Manchester City boss Mark Hughes believes the Premier League's traditional 'big four' are now vulnerable to challenge from the rest of the Premiership. In recent seasons the top four places in the table have been dominated by Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, but City, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Sunderland are hot on their heels.
"You sense the air of invincibility about the big four has gone, and that is good for the league," said Hughes.
"It also helps the cause of the two or three clubs - ourselves included - who have ambitions of breaking into that group.
"This year has the potential to be as open as it has ever been. The top four teams will drop points. That has been evident at the beginning of the season and it will continue.
"What everyone is trying to do is get into a position by March or April where you are still in contention and you can be a factor.
"There are going to be a lot of games of real significance at the end of this season rather than it just petering out really for some teams.
"That has to be good for the Premier League."
