Almost a decade ago it felt like just four big clubs – Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool – had a monopoly on the Premier League’s Champions League spots, but the rise of Manchester City and Tottenham, the competition for those places has become tougher with each and every season.
The pressure on managers and players is higher than ever before, an FA Cup win suddenly seems far more relevant than it was a few years ago. Winning the FA Cup isn’t the same as qualifying for the Champions League, but it can definitely act as a strong consolation prize for a side that does miss out – see Chelsea this season, for example.
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