Chelsea march on at the top of the PL after a home win over resurgent Swansea while Liverpool's challenge for CL places is fading after a poor run of results in 2017, culminating in a 3-1 loss at manager less Leicester City. City were in real danger of relegation after winning the Premiership in May and had taken their poor PL form into the Champions League (CL). A poor first-half in the 2-1 defeat in Sevilla triggered Claudio Ranieri's shock departure just a couple of weeks after getting the Chairman's dreaded vote of confidence.
The battle for Premiership promotion is hotting up with Rafa's Toon and Chris Hughton's Seagulls locking heads at the top with surprise package Huddersfield Town hot on their tails. Newcastle have edged ahead after coming back from a goal down to win away at the Amex against their rivals.
The story of the FA Cup continues to be dominated by non league sides Sutton United and Lincoln City. Sutton put up a good show in their 2-0 defeat at home to Arsenal in an event overshadowed by 'piegate', rotund reserve keeper Wayne Shaw getting carried away with the publicity he had been receiving and lost his job at the club as result. Lincoln stunned Burnley with a late winner at Turf Moor to earn a quarter final tie at The Emirates. Arsenal facing non league clubs in two consecutive rounds, could Arsenal's name be on the cup this year? They will need an incredible change in fortune to overturn the four goal deficit against Bayern in the CL.
Real Madrid have been overtaken by Barcelona after some stuttering form, although Real have a game in hand it is Barca that have hit a consistent winning run. Sevilla are hot on the heals of the top two as only two points separate the three teams. Gareth Bale had an out of character tantrum to earn a red card early in the second half against Las Palmas, but Real came back from two goals down late in the game to salvage 3-3 draw. Juventus and Bayern Munich retain healthy leads in their respective leagues.
Local non league side Eastleigh emerged from another topsy-turvy week following Martin Allen's sacking to earn a creditable 1-1 draw with Hampshire rivals Aldershot Town. Richard Hill returned to the club to become the National League side's fourth manager this season. Local celebrity Wayne Shaw was inundated with selfie requests as he (allegedly) made his way to the catering van at the Silverlake Stadium.