At this stage last season, Chelsea were unbeaten in the Barclays Premier League, had won 10 of 12 matches and were seven points clear at the top of the table. It was a gauntlet laid down for the rest of the league and a lead they had extended by another point by the time they won the title in May. This year, no-one is taking the bull by the horns and Leicester City, a team who were almost relegated last season, are the shock table toppers. Does anyone actually want to win it this season? How long will the Premier League bull keep raging uncontrollably out of reach? Can the unlikely lads at Leicester really keep it going?
Real Madrid are at rock bottom after their shameful 4-0 Clasico drubbing against Barcelona... so what next for Benitez, Ronaldo and president Perez?
They have had their day off to get over that 4-0 Clasico humiliation and Real Madrid are back down to business on Monday ahead of three away matches which could make or break their season. Here, Sportsmail asks what's next for the protagonists at Spain's biggest club.
SOS Ramsey: Crocked star called to the rescue by Wenger as injury-hit Arsenal bid to save their Champions League dream
With the injuries piling up for Arsenal, Arsene Wenger would have been relieved to see Aaron Ramsey back on the training pitch on Monday ahead of their vital Champions League clash with Dinamo Zagreb. Wenger had previously ruled the midfielder out of the clash with the Croatian side, but on Monday said that he could be available for the match at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.
Vardy hasn't spoken to his parents for a year and they won't be going to his wedding after feud over his fiancée
The striker's career has never been better, with him scoring in his tenth consecutive game at the weekend and his Leicester City team sitting top of the Premier League. But behind the scenes, the player has not spoken to his parents for over a year due to an apparent row over his fiancée Becky Nicholson. His father Phil says he and Vardy's mother Lisa will not be going to the ceremony planned for next year.
Great Britain squad touch down in Belgium despite terror lockdown... and here's your ultimate guide to the final in Ghent
Britain's Davis Cup side is scheduled to head to Ghent on Monday for this week's final against Belgium amid growing security concerns. The city is 35.5 miles from the Belgian capital Brussels, which has entered its third day of lockdown and is on maximum alert due to fears of a co-ordinated attack on the city, similar to the Paris attacks which have left 130 people dead. But organisers in Belgium have said the final will go on. Here's what you need to know ahead of Britain's first Davis Cup final in 37 years.
My toughest fight is with depression: Fury opens up as he prepares to fight mighty Klitschko
JEFF POWELL: Behind the Batman mask, the feigned madness, the provocative rants, the threats and the insults lives a nice young man called Tyson Fury. A fighting man when it comes to earning a crust but a family man at heart. A religious man. A song and dance man. A man who is about to earn millions boxing for the world heavyweight title but a man who will continue living as modestly as most in his travelling community.
Klopp vs Rodgers: Germans has now extinguished fear of the big teams... uninspired football has been replaced by joyful abandon
Jurgen Klopp has brought his beaming smile and back-slapping tendencies to the touchline, and while Rodgers took nine attempts to beat top four opposition, the German has come away with six points in first two encounters. Sportsmail looks at the key reasons why Liverpool have overcome their mental block on the biggest stage to haul themselves to within six points of the Champions League places.
Spurs are transformed under Pochettino... what has Argentine changed to turn club into genuine top-four contenders?
Another weekend of Premier League action and yet more praise heaped in the direction of Mauricio Pochettino and his young stars after Tottenham dismantled West Ham. Sir Alex Ferguson famously rallied his Manchester United team during one visit to White Hart Lane by simply saying: 'Lads, it's Tottenham.' But the days of Spurs being a soft touch are slowly evaporating and the display against West Ham on Sunday was the sort of performance that is becoming the norm under Pochettino.
On a high after running riot in the Clasico, Barcelona stars head back to the training in preparation for Roma
Barcelona headed back to their Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training camp on Monday as they look forward to building on their Clasico triumph over Real Madrid at the weekend. The Blaugrana defeated Rafa Benitez's hapless Real Madrid side 4-0 at the Bernabeu on Saturday, and next face Serie A outfit Roma in Europe.
Liverpool stars reunited with their rivals from Manchester City for charity ball just 24 hours after their humiliating 4-1 defeat
A little over 24 hours after Manchester City's 4-1 humiliation at the hands of Liverpool, both sets of players were reunited at James Milner's Charity Ball on Sunday night. Milner, who left the Etihad to sign for Liverpool on a free transfer during the summer, organised the 'Nightmare before Christmas' gala event at EventCity in Manchester. The James Milner Foundation supports a number of charities including Bloodwise, Help for Heroies and the NSPCC. A host of players from both squads were in attendance with City team-mates Joe Hart, Gael Clichy and Fabian Delph making the trip.
