There is a difference in the league this year due to a number of factors imho.
Money has and always will play a massive part in it, however Man City are the exceptions rather than the rule now, Manu are really spending and their squad isn't as frightening as it used to be, Ambramovich has pumped £100's Million into Chelsea and has an aging squad and new rules next year, Arsenal with the Emirates haven't been spending and Liverpool haven't really been spending. Spurs needed to spend heavily as they were in big trouble season before last. I think owners are starting to realise spending is a bit like being a hard man, eventually you come across someone harder or you get old, with money its someone with deeper pockets (ala City) or you go skint (ala Liverpool).
On top of that teams have changed their attitude to the top 4 and no longer go and lie down but have a go as they have nothing to lose, this has helped in some of the results. This has helped changed the attitude of other teams going to these grounds.
As for teams making a profit in the EPL, just look at Manu, Liverpool, Chelsea most are not.
The EPL has been like a runaway merrygoround with ever increasing transfer fees and wages with the result of clubs just losing money, eventually everyone bar the very few exceptions will be thrown off if it is not slowed down.
In the old division pre EPL better players were spread about a bit more, although Manu, Liverpool always bought the best, imho its much better for all fans and the league if we see a return towards that. Squad sizes and financial rules will help, its nit just a problem in the EPL but all the leagues across Europe.
As an example if you look at City's recent purchase, most mid table teams could improve their sides significant by adding 2/3 players for what City have shelled out, but all of them can't afford to do that.