Chelsea and Manchester United stuttering in the Premier League, Liverpool out of the Champions League, Tottenham scoring 9 in one match, Silverstone sealed to host the British Grand Prix for 17 more years, Tiger Woods's indefinite break from golf, Michael Schumacher's imminent return to Formula 1: these last four weeks have produced a number of astounding news stories in the sporting world.
The action in the Premier League has been intensifying. Not many still has a clue as to who are the favourites to win the title really are. With Arsenal's recent win over Liverpool, the race has become a three-horse race yet again, with the diminutive Russian Andrei Arshavin now becoming a focal point in the Gunners' attacking moves.
And Arsenal have capitalised on Chelsea's and Manchester United's slip-ups over the weekend. Chelsea drew 3-3 against Everton in an error-strewn performance from The Blues, while Man Utd unexpectedly lost against Aston Villa 1-0 at Old Trafford. Gabriel Agbonlahor converted Ashley Young's near-post cross to score the only goal of the game to improve his credentials of slipping into Fabio Capello's squad for next summer's World Cup.
So things are seemingly hotting up at the summit of the Barclays Premier League, while Liverpool look to be having cold feet at the other end. With their recent run - 3 wins in 14 league and cup games - at this rate they will struggle to confirm their spot in the Champions League next season after having the most horrific campaign in a long while this year.
Meanwhile, hot off the press (Sky Sports News source) David Gold and David Sullivan have tabled a £50m bid to take full control of West Ham United. The Hammers have been struggled for the last couple of years financially since Egnert Magnussen left in nonchalent fashion. This could be the breakthrough what most fans and the staff would have wished for to add some much-needed stability and an air of security, since the current owners, Icelandic company CB Holdings out of the Hansa Group, are financially ravaged.
Dean Ashton gave up any hope of a comeback to a claret and blue shirt by announcing his retirement at the age of just 26. Ashton would have been a main contender of participating at the World Cup such was his quality of centre-forward play. Strong, mobile, and technically sound, Ashton certainly had the potential of partnering Wayne Rooney in South Africa. It is a shame to see such potential wasted because of an innocuous challenge in England training in September 2006.
Liverpool's Champions League exit was unexpected and poses more question whether Rafa Benitez is the right man for the Kop job. His past team selections have been nothing short of confusing. His five-year spell, in which he has brought in 73 players to the club, only Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are currently regarded as the only two world-class players likely to score on a consistent basis. Their league form has too deteriorated in recent times under Torres' and Gerrard's absence.
The Real Madrid - Barcelona La Liga match in November was intriguing to say the least. Million of euros' worth of world-class talent, especially with Madrid who spent over ∊220m over the course of last summer. 1-0 to Barcelona it finished, thanks to Zlatan Ibrahimovic's 56th-minute volley from 6 yards. Cristiano Ronaldo looked physically fit, but has been hindered by niggling injuries early in his Madrid career.
Over to Formula One. New points systems look to be put in place, with the race winner awarded 25 points, second place awarded 20 points and third 15, evidently offering more incentive in winning races.
Silverstone has signed an agreement with the sport's governing body to host the British Grand Prix for the next 17 years. The news is wonderful for British motorsport fans who have witnessed fantastic races there over a number of years. It is still regarded as one of the fastest and toughest courses in the Grand Prix calender, so F1 best drivers still gives the circuit great respect.
Michael Schumacher is expected to team up with Nico Rosberg to form the newly rebranded Mercedes GP team. The 40year old last competed in 2006, nearly winning his eighth title, only to be edged by Ferando Alonso, who ironically now will be driving a Ferrari in 2010. Schumacher's awaited return is due to breathe new light into the sport, with which if his car turns out to be competitive, could face Lewis Hamilton, Alonso, Massa and current World Champion Jenson Button for the Drivers title. We wait with baited breath for Bahrain in March.
Tiger Woods said he will not compete in any golf tournaments for the time being to dedicate his time with his family. He admitted in a press statement on his website (tigerwoods.com) that he committed infedelity, and can only hope he can resolve his personal issues as he is a formidable force in golf and a marketable star. Due to his disgressions, he has lost sponsorships Accenture and has lost much press commitments with Gillette. It is predicted that Woods might not compete in the whole of next season, but US fans hope he can compete in the US Masters, the first major in the golfing season, in April.
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