HAVING a dislike for winners is a sadistic trait that football fans seem to revel in.

When a team is forever winning, the more we want to see them fail. It’s an odd situation but it’s true nonetheless.

To many, there’s nothing better than watching the successful endure a public fall from grace. I’d like to say I’m innocent in this but I’m not.

Take Manchester United. Such was their dominance of the Premier League for the best part of two decades that giving them credit became almost begrudging, no matter how good they were to watch.

It made seeing them flounder and struggle once Sir Alex Ferguson had retired, like most other teams had done during their reign, all the more satisfying.

The same is currently happening with Chelsea, even if this doesn’t look like the end of an era just yet. It’ll be Manchester City next, if it isn’t already.

Seeing the Blues hovering over the bottom three, albeit after only five games, is immensely enjoyable.

When manager Jose Mourinho said people liked to see his side struggle, he was right.

Perhaps it’s because we are jealous of their riches; maybe it’s because Mourinho himself has rubbed too many people up the wrong way and overstepped the mark too often.

The way he publicly humiliated his medical staff for example.

Or perhaps it’s just because we are fed up with seeing the same teams at the top.

It’s rather refreshing to see a few others in the mix.

The Premier League has been predictable for too long and, while Manchester City are still leading the way, watching Chelsea stumble while the likes of Leicester, Crystal Palace and Swansea thrive is thoroughly welcome.

It makes for a much better spectacle and long may it continue.