The Week in Review

IF it's September, it must be Essex. Victory over Hampshire on Thursday ensures Graham Gooch and his cohorts of their sixth County Championship cricket title in 14 seasons, a fitting farewell gift to Keith Fletcher, the Svengali responsible for transforming a band of cheery also-rans into a band of cheery winners. Laughs may be in shorter supply once he settles in as England manager.

Another wizened old pro, the ever-theatrical Jimmy Connors, turns 40 in style by flushing out Brazilian Jaime Oncins at Flushing Meadow to chalk up his 98th win in 114 performances at the US Open, compensating for the early departure from the women's event of that other racket wrinkly, Martina Navratilova.

Michael Schumacher stalls Nigel Mansell's hopes of a record-breaking 10th victory in a Formula One season on Sunday by crossing the line ahead of the Isle of Man man, the 23 year-old German thus becoming the third youngest driver to win a Grand Prix. Derek Warwick flies the flag more profitably in Suzuka, Japan, winning the world sportscar title in conjunction with Yannick Dalmas of France.

A new wave sweeps through English football as Stuart Pearce, renowned for tightening his resolve to the strains of those ageing punksters, The Stranglers, succeeds Gary Lineker as national captain for Wednesday's friendly in Spain.

An Irish name proves no guarantee of luck for Manchester United's pounds 1.1m striker Dion Dublin, out of the game for five months with a fractured right fibula sustained against Crystal Palace. Norwich and Coventry, meanwhile, continue to enjoy their palatial perches atop the Premier League.