In the Premier League this season, the number of open-play goals, shots and passes are all the lowest in years. There have been just six wins by four goals or more, compared with 33 two years ago. Arsenal are on course to win the league with 84 points, nine fewer the average of the champions over the past decade. Some 28 per cent of goals this season have come from corners, free-kicks and penalties, compared with 19 per cent five years ago. Phone-ins, podcasts and message-boards are full of journalists, pundits and fans lamenting how boring the Premier League has become.

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Not so: this is the most interesting Premier League season in years. The biggest concern about the competition in the past decade has been the impact of soaring revenue at the top end generating a predictable and uninspiring competition, with Manchester City racking up the title wins like Bayern Munich in Germany and Paris Saint-Germain in France. This season has put that fear to bed. Instead, it is more difficult than ever to win matches in the Premier League.

This year’s league table defies logic. The champions, Liverpool, added three exceptional forwards to their team, but were first too chaotic and are now too slow. They........

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