Premier League chief: Only the top four matter

While supporters here are increasingly frustrated that the fight for the Premiership has become a moneydriven, foregone conclusion with each passing season — and the rich simply getting richer — last night Scudamore insisted such a scenario is good news for the game's profile abroad.

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Speaking from Hong Kong, where free-spending Liverpool are competing with unfashionable Fulham and Portsmouth in the Asia Trophy, Scudamore dismissed concerns back home about the predictable nature of the Premiership title race.

He likened the dominance of the socalled big four to that of Tiger Woods in golf or Roger Federer in tennis, saying: "The talk about only certain teams being able to win the Premier League is a bit of a domestic phenomenon. In Asia, it is almost completely the opposite.

"The fans here are excited by the fact it is the clubs they have heard of who are winning. It is like the Tiger Woods or Roger Federer factor.

"People may want other players to win the major championships, but when those two do it there is more interest."

Scudamore's words are likely to infuriate loyal fans of those sides seen as second and third tier. Barring a solitary crown for Blackburn Rovers in 1995, United, Chelsea and Arsenal have dominated the Premiership title race ever since the League's inception 15 years ago.

But with domestic and overseas television contracts set to earn the Premier League almost £2billion over the next three years, the financial health of the game in England has become paramount for those in charge, even if the trickle-down of wealth has not seen the silverware spread among the lesser lights.

Scudamore is clearly keen to expand the Premier League's enormous profile further in Asia, even if the potential markets are only interested in watching the glamour sides on their television screens.

He added: "It is stating the obvious, but the Asian market have to consume most of their Premier League football very remotely, via TV. But the one thing that strikes anyone who comes out here is the fact the fans have an absolutely intense interest and knowledge in our domestic football.

"I know some people in England would say true fans are the ones who travel to an away game on a wet November night. But the people in Asia are just as fanatical about their football.

"It is a positive thing for all of us when we take an opportunity to give them a chance to touch and feel what they see on their television screens all year."

Scudamore was forced to admit that barring a shock, the army of fans in Asia — just like those back home — are likely to see yet another four-horse race for the Premiership title and Champions League slots.

He said: "It does matter that our League is competitive. Nobody is talking about a one-club league any more. The question is, how many more do you add into the mix?

"Liverpool are clearly having a go and you can never write Arsenal off. Who knows, at some point there may be a surprise and another club may force their way into the gang of four?"