Curbishley praises Premiership

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley has admitted that the Premiership has been a struggle this year in his first full season, but declared that he believes the Premiership is the strongest in the world after three of the last four sides in the Champions League were English.

"I think the Champions League has been a fantastic spectacle and it just shows how strong the Premier League is with three teams in the semi-finals and Arsenal as well who put in a fantastic effort.

"You find the Premier League if you look at Derby, who for some time have been stranded, but week-in week-out putting their lot in and have took Liverpool and Manchester United to the wire.

"Other teams have played against the top four and caused upsets.

"I think the Premier League is the strongest and most competitive it has been for some time and I think that is borne out by the success of the top four in the Champions League."