McIlroy clinches third Race to Dubai title after overcoming Sullivan in epic shootout at World Tour Championship
If someone had said to Rory McIlroy at the start of the season that the biggest prizes he would win all year would be the DP World Tour Championship and the Race to Dubai, he would undoubtedly have turned up his nose. But context is everything in life and, by picking up these substantial titles at the end of an epic duel in the sun against Andy Sullivan on Sunday, there was no disguising his delight.
Ridgewell helps Portland Timbers establish first leg cushion in MLS final with Dallas
A sensational, swerving strike from Dairon Asprilla was the highlight as Portland Timbers claimed a 3-1 victory over Dallas to seize the initiative in Major League Soccer's Western Conference final on Sunday night. Former Aston Villa, Birmingham City and West Brom defender Liam Ridgewell fired the home side into a first-half lead.
Djokovic downs Federer in straight sets to claim fourth ATP World Tour Finals title in a row and confirm world No 1's dominance
MIKE DICKSON: Somehow you doubt that Novak Djokovic will ever turn the O2 Arena into Belgrade-on-Thames, colonising it in the way Roger Federer does for one week per year. But winning titles is not a popularity contest, and for all that this felt like a mini-Zurich at times, the love of the crowd was not enough to save the 34-year-old Swiss on Sunday night. Over one hour and 20 minutes, the 28-year-old Serb merely emphasised just how superior he is to the rest, by winning the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals with a 6-3, 6-4 victory in the last match of the regular season.
THE PICK OF MAILONLINE'S SPORTS WRITING
Wasps secure stunning victory over reigning European champions Toulon as ex-England coach Lancaster watches on
CHRIS FOY AT THE RICOH ARENA: Stuart Lancaster was at the Ricoh Arena on Sunday and while he is no longer England's head coach, as a confirmed patriot he would have enjoyed the significance of this momentous result. It was an epic, stunning triumph for Wasps and, in a broader sense, for the Aviva Premiership. Dai Young's side condemned the reigning European champions - peerless kings of the continent for the last three seasons - to their heaviest defeat since 2010 and the second worst loss they have ever experienced at this exalted level.
'Mr Calzaghe' is a remarkable tale about an undefeated boxer and his musician dad's transformation into a top trainer
MARK WEBSTER - EDGE OF THE BOX: Indeed, as you watch the new documentary film 'Mr Calzaghe', out on Monday on DVD and Blu-ray and digital download, you could easily be left asking yourself why it isn't in fact entitled 'Messrs Calzaghe'?
UEFA Champions League
STARS OF SPORT
- Skrtel and wife meet up with Djokovic as they celebrate wins at top London restaurant
- Bale: I love life at Real Madrid... but I miss a cup of tea and a bar of chocolate Welsh forward in Spain is missing the simple things in life
- Murray steps up training ahead of Great Britain's Davis Cup final against Belgium Andy Murray has stepped up his training regime with an intense shift
- Friends again, lads? Liverpool and Man City players reunite to attend Milner's charity ball After Manchester City's humiliation by Liverpool, the players were reunited
- Scotland unveil bright pink adidas away kits for 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign There will be no missing Scotland when they hit the road for qualifying
Euro 2016
MORE STARS OF SPORT
- Watmore pens new Sunderland contract as Britain's brainiest footballer bids to focus on playing career Duncan Watmore earns four-and-a-half year deal
- Chelsea ready for take-off! Willian posts Brazil boys selfie on board flight to Tel Aviv Chelsea are heading for Israel as they prepare to face Maccabi Tel Aviv
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Topless Terry enjoys double expresso as Chelsea skipper talks of relief at winning return
Chelsea captain John Terry will hope season is turning around at last
- Mayweather shows off 'royal living' in luxury four-person massage Floyd Mayweather has made no secret of his extravagant lifestyle and this is no different...
- United stars leave it late again! Smalling's birthday bash gives players and their WAGs a big night out Manchester United beat Watford in stoppage time
- McIlroy beaming with girlfriend Erica Stoll after clinching third Race to Dubai title Rory McIlroy had to be at his scintillating best to see off Andy Sullivan
- Iniesta gets standing ovation at the Bernabeu His majestic performance brought back memories of Ronaldinho against Real Madrid back in 2005...
