Hot team and whos is not

Hot team
The winners this week should all get a mention. Chelsea were OK, but not outstanding. Manchester City were great at times but ended up hanging on for a win at home to Wolves. Stoke and West Brom both did well and had good wins. For me this week, however, the hot team were Arsenal. They were brilliant, but admittedly, West Ham were every bit as bad as they were good.

The two horse race that is the La Liga title

The two horse race that is the La Liga title race took a step closer to becoming a one horse only race on Sunday in surprising circumstances.

There was nothing too shocking in Barcelona winning comfortably against struggling Malaga, but Real Madrid’s inability to collect all three points at even more struggling Almeria, was certainly something of a shock.

Del Neri gives backing to controversial transfer

Luigi Del Neri has confirmed Juventus’ link to Udinese striker Antonio Floro Flores, while backing the player to prove his credentials at Olimpico.

The Udinese forward is close to agreeing a loan move to Juventus that is causing a lot of mixed feelings among the Bianconeri fans.

Asked to comment the news, Del Neri replied:

A year to remember in African football

If 2010 was the ‘Year of Africa’ in football circles, it will be remembered for a spirited celebration of the FIFA World Cup™ that left little room for much of the pre-event doubts. The successful hosting of the tournament was a timely boost for the continent's image in the eyes of the global community, and never before have Africans spoken so fondly of their region, which can now proudly point to their capacity and ability in staging the event. For South Africa, it offered a chance to change perceptions and greet the world like few others have before.

In football terms, Africa remains at a crossroads, threatening to push on and become more of a world force but at the same time under threat of being turned back. With six representatives at the FIFA World Cup for the first time, 2010 offered an opportunity to make a stronger bid for success, but results on the pitch were mixed. Join FIFA.com for a look back at the year in African football.

Arsenal 3 - 1 Chelsea

Fabregas (left) and Walcott combined to score two of Arsenal's three goals

Arsenal boosted their Premier League title hopes in emphatic fashion and damaged Chelsea's in the process with a stylish victory at the Emirates.

It moved the Gunners up to second in the table, two points behind Manchester United but having played a game more, while Chelsea - also a match ahead of United - are in fourth and six points off the pace.

Arsene Wenger admitted halting a barren run of 11 games in all competitions without a victory over closest rivals Chelsea and Manchester United - including 10 defeats - would provide a psychological lift as they bid to secure their first silverware since 2005.