Manchester City put six past Chelsea; Ireland’s hold on title slips further

Manchester City made a big statement of intent in the title race with a 6-0 win over Chelsea yesterday evening. With Liverpool still left to a play a game in hand, Pep Guardiola's team went top on goal difference as Sergio Aguero netted his latest hat-trick. Earlier Spurs kept in touch with the top two with a hard fought 3-1 win over Leicester. Emmet Malone was at the Etihad Stadium for City's demolition job - his first visit to this fixture in 30 years - and while it brought back some memories it is all so different now: "the best bit is that the only people this time having to make their way home to London after receiving a hiding, had been out there on the pitch."

Ireland's hold on the Six Nations title slipped a little further on Sunday following England's thumping bonus-point 44-8 win over France at Twickenham. Following Ireland's nine point win over Scotland on Saturday, Liam Toland explains in his column this morning that Scottish errors may not save us at the World Cup: "Ireland should never have come close to losing this game when factoring in how awful Scotland were at times, so error-prone that I wondered aloud were their players all working nights last week."

Sunday's GAA Allinaz Leagues action saw Galway edge Monaghan by a point in a match where both teams played better into the wind. Tyrone goalkeeper Niall Morgan scored a point from play to rescue a draw in Roscommon, but not before the hosts had a late free changed to a hop ball for retaliation. Meath showed they still have some fire in their bellies with a deserved win over Armagh in Navan, while also in Division Two Tipperary struck late to beat promotion favourites Donegal in Thurles.

Phil Mickelson was closing in on a fifth win at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California when play was suspended due to darkness. Mickelson had produced a blemish-free round and holed six birdies to move to 18 under before play was called off. Ireland’s Graeme McDowell closed at eight under after a fourth-round one-under-par 71.

Ireland lose hold on Six Nations, but may get handle on the World Cup

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Bad day to be wearing blue as even the panels put the boot in

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England’s ruthless side on show as they crush their victims

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Not a pretty win, but a psychological restoration for Ireland

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Meanwhile Irish racing's chief veterinary officer expressed satisfaction at how bio-security measures implemented over the weekend helped ensure the sport could continue here. With British racing still in lockdown due to equine influenza, Ireland had the stage to itself over the weekend.