England are currently engaged in a decisive stage of the World Cup qualifiers that will determine which teams gain an automatic place in the Brazil finals next year and those who get a second chance via the play-offs.
Yesterday, England played Montenegro and on Tuesday they remain at Wembley Stadium for the final group match against Poland.
On the domestic scene, the Premier League campaign is developing into an interesting race, one the neutral fans had longed for even if only seven matches have been played.
Arsenal are topping the standings at the moment on goal difference from Liverpool.
Both sides have lost once and drawn the same number of matches to attain their 16 points. Their loss came at home − the Gunners against Aston Villa and Liverpool versus Southampton.
The Arsenal fans should be satisfied that finally the club had landed a top signing, Germany’s Mezut Ozil, as Liverpool boast an electrifying attacking tandem in Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.
Chelsea and surprise package Southampton have kept the pace behind the front runners, being two points adrift.
Jose Mourinho led Chelsea to victory in the Champions League last week before guiding the Blues to their first victory on their travels in the domestic competition after a 3-1 win at Norwich.
Southampton have conceded only two goals in seven league outings and that is the best in the top flight. Naturally, manager Mauricio Pochettino was full of praise for his rearguard, lauding in particular goalkeeper Artur Boruc.
Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City recovered from the 1-3 drubbing to Bayern Munich by beating Everton by the same scoreline.
Tottenham lost the chance of going top with Arsenal and Liverpool as they were shocked by West Ham – 0-3 at White Hart Lane.
The Spurs had previously conceded only two goals in all 11 matches this season.
Meanwhile, Manchester United fans were relieved to have watched their side claiming another win to climb into the top half of the classification as enterprising youngster Adnan Januzaj scored twice in the 2-1 win at troubled Sunderland.
After failing to score in their opening two matches, Newcastle have now been on target in all their following league and cup outings. In fact, five goals in his last three games saw Loic Remy injecting some new life in the Magpies.
West Brom were unable to chalk up a win in their first four league outings but they hit back superbly with wins over Sunderland and Manchester United and a creditable draw with pacesetters Arsenal at the Hawthorns.
Baggies boss Steve Clarke told reporters he was delighted to see West Brom giving Arsenal a scare as ‘we build on the Manchester United game and extend our unbeaten run to four games’.
Today's fixtures
League One
Bristol City-Crawley pp
Colchester-Walsall
Leyton Orient-MK Dons
Notts County-Oldham pp
Port Vale-Peterborough
Preston-Crewe
Rotherham-Swindon
Shrewsbury-Gillingham
Stevenage-Brentford
Tomorrow:
Bradford City-Tranmere
Coventry-Sheffield Utd
League Two
Wimbledon-Accrington
Burton-Southend
Bury-Morecambe
Dagenham-Cheltenham
Exeter-Hartlepool
Fleetwood-Chesterfield
Mansfield-Bristol Rovers
Oxford-Northampton
Plymouth-Portsmouth
Rochdale-Newport
Wycombe-Torquay