The Weekend that was - 8-9th November

Premier League

Although, it is only November the Premiership title seems to have an inevitability about it. Chelsea winning once again and Man City slipping up against QPR. Man City were in fact, fortunate to get a point, and their form is a real concern for Manuel Pellegrini.

Chelsea seem peerless at present, and considering they have played all the top sides (Southampton excluded) they are looking runaway favourites for the title. They don't face a team from last year's top 6 until January, when they play Tottenham at the start of the month and Man City at the end.

Southampton continued their great form, beating Leicester 2-0, thanks to a Shane Long brace, it means they have only dropped 5 points in 10 games, amassing 25 over those 10 games. They have a plethora of attacking options, with Long, Pelle and Mane all able to play up front, as well as the injured Jay Rodriguez to come back.

Arsenal lost to Swansea, which puts Swansea ahead of them, and Newcastle continued their incredible revival in form, moving them into 8th, level on points with Man Utd, showing just how quickly form can turn around.

Burnley recorded their first win against a depleted Hull. It means it is very tight around the relegation zone, with the 3 promoted sides and Crystal Palace all within 2 points of each other.

Autumn Internationals

Wales failed to beat Australia again, the margin in the last 5 games totalling just 14 points

It was a mixed weekend for the Northern Hemisphere teams, Ireland and Scotland securing wins against South Africa and Argentina. England and Wales were narrowly defeated by New Zealand and Australia.

There is no such thing as a friendly game in Rugby, and these are anything but, they are especially important in the context of next years world cup.

England had the perfect start to their game against New Zealand, when Jonny May showed his blistering pace rounding both Conrad Smith and Israel Dagg to score. However, the All-Blacks are masters at turning the smallest possession into the maximum points, and at the first opportunity they hit back, with Aaron Cruden touching the ball against the minutest part of the line and then the All-Blacks accelerated out of sight.

The Autumn internationals are the perfect appetiser to next years World Cup.

Formula 1

Nico Rosberg had an almost faultless weekend and was able to beat Lewis Hamilton

Nico Rosberg beat Hamilton to pole position again, making it 10 to 7 in pole positions to Rosberg, and giving Rosberg the trophy, albeit the pole position trophy.

Rosberg had a very strong weekend, and was able to hold off Hamilton, and it was Hamilton who cracked under pressure, trying to overtake in the pit stops, Hamilton pushed too hard and nearly lost the car. Hamilton is a pure racer and continued to push, and was able to catch Rosberg, but Rosberg had enough to hold him off.

There were strong performances for Massa, Hulkenburg, Button and Raikkonen. Massa incurred a 5 second, but still had the pace to round out the podium. Button showed his race strength, recording a highly credible 4th place, showing how valuable he is to McLaren, although it remains to be seen if he will be there next year.

Button's race pace is noticeably superior to Magnusson's, however so is his wage, and with Alonso likely to join McLaren, Button may be forced out.

In many ways it was the perfect result in Brazil, especially if you are Bernie Ecclestone, as it sets up the Championship perfectly, if Rosberg wins and Hamilton is second, Hamilton wins the championship, but if Rosberg wins and Hamilton finishes lower than second, Rosberg wins,

It's been a long season, but Abu Dhabi should be a thrilling climax.