Both Arsenal and Aston Villa fell by the wayside in the final stages of the campaign.
While Arsenal were in the running for the championship along with Chelsea and Manchester United, Villa's attempt to claim a place in the Champions League faded in the straight for home.
Arsenal, who eventually finished third, found the going tough on their travels, losing seven times, two more than the two rivals above them.
After their elimination to Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in early April, the Gunners also failed to maintain their positive run in the domestic scene, winning only one of their five remaining Premier League games.
Manager Arsene Wenger had to contend with injuries to several key players, particularly at the back and also in midfield.
The departure of Kolo Toure and Emanuel Adebayor to Man. City was also a blow for Arsenal as their exit reduced the number of experienced players in the squad.
Despite all these limitations, Wenger still managed to lead Arsenal to Champions League qualification for the 13th consecutive season.
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill, who was at loggerheads with club owner Randy Lerner towards the end of the season, saw his side enjoy excellent runs in both domestic cup competitions.
On many occasions, Villa became the envy of other clubs who were impressed by the manner in which O'Neill balanced the side. Amazingly, Villa gained the same number of points (32) at home and away.
Although their second of nine wins on their travels was only second to Chelsea and Manchester United, the inconsistency at Villa Park let them down in the end. Yet, the total of 64 points was their best since the end of season 1992-93, when they finished second (under manager Ron Atkinson).
Without any shadow of doubt, James Milner was the ace in O'Neill's pack and he soon cemented his place in the England set-up for the World Cup.
At the Emirates, Cesc Fabregas, despite missing a good number of games through injuries, was again the one to watch.
After the dust had settled on the season, rumours again cropped up about the future of the Spanish ace as Barcelona continue to chase his signature.
KO competitions
Aston Villa enjoyed a good season in the domestic cups as they reached the final of the League Cup, going down 1-2 to Manchester United at Wembley, and the last four of the FA Cup.
At the same venue, the Midlanders bowed out to eventual winners Chelsea 0-3. The 7-1 mauling in the league by the Blues at Stamford Bridge dented Aston Villa's morale for the FA Cup semi-final.
Aston Villa suffered an early exit in the newly-formed Europa League as they lost to lowly Rapid Vienna in the play-offs on the away goals rule.
Arsenal worked their socks off in the Champions League and won their group. After they thrashed Porto in the first KO stage, they faced holders Barcelona with a patched-up side and were halted in their stride 3-6 on aggregate.
The Gunners' youth team reached the last eight of the League Cup but found Manchester City a stumbling block at Eastlands, going down 0-3.
In the FA Cup, Arsenal were shocked by Stoke who won 3-1 at the Britannia Stadium in round four.