Sporting shocks: Japan stun Springboks, Hammers humble Man City

Slaven Bilic’s side have really raised their game away from home, knocking off other heavyweights Arsenal and Liverpool on other trips this term, and they now see themselves up to third in the table. Hammers fans may have worried how their fortunes would fare after their embarrassing early Europa League exit during the qualification phase.

#WHUFC first team in 10 years to beat Arsenal, Liverpool & Man City away in a season. Can't believe they didn't get rid of Sam sooner

— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) September 19, 2015

Victor Moses, a loan signing from defending Premier League champions Chelsea, struck early at the Etihad to give West Ham a surprise lead and Senegal striker Diafra Sakho doubled their lead on half an hour.

Kevin De Bruyne’s first Man City goal on the stroke of half-time set up an interesting second 45, but the visiting defence stood strong to their hosts. Manuel Pellegrini’s men, still odds-on 8/15 favourites to regain the title, can respond to successive defeats domestically and in the Champions League, as they play relegation candidates Sunderland in a Capital One Cup clash in midweek.

Finally, during a weekend of shocks, Lewis Hamilton looked to go level with boyhood hero and Formula 1 legend Ayrton Senna’s tally of Grand Prix wins in Singapore, but had to retire and thus handed victory to Sebastian Vettel.

"The worst bit is we don't understand it" Rosberg and Hamilton talk #SingaporeGP struggles http://t.co/g5OQBTN6R6 pic.twitter.com/1XXhUuclOG

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 20, 2015

Hamilton is of course still a firm odds-on 1/6 favourite to take the Drivers’ Championship, but all may not be well in the Mercedes camp.