The Stagcom 14th November Round Up
We were excited about the weekend just passed, and it proved to be for good reason! England managed to upset the Scots on Friday night and there was tense action elsewhere in the world of sport.
We'll take you through some of the best bits of the weekend, below.
English Comfort
England recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over fierce rivals Scotland on Friday night after goals from Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana and Gary Cahill. Although it may have been unconvincing at times, the win should be enough to secure Gareth Southgate as permanent England boss following the international break.
England started the match sloppily; they struggled to keep the ball and were caught out in possession frequently. The nerves were settled in the 24th minute when Sturridge converted a driven cross from Kyle Walker with a stooping header.
The win was sealed after two more headers from the Three Lions in the second-half. Lallana nodded in from Danny Rose's delivery shortly after the break and Gary Cahill scored the third - glancing in from a Wayne Rooney corner.
The win leaves England top of their qualifying group and looking well set to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Scotland, on the other hand, sit towards the bottom and it may be the end for Gordon Strachan's time in charge of the Tartan Army.
Home Nations Undefeated
The rest of the home nations were unbeaten over the weekend, starting with Northern Ireland's 4-0 win over Azerbaijan on Friday evening. Goals from Kyle Lafferty, Gareth McAuley, Conor McLaughlin and Chris Brunt gave Michael O'Neill's side an impressive victory to put them second in their qualifying group.
The Republic of Ireland claimed a vital three points in Austria with an impressive 1-0 win. James McClean scored shortly after the restart to give Martin O'Neill's side an unlikely victory and leave them top of Group D.
Wales are four points behind the Republic in third place after a 1-1 draw at home to Serbia. Gareth Bale gave Wales a first-half lead, but Newcastle United's Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a late equaliser. Wales now face a crunch trip to Dublin to face the Republic of Ireland in March in what will be a must win game.
England Draw
The first Test between England and India ended in a draw, but at one stage it had looked as though England may force a result.
England declared on 260-3 in their second innings after Alastair Cook had made 130 and Test debutant Haseeb Hameed hit 82. With India being set 310 to win they were always likely to play out for the draw, but slumped to 71-4 with at least 25 overs left.
Virat Kohli steadied the ship for India with an unbeaten 49 and India ended the match on 172-6 to leave the Test as a draw.
Ten Out Of Ten
England made it ten out of ten under Head Coach Eddie Jones after they demolished South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday 37-21.
The Springboks looked weary on the rain-soaked pitch in London and first-half tries from Jonny May and Courtney Lawes put England in control. That effort was matched in the second period with George Ford and Owen Farrell to overwhelm the visitors.
England had failed to beat South Africa in their previous 12 meetings and now face Fiji this weekend as the autumn internationals continue.
Goes To Final Race
Lewis Hamilton won the Brazilian Grand Prix to take the title fight to the final race of the season. It was a wet, chaotic and crash-strewn race which Hamilton had to be at his best to win.
Championship leader and fellow Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg could only manage second place, which reduces his overall lead to 12 points.
However, as long as Rosberg can finish no lower than third in Abu Dhabi at the final meeting, he will claim the championship. It should be a gripping final race in two weeks' time!
Image credits: Uber Liverpool, Matt McCarthy, Sky Sports Cricket, England Rugby, Sport Bible, Evening Standard