- Terrifying threesome of Neymar, Messi and Suarez back together for El Clasico triumph Suarez scored a double and Messi made long-awaited return in 4-0 win
- Vardy thanks Leicester team-mates after reaching milestone Claudio Ranieri was on hand to celebrate with beer after Jamie Vardy's hot streak continued
- Beckham and Henry watch Federer power past Wawrinka to set up Djokovic final clash Football royalty in the crowd at the ATP World Tour Finals in London
- Reds celebrate after City are stunned OLIVER HOLT: Sure, Man City were utterly shambolic in defence but Liverpool were quite breathtakingly brilliant
- Brechin keeper Smith makes 89 mile journey to wrong stadium... before realising he was playing at home Graeme Smith took a detour before clash with Stenhousemuir
- Andy shoots... but will he be on target in London derby at Spurs? JACK GAUGHAN: West Ham striker Carroll is growing to enjoy life in London after a long struggle with injuries
- Ramsey and wife Colleen share baby joy Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey and his wife Colleen are celebrating the birth of their first child, a healthy baby boy
- Pacquiao visits famous Garden Tomb site in Jerusalem Boxing star and devout Christian continues to enjoy some time off before his next fight
- United's £58m man Martial reveals his best ever team, his favourite three heroes... and why that goal against Liverpool is his No 1 Frenchman's debut strike
- Focused Cristiano ready for Barca test as Benitez says he has players' backing Clash with Barcelona is vital for Real Madrid at the Bernabeu
- Arsenal star Ozil enjoys dinner with 'La Familia' ahead of trip to West Brom Should be full refreshed after missing Germany's friendly with France
- Mayweather and Holm sit courtside as two champions watch NBA Retired boxer Floyd Mayweather and new UFC champion Holly Holm posed up
- Ramos steps up shoulder injury recovery ahead of Real Madrid's El Clasico but could need surgery Sergio Ramos posted a video of himself training
- Sakho on road to recovery from injury as Liverpool manager Klopp confirms: 'It's not too serious' Medial ligament damage
- Messi all smiles as he picks up his young son Lionel Messi appeared in a good mood as he and partner Antonella Roccuzzo collected son Thiago from school
- AP McCoy writes off £60,000 Porsche after being involved in car accident on the M4 The 41-year-old racing legend emerged unscathed after smash
- Neymar, takes on Barcelona team-mates in FIFA challenge.. but who comes out on top? Barcelona stars relaxed two days before El Clasico clash with Real
- Sanchez shows off more silky footwork! Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez has been showing off his dance moves in a festive advert back in his native Chile
- Jean-Claude Van Damme muscles in on Manchester City training to the delight of Kompany and Co 'Muscles from Brussels' is in Manchester
- Nainggolan has photo taken with police officers sent to arrest him after being reported as a terrorist in Antwerp Radja Nainggolan happy to pose after confusion
- Suarez hits bum note as Barcelona ace joins Messi and Neymar in bizarre Catalan tradition Luis Suarez caught with his pants down, figuratively speaking
- Barbarians stars pay homage to founder by posing in retro kit ahead of 125-year anniversary tie with Argentina Founded by William Percy Carpmael in 1890
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UFC star Jones shows off his dramatic powerlifting transformation and hints at preparation for April fight with CormierReinstated after ban
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Oxford University women's rugby players strip off ahead of Twickenham debut against Cambridge to raise money for charityNaked calendar
- Adebayor back in a Tottenham kit as misfit striker builds on his fitness in Togo Playing for his foundation ahead of possible January move
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Lampard and Lara meet in New York as football and cricket legends pose for a picture on InstagramRecord-breakers in their respective sports
- Calzaghe expects Fury to cause Klitschko problems as former champion attends movie premiere Joe Calzaghe was on the red carpet
- PSG to wear special shirts to honour victims of attacks with 'Je suis Paris' message underneath club crest Paris Saint-Germain to show respect to victims
- Selfie time! Frampton takes picture with adoring fans in the background Ahead of world-title showdown in Belfast
- City star Nasri faces three months out with injury... but vows to come back stronger Sami Nasri has revealed he will be out for a further three months
- Warburton happy with new life at Scottish giants Rangers Warburton has won 12 of his first 13 league games in charge of the Glasgow club and is loving life
- McCaw waves goodbye after glorious career with All Blacks... now he plans to become a helicopter pilot McCaw has announced his retirement from rugby
- Re-United: Rooney poses for snap with former team-mates Evra and Pogba after emotional friendly Followed England friendly against France
- Barca star Pique and girlfriend Shakira forced to deny claims they have been blackmailed over sex tape Former employee 'behind alleged plot'
- Murray stops for impromptu haircut during ATP World Tour Finals clash with Nadal Trimmed his fringe but still lost in straight sets to Spaniard
