Weekend in pictures: Premier League top four and Six Nations galore

Chris Smalling’s face below just about sums it up…

Despite Anthony Martial’s earlier leveller, the Red Devils could not find a late equaliser in the Northeast, handing the Black Cats a crucial three points in the relegation scrap and placing their own top four chances in jeopardy.

Chelsea battering gives Newcastle Blues

It was a case of double trouble, as Chelsea summer signing Pedro finally shook off the shackles, a symbol for the Stamford Bridge side’s revival himself, to bag a brilliant brace as the Bues thrashed Newcastle United 5-1.

Chelsea fans will now be wondering whether this swashbuckling and deadly display signals there is still a chance for silverware this season. While, Magpies defender Steven Taylor summed up his side’s afternoon, stating: “It’s worse than getting kicked in the nuts.”

Welbeck rises to give Gunners momentum

Leicester City were down to 10 men, Arsenal had already drawn level and were peppering the Foxes box to no avail. With just moments left in what was a thrilling and feisty fixture, it was left to the Gunners’ second super sub to deliver the deciding blow.

Former Manchester United marksman Danny Welbeck, returning from a long stay on the sidelines, rose highest, powering in the winning header with moments to spare. Will this goal prove iconic as Arsenal push for the title?

Liverpool smash Villa for six

Its been a woeful few weeks for Liverpool, but the Reds completed a sublime six-goal rout against relegation risks Aston Villa.

Even defenders Nathaniel Clyne and Kolo Toure got in one the act, with the latter’s sliding celebration sparking a social media frenzy. To be fair, it was his first strike in red…

Citizen Kane capitalises as Sterling concedes spot-kick

The second headline game on Super Sunday between Manchester City and Tottenham waited a while before sputtering into action, but when it did there was spades of controversy.

Raheem Sterling was adjudged to have handled the ball in the City box, though replays show it was the England winger’s torso that was struck first. This did not matter much to Spurs leading man Harry Kane, who stepped up to smash his spot-kick home, and his side into the lead, as Tottenham ran out 2-1 winners in Manchester.

Horse Racing heats up ahead of Cheltenham Festival

We’re a month away from the start of the 2016 Cheltenham Festival, so this weekend was the final preparatory run for many horses before heading to the Prestbury Park showpiece in mid-March…

Bullets gunned down by Top Gamble in Game Spirit

Top Gamble justified a massive market plunge when roaring to 10 length success over last year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Dodging Bullets in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury,

The Kerry Lee trained eight-year-old made virtually all and jumped for fun in the hands of jockey Richard Johnson, and although Dodging Bullets looked a big danger turning into the home straight he weakened badly after the the third last on his first start for 339-days as lack of race fitness took its toll

Houblon Des Obeaux the Denman Chase destroyer

The mud-loving Houblon Des Obeaux bounced right back to his best in first-time cheekpieces when running out the wide margin of the Grade 2 Denman Chase at Newbury.

Given an aggressive ride by Aidan Coleman, the popular Venetia Williams trained nine-year-old scored by 28 lengths from The Giant Bolster, with long-time pacesetter Splash Of Ginge another 21 lengths behind in third, to register his first success since December 2013

More final fence heartache for Walsh

Jockey Ruby Walsh suffered more last fence agony as Black Hercules came to grief when leading at the last in the Grade 2 Ten Up Chase at Navan on Sunday.

Just eight days on from hitting the deck as Valseur Lido blundered away his chance at the final obstacles in the Irish Gold Cup, Walsh was again cursing his luck as Black Hercules, a leading hope for the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, got in too close at the final fence with the race at his mercy to hand victory to stable companion Measureofmydreams.

England, France, Wales maintain unbeaten Six Nations starts

There is also plenty to ponder following the second round of this year’s Six Nations…

Les Bleus shade Ireland thanks to Medard

A decisive try from France full back Maxime Medard allowed Guy Noves’ physical side to seal a second successive narrow home win of the campaign, handing out a first defeat to defending dual Six Nations champions Ireland by a 10-9 scoreline.

Joe Schmidt’s side are yet to win a match this term, having drawn with Wales previously. Is the Irish era gone with Paul O’Connell? Could Les Bleus win the tournament instead after changing coach following a disastrous Rugby World Cup?

Scotland come up short in Cardiff again

Speaking of close calls, Wales kept up their unbeaten record with a 27-23 victory over another Celtic rival in Scotland.

Although Vern Cotter’s Tartan team gave a much better account of themselves here with Tommy Seymour and Duncan Taylor tries, in-from Dragons scrum half Gareth Davies, Jamie Roberts and George North all crossed for the hosts.

Jones’ Red Rose blooms in Rome with Joseph hat-trick

Anyone who witnessed England’s Calcutta Cup debut game under first foreign coach Eddie Jones would hardly describe it as the most convincing of victories.

The Red Rose laid down a serious statement of intent away to Italy, however, with Jonathan Joseph crossing for a memorable hat-trick as the visitors crushed the Azzurri 40-9.

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Check out our other excellent previous weekend in pictures articles.