EPL: Upsets provides window of opportunity for underachievers

Again, glancing at Everton the same level of ingenuity is evident. Roberto Martinez could scarcely believe his luck when Jose Mourinho let Romelu Lukaku join his ranks on loan – the Belgian international has become somewhat of a goal-scoring addict since arriving at Goodison Park. Along with this, the former Wigan Athletic boss also showed a very astute side to his transfer-market tradings in acquiring the signatures of both James McCarthy and Gareth Barry.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 23: Romelu Lukaku of Everton celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on November 23, 2013 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

With a terrifically strong spine to his team, the platform to challenge purposefully on the domestic front has been lain down and the Toffees look set to give it a right go.

In stark contrast to the uber-conservative David Moyes at Manchester United, Martinez saw the potential of building a side from scratch. It’s clear he wants his side to become a new thorn in the side of all the title contenders, thereby gifting them the chance to plant the seeds of a growing ambition.

Moving on, although Tottenham’s experiment has yet to flourish fully, it’s very easy to see them becoming a major player in the Premier League in the next season or two as well. Then again, it’s only mid-way through the season and with the go-getting, positive Andre Villas-Boas at the helm, things may well pick up come the turn of the New Year.

Looking at Chelsea, they’ve not been revolutionary enough and have lacked an apparent eagerness to solve their centre-forward quandary. By bringing Jose Mourinho back – a tried and tested method – it’s plain to see that the ambition of Roman Abramovich et all aren’t quite as rebellious as the clubs around him. Reverting back to type seems far too retrograde for a club that now finds themselves in a four-horse race for the title, and it’s obvious they need fresh ideas.

As for Manchester City, a failure to bring in any new world-class signings before the summer transfer window closed has ensured that their weaknesses from previous seasons remain. Having already lost four times – a mere two shy of the six they lost in the whole of last season – it’s clear that others have begun to exploit the lingering weaknesses.

Cardiff and Sunderland, two of the league’s worst sides so far this season have already managed to claim their scalp, so it’s difficult to see them re-emerge the other side of December revamped by Manuel Pellegrini yet another manager brought in before the season started.

For the likes of the Black Cats, Newcastle and Everton to taste victories they’ve not experienced for several decades, underlines exactly how great the recent order has been upset. Years of frustration and regret have washed over these clubs in the past few weeks and the often debilitating fear that held them down for so long seems to have been shrugged off to a certain extent.

As well as adding to the sheer drama and excitement of the league so far, it is these wonderful against-the-odds victories that underpin the ongoing struggle between the old guard and the new. With surprising, provocative and imaginative ideas clashing with some antiquated, stubborn tactics week-in, week-out, it might well be time for a role-reversal as the dominated rails against its oppressor to become the dominant.

The struggle may not go as planned. The counter-attack against those used to success might not work. But the revolution will be televised, and it certainly promises to be an exhilarating watch.