- 'Best dressed? It definitely won't be me': Liverpool pair Mignolet and Benteke talk team-mates Hilarious video
- Now that's a sweet 16th ! Mayweather splashes out on Mercedes supercar for son Koraun £30,000 gift for son on his 16th birthday
- Martial leaves Wembley on crutches Manchester United are sweating over the fitness of Anthony Martial after he left Wembley with his left foot bandaged
- Diarra comes on to standing ovation Lassana Diarra lost his cousin in the Paris terror attacks, and Antoine Griezmann's sister escaped the Bataclan
- Zlatan helps Sweden draw in Denmark to qualify for Euro 2016 RIATH AL-SAMARRAI: What a contrasting day for Christian Eriksen and Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- Honduras star Garrido suffers horrific cruciate ligament tears ***WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT*** Luis Garrido was rushed to hospital after the injury
- Is Ronaldo dating his agent's daughter? Real Madrid star linked with Marisa Mendes after admitting he's seeing a number of women Claims pair are together
- Turkey shame as fans BOO minute's silence for Paris victims and chant 'Allahu Akhbar' before Greece game Turkey fans tarnished tribute in Istanbul
- Ibrahimovic admits he's too old to play in Premier League but vows to deliver 'magic' at Euro 2016 PSG striker toasted win with Sweden pals
- Holm has 'a lot of respect' for Rousey after stunning upset at UFC 193 in Australia The 34-year-old insisted she has no hard feelings towards rival Rousey
- Watch Rodriguez lead Colombia team-mates pull off brilliant keepy-up bin challenge James Rodriguez was the star as he headed ball back and forth
- Ramos all smiles after girlfriend gives birth to second child The Spanish defender was one of the happiest men in the world after the birth of his boy
- Bayern Munich show off incredible skills The German giants have got off to a blistering start... and it looks like they have no intention of slowing down
- United star Martial dresses daughter in cute Monaco strip as forward shows his support for former side Showing where her loyalties lie?
- Wilkinson handed CBE by Prince William at Buckingham Palace England's 2003 Rugby World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson stepped up to collect his award
- He's a knockout! Terry keeps fit during international break with boxing workout Is he trying to lift Chelsea off the Premier League canvas?
- Dunga urges fans to get behind Neymar Brazil have never lost a match in Salvador's Fonte Nova stadium but Dunga says the home fans must be patient
- Ferdinand heads to Oxford Union for debate with students Former Manchester United defender posed with books ahead of speaking event
- Frampton brands rival Quigg 'brainless' as world champions clash Carl Frampton branded Scott Quigg 'brainless' as he lit the blue touchpaper before bout
LATEST MATCH REPORTS
- Tottenham 4-1 West Ham: Harry Kane bags a double either side of Toby Alderweireld header before Kyle Walker and Manuel Lanzini add late goals as Spurs close on Arsenal and top four
- Verona 0-2 Napoli: Gonzalo Higuain and Lorenzo Insigne fire Napoli top of Serie A
- Burnley 1-1 Brighton: Bobby Zamora strikes early to send unbeaten Seagulls level at top of Championship
- Manchester City 1-4 Liverpool: Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino turn on the style as Jurgen Klopp's side stun the Etihad
- Real Madrid 0-4 Barcelona: Luis Suarez, Neymar and Andres Iniesta shine as Luis Enrique's side run riot to win the El Clasico
- Newcastle 0-3 Leicester: Jamie Vardy scores in 10th consecutive Premier League game with Leonardo Ulloa and Shinji Okazaki on target as well as Foxes cruise to victory at St James' Park
- West Brom 2-1 Arsenal: Mikel Arteta's own goal proves costly as Baggies secure hard-fought victory at The Hawtorns
- Chelsea 1-0 Norwich: Diego Costa nets winner as Jose Mourinho's struggling side claim a much-needed win at Stamford Bridge
- Watford 1-2 Manchester United: Troy Deeney's late own goal just minutes after equalising seals narrow win for Louis van Gaal men
- Everton 4-0 Aston Villa: Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku bag braces to leave Remi Garde with his work cut out for him
- Southampton 0-1 Stoke: Bojan's early strike proves the difference as Mark Hughes' men enter top-half of the table for first time
- Swansea 2-2 Bournemouth: Jonjo Shelvey penalty completes comeback as Cherries surrender two-goal lead but pressure mounts on Garry Monk after fifth home game without a win
- Derby 2-0 Cardiff City: Goals from George Thorne and Andreas Weimann secure fifth straight home win for Paul Clement's side
- Bristol City 1-1 Hull City: Shaun Maloney strikes to snatch Tigers a point after Kieran Agard opener
FOOTBALL
Corinthians win league title with three games to spare after thrashing Sao Paulo
Corinthians were awarded the Brazilian league trophy after hammering city rivals Sao Paulo 6-1 on Sunday but there were no celebrations at Joinville, who lost 2-1 at home to Vasco and were relegated to Serie B. 'I confess that I never imagined we would reach this level,' Corinthians coach Tite said of their best performance all season. He added: 'I was telling the players that we have not yet reached our peak. Today we hit the max.'
