The sporting weekend in pictures

Manchester City drew a line under off-field distractions to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal while rock-bottom Southampton sacked Nathan Jones.

Pep Guardiola’s side have been rocked by more than 100 charges by the Premier League relating to alleged financial breaches but they defeated Aston Villa 3-1 to move to within three points of Arsenal, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Brentford.

England got their first win under Steve Borthwick by dismantling a disappointing Italy while both Scotland and Ireland made it two wins from two in the Guinness Six Nations.

Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the best images from the weekend’s sporting action.

What crisis? Manchester City coasted to a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa (Martin Rickett/PA)
What crisis? Manchester City coasted to a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa (Martin Rickett/PA)

Nathan Jones was sacked by Southampton just three months after his appointment (Kieran Cleeves/PA)
Nathan Jones was sacked by Southampton just three months after his appointment (Kieran Cleeves/PA)

Leicester came from a goal behind to thrash Tottenham 4-1 on Antonio Conte's return to the Spurs dugout after gallbladder surgery (Isaac Parkin/PA)
Leicester came from a goal behind to thrash Tottenham 4-1 on Antonio Conte’s return to the Spurs dugout after gallbladder surgery (Isaac Parkin/PA)

An own goal from Molly Bartrip, right, sent Manchester United back to the Women's Super League summit following a hard-fought 2-1 win at Tottenham (John Walton/PA)
An own goal from Molly Bartrip, right, sent Manchester United back to the Women’s Super League summit following a hard-fought 2-1 win at Tottenham (John Walton/PA)

Finn Russell starred as Scotland blitzed Wales 35-7 at BT Murrayfield (Andrew Milligan/PA)
Finn Russell starred as Scotland blitzed Wales 35-7 at BT Murrayfield (Andrew Milligan/PA)

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