This gives the media and the voters a new way of judging the government's actions not whether a policy is good or bad for Britain, but whether it represents a victory or defeat for this or that ministerial faction.

ECONOMIST: The chancellor

However City's defeat, while only their second of the season, represents further lost points in a campaign that has seen them draw over half their fixtures and win just one of their last 10 league matches.

BBC: Tottenham 3-0 Manchester City

The loss represents Saracens' second loss in the Heineken Cup, having suffered a 25-10 defeat by Clermont Auvergne, but Leinster have now won two out of two, after their impressive 38-22 victory over French high flyers Racing-Metro 92 in Dublin.

BBC: Saracens 23-25 Leinster