­The saying goes that "a week is a long time in politics". Let me give that oft used observation a footballing tweak. "A week is a light year in the English Premier League" would be more than appropriate to describe the last seven days in an increasingly extraordinary season in the top flight – a significant part of it ultimately due to the ramifications of alleged racism.

To recap. Wednesday 8th February: Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is cleared of charges of tax evasion to once again become the front runner for the soon-to-be-vacant England job. Hours later, current coach Fabio Capello hastens his impending exit by resigning, after disagreeing with the FA's decision to remove John Terry as the England captain following allegations of racism. The FA favours a Briton for the empty post.

(Reuters / Luke MacGregor)NOT GUILTY: Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is cleared of tax evasion – and again favourite for the England job

Saturday 11th: Luis Suarez refuses to shake Patrice Evra's hand after his eight-game ban for alleged racist abuse of the defender. Evra exuberantly celebrates Manchester United's 2-1 win over Liverpool in front of Suarez. Sunday 12th: Capello is reported to be once again in Moscow and resuming talks to become manager of mega-rich Anzhi. Liverpool, manager Kenny Dalglish and Suarez all issue apologies over the "non handshake" issue.

Monday 13th: Third-bottom Wolves announce the sacking of manager, Mick McCarthy. Anzhi announce the sacking of current trainer, Yuri Krasnozhan, while Capello denies reports he was in Russia four days after quitting his last job. Exiled striker Carlos Tevez is quoted as saying he was "treated like a dog" by coach Roberto Mancini but will return to Manchester City. Tuesday 9th: Tevez arrives in Manchester. (Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers go into administration).

And, in between all that drama, a full programme of pivotal football also broke out. The fact that it has taken until the fifth paragraph to mention a set of fixtures in which something rested on every game is indicative of the weight of events, the complexities of the issues and, perhaps overall, the amount of money at stake.

The much-anticipated lunchtime rematch at Old Trafford between Evra and Suarez could not have kick-started the weekend's football in a more inflammatory manner. Contrary to the club's understanding, Suarez refused to shake Evra's hand, setting the tone for a tense match, before he ended the first half by hoofing the ball into the advertising hoardings. Cue boos and a kafuffle in the tunnel.

(Reuters / Darren Staples)HATCHET UNBURIED: Luis Suarez ignores Patrice Evra's pre-match handshake; Manchester United beat Liverpool 2-1

Two quick Wayne Rooney goals after the restart proved decisive, despite a late strike by the controversial Uruguayan, to see United win 2-1 and knock City off top spot for the first time since September. Dalglish denied all knowledge of Suarez's actions; Sir Alex Ferguson said the Reds should sell him. The story went global, inevitably reaching Liverpool's transatlantic owners. The apologies swiftly followed.

But none were needed at White Hart Lane. After vowing to "focus on Tottenham", Redknapp's side promptly thrashed Newcastle, 5-0. All four first-half strikes were teed up by Emmanuel Adebayor, before the on-loan Togolese netted a personally deserved fifth, after newbie Louis Saha – who had scored two goals in 20 games this season for Everton – made it two in 20 minutes for third-placed Spurs. Magpies boss Alan Pardew had already ruled himself out of contention for the England post, that result might well have confirmed it.

Meanwhile, it was déjà-vu for Sunderland, after Thierry Henry's stoppage-time winner handed Arsenal a 2-1 victory to go fourth, and Martin O'Neill his first home defeat as Black Cats manager. The two sides will reconvene in the FA Cup next Saturday, though at least Sunderland will not have to face Henry, who has now scored seven goals in 11 games against them. After netting three in six in Gunners stint number two, the 34-year-old is returning to the New York Red Bulls.

(Reuters / Nigel Roddis)CATS' TORMENTOR: Thierry Henry nets Arsenal's late winner at Sunderland – his seventh goal in 11 such match-ups

Meanwhile, it was less dramatic at Goodison Park, yet it might prove more so, after Everton beat Chelsea, 2-0. Steven Pienaar's early strike and Denis Stracqualursi's late one meant it was a magnificent week for David Moyes' Toffees, having beaten leaders City 1-0 the previous weekend – and prompting talk the talented Scot might yet move south.

However, after conceding the title was gone and two training ground visits in one week by owner Roman Abramovich, the result was a disaster for under-pressure Blues manager, Andre Villas-Boas. Chelsea are now winless in four league games, 17 points off top spot, and out of the Champions League places on goal difference, behind the Gunners.

While at the bottom, it was no less eventful. At Ewood Park, Ayegbeni Yakubu returned from a three-match ban to bang home goal number 14 of the campaign, as Rovers edged fellow strugglers QPR, 3-2. Despite Jamie Mackie's late second-half brace, Rangers have won just once in five games under Mark Hughes. While Rovers responded to their 7-1 mauling by Arsenal to clinch their fifth win of the season – and ended the weekend out of the bottom three on goal difference. That is relief for beleaguered boss, Steve Kean.

And that joy was doubled by the result at struggling neighbours Bolton. James McArthur tapped in the second-half winner as Wigan triumphed, 2-1, in a basement Lancashire derby. Victory in the crucial six-pointer ended the rock bottom Latics' nine-game winless run, and boosted their survival hopes – as now just two points separate the bottom five clubs.

(Reuters / Paul Hackett)RUSSIAN STAR: Pavel Pogrebnyak opens on his debut as Fulham win 2-1 at home to Stoke – and leapfrog the Potters

Yet the mid-table battles were no less intriguing. Russia striker Pavel Pogrebnyak opened on his debut as Fulham won 2-1 at home to Stoke. Tony Pulis' side have now tasted victory in only one of their last nine league games. While in a clash of the promoted sides, Norwich hit back with three goals in 18 second-half minutes to triumph 3-2 at Swansea to go eighth, and consign the Welsh side to only their second home league defeat of the season.

A stunning Saturday – followed by a super Sunday in the West Midlands. Despite again missing the suspended Mario Balotelli and a then still AWOL Tevez, City resumed winning ways and their place at the summit. Childhood Aston Villa fan Joleon Lescott struck the game's only goal after 63 minutes of a gritty encounter at Villa Park.

But the most astonishing encounter occurred at Molineux. Peter Odemwingie scored his first Premier League hat-trick as a rampant West Brom humiliated Wolves, 5-1, in the Black Country derby to render the home side in the relegation zone – and their manager unemployed.

(Reuters / Phil Noble)OVER AND OUT: West Brom win 5-1 at Wolves to bring an end to Mick McCarthy's five-and-a-half years in charge at Molineux

So, seven dramatic days later, what do we have? City, United, Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea at the top; Wigan, Bolton, Wolves, Blackburn and QPR at the bottom. England is prematurely manager less and temporarily skipper less. Capello denies being approached by Anzhi and is apparently in Switzerland. Redknapp denies being approached by England and is assuredly at Spurs. Terry is still Chelsea captain, Suarez is sorry and Tevez is down about 10 million quid. While Rafael Benitez and Alan Curbishley are favourites to replace McCarthy.

I think that week is about to become a fortnight.

­The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RT.