrible draw in the Third Round of the F.A. Cup -- they have to visit Tottenham Hotspur.  But my guess is that their fans are still pretty happy with the season thus far.

Meanwhile, the top of the table now looks like this.  (I would note that Arsenal has had the same manager since 1996):

1.  Arsenal:  12-4-3 (39 points) (goal differential of 15)
2.  Leicester City:  11-2-6 (39 points) (goal differential of 12)
3.  Man City:  11-5-3 (36 points)
4.  Spurs:  9-2-8 (35 points)
5.  Crystal Palace:  9-6-4 (31 points)
6.  Man Utd:  8-5-6 (30 points) (goal differential of 6)
7.  Liverpool:  8-5-6 (30 points) (goal differential of 0)