Unbeaten Brighton back in the top two as Zamora and Gray strikes see spoils shared in promotion clash at Burnley
CHRIS WHEELER AT TURF MOOR: Brighton remain the only unbeaten team in the English Football League but they missed out on a chance to go clear at the top of the Championship after drawing at Turf Moor. Veteran striker Bobby Zamora fired Chris Hughton's side ahead in the first minute but it was quickly cancelled out by Andre Gray, who took his total to eight goals in the last eight games from the penalty spot. The result means that Brighton go level on points with Championship leaders Hull City but stay second on goal difference, with Burnley two points further back in fifth place as they chase an immediate return to the Premier League.
Watmore pens new Sunderland contract and Britain's brainiest footballer is glad to be able to focus on playing at the Stadium of Light instead of studying
CRAIG HOPE: Given his academic background, you can rest assured that the numbers involved in Duncan Watmore's new Sunderland contract will certainly add up.
Hamilton wear France's away kit against Aberdeen to honour Paris terror victims
Scottish Premiership side Hamilton Academical paid their own special tribute to the victims of the Paris terror attacks, lining up against Aberdeen wearing a France kit. After a kit clash meant that the home side could not wear their traditional red and white stripes, they were set to play in their second-choice kit despite playing at New Douglas Park. But, after 'thinking outside the box', the club asked for approval from the SPFL to wear Les Bleus famous colours as a one-off, to remember the 130 people who died in last week's attacks.
That's shocking! Scotland unveil bright pink kit for World Cup qualifying campaign
There will be no missing Scotland when they hit the road for their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign after a new bright pink adidas away strip was launched on Sunday night. Captain Scott Brown sported the more traditional tartan-styled home kit at an event at the new JD Sports Superstore store in Glasgow, but it was the second strip that mostly caught the eye.
Terry 'relieved' after Chelsea return to winning ways by beating Norwich
Chelsea captain John Terry hopes their 1-0 Premier League victory over Norwich on Saturday can kick-start their season. The champions claimed just a fourth league win from 13 games as Diego Costa's goal secured a win at Stamford Bridge for the Blues to climb above their opponents to 15th in the table. Jose Mourinho's position as manager had been under scrutiny after three straight league losses for the first time in Roman Abramovich's 12-year ownership. The Portuguese was subject of a first vote of confidence in that period last month.
OTHER SPORTS NEWS
Lomu's first memorial service at a New Zealand church attended by hundreds
Several hundred people attended the first public memorial service for former New Zealand winger Jonah Lomu at the south-Auckland church his family often attended when he was a child. Mourners on Sunday at the Lotofale'ia Tongan Methodist Church in the suburb of Mangere, where Lomu was raised, included his wife Nadene, their sons Brayley, 6, and Dhyreille, 5, and Lomu's mother Hepi. Many of the congregation wore Ta'ovala, a traditional Tongan woven skirt worn to show respect, espeicially in times of mourning.
Murray steps up training ahead big week with Great Britain going for Davis Cup glory
Ahead of one of the biggest weeks in his sporting career, world No 2 Andy Murray has stepped up his training regime. Murray has shared an Instagram video of his individual training regime ahead of Great Britain's historic Davis Cup final appearance against Belgium in Ghent next weekend.
Crolla delivers world-title miracle in Manchester thanks to local hero Hatton
Anthony Crolla spent last Christmas fearing he would never fight again. This year he will celebrate as a world champion. Eleven months ago, he suffered a fractured skull and broken ankle after his pursuit of two burglars was halted by a concrete block dropped on his head.
RACING
THE BEST WRITING IN SPORT
Ten years have flown by since the death of George Best... there'll never be another like him, but in Belfast the search goes on
MICHAEL WALKER: It is near inconceivable to think that 10 fast years have passed since the world heard of George Best's death in the Cromwell Hospital in London. Irish football's version of a state funeral followed, Best's coffin being taken from his home on Burren Way on the Cregagh estate in east Belfast, via Stormont and up into the snowy hills that cloaked the city that November. It was said many times in those days that Best would not be forgotten and those words were true.