With Manchester United boasting a near-unassailable lead at the top of the English Premier League table the focus has turned to the pursuit of records and the race for UEFA Champions League qualification.
James Milner and Manchester City will face a tough opponent in Stoke City for their fourth round FA Cup tie, while Championship and Premier League sides will look to fend off challengers from lower leagues in other FA Cup action.
The UEFA Champions League group stage began in exciting fashion as big-spending Paris Saint-Germain cruised, with Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund also victorious, while Real Madrid edged Manchester City in a glamour match-up.
Olivier Giroud speaks to FIFA.com about adjusting to life in the English Premier League with Arsenal, and the challenge of winning a place with France and upsetting Spain in the Brazil 2014 qualifiers.
After his match-winning goal against Finland yesterday, France coach Didier Deschamps labelled Abou Diaby "a complete midfielder", following his return from a long-running injury saga.
The likes of England, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal made winning starts to European Zone qualifying for Brazil 2014, while Italy were held to a 2-2 draw in Bulgaria.
FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011
