Written in the stars.

Chelsea finished sixth in the recently concluded Premier League season. But how that statistic pales in comparison to their latest achievement is something that only Roman Abramovich can describe. That long-coveted piece of silverware which eluded him for eight seasons in a row – amid a despairing series of events – finally has pride of place in the trophy cabinet at Stamford Bridge.

Agreed, it might not have been a brand of football that Abramovich has advocated since he took over the club in 2003. In fact, it blatantly veers from 'beautiful' football; a notion that has ushered a revolving door of managers. But after having bank-rolled millions of his pounds over the years into building and rebuilding this Chelsea team, he has finally earned the most prized return on his investments.

Purists may argue that Bayern Munich were the better team on the night while Chelsea merely repelled projectiles and fed on scraps throughout the game. But to those still struggling with the concept of giving Chelsea credit, here's a simple truth: with four key players banned, they won the Champions League in Bayern's own arena. So, enough said about which was the 'better' team.

Ironically, the man so often guilty of falling to ground at the slightest prod was the one to rise the highest and plant a game-changing header into the back of the net. His remarkable aerial prowess was pressed into service even in defence. The architect of numerous cup wins and titles, Didier Drogba can finally stake his claim for greatness and stretch his palm out for that two-year contract.

Chelsea's season-ending flourish may not have existed even as a fragment when Andre Villas-Boas was shown the door after the successive losses at West Brom and Napoli. For many, it spelt the worst time in the club's history. But how Roberto Di Matteo has raised them from their lowest ebb and into the ambit of greatness should have the manager's job served to him on a gilded platter. Surely!

Not many would have placed their bets on the FA Cup winners. In fact, Chelsea were only two minutes away from yet another heartbreak when their new-found self belief finally rose to the occasion. So often awarded with bitter agony having lost out in two last-16 rounds, one quarter-final, three semis, and a final, at long last, glory was written in the stars. And no team deserved it more.

Changing the game.

It's exactly a week on from the moment Bolton's Fabrice Muamba collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest in the FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Shock and horror gripped the global footballing fraternity, leave alone the 28,000 gathered inside the stadium. While the miracle makers at London Chest Hospital have set Muamba on the long road to recovery, the FA has ascertained that Premier League footballers could be screened more regularly for heart defects. It's a decision that has been greeted with immediate agreement from coaches and administrators alike. And it's a change the game badly needed.

As Gary Cahill's deflected goal on the hour gave Chelsea a lead they did not deserve at the Etihad, Roberto Mancini turned to Carlos Tevez, back as a substitute in the City ranks. Until then, opinion remained divided on whether Mancini had made an astute decision or the other extreme. But as is the wont of the supremely talented, Tevez showed incredible composure and peerless vision in a heavily-populated penalty area to slip a sublime reverse pass into the path of Samir Nasri for City's winner. Game over. Three points earned, still firmly in the title race. And any doubts about Tevez's game-changing abilities were shot to pieces.

The frustration and anxiety that had been bubbling under Arsenal supporters not too long ago have been swiftly transformed into worthy praise. Seven wins in a row in the league - even amidst the unceremonious exit from the Champions League - have fast-tracked the Gunners into third place. It remains to be seen where they'll finish. But on the evidence of current form, there's every possibility Arsenal could leave Spurs and Chelsea trailing in their wake. What has Wenger done different since the 3-2 defeat against Swansea in January? Nothing, other than simply believe in his squad. And that's game-changing enough.

Who writes these scripts?

Not long after Manchester United put five goals each past Wigan and Fulham – without conceding any – they cave in 2-3 at home to lowly Blackburn. Aston Villa dump Chelsea 1-3 at Stamford Bridge shortly before their meek 0-2 surrender to Swansea at Villa Park. Manchester City, hailed as the invincibles only a few weeks ago, struggle to find the back of the net at West Brom or at Sunderland. Therein missing out on five points that they would have gleefully lapped up. Liverpool have been blowing hot and cold since September. Dropping points at home to Blackburn right after letting Wigan off the hook at the DW Stadium. At no point have they made a compelling case to finish in the top four, leave alone pitch themselves as title contenders. Distractions in the form of the Suarez sub-plot aren't doing their lofty ambitions any favours either.

For the most part, Arsenal's campaign seemed firmly on course before Fulham and Wolves upset the applecart. Chelsea couldn't buy a clean sheet at the moment even with the owner's millions. And six points out of a possible 16 don't represent credentials of a club aiming for the honours. Which leaves us with Tottenham, the only ones who seem to be ploughing through without any deviant iterations to the script. Here's a little spice to add into the melting pot now. The festive season is now a thing of the past. The transfer window is upon us again. And there will be a few clubs dipping into the coffers for a bargain. Speaking of which, there are a few players ripe for the picking. As for the title, it's a toss-up between the two giants of Manchester – the new claim to fame of the Europa League. That wasn't part of their script now, was it?