ENGLAND
| Pos | Team | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea | 54 |
| 2 | Manchester United | 53 |
| 3 | Arsenal | 49 |
| 4 | Tottenham | 42 |
| 5 | Liverpool | 41 |
The big one was Sunday’s London clash where Manchester United stamped their authority over Arsenal with a comfortable 3-1 win. The Gunners, now, appear off the pace and out of the running. United, though, showed they’re ready to push for the title with Nani and Wayne Rooney leading the way.
Elsewhere, John Terry put aside his personal controversy to grab the winner for Chelsea in an unconvincing 2-1 triumph at Burnley, with Didier Drogba waiting in the wings.
In the race for the fourth Champions League spot, Liverpool, Man City and Aston Villa all closed in on fourth placed Tottenham with victories, whilst Spurs conceded late to draw 1-1 with Birmingham.
SPAIN
It is as you were between La Liga’s top two after Barcelona won 1-0 at Gijon while Real Madrid got past Deportivo Coruna> 3-1. Barca’s win was tight and Gijon offered a test while Real, minus the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo, saw Karim Benzema return to form with a brace in a rare win at the Riazor.
That loss costs Depor in the race for Champions League football, especially considering third-placed Valencia lost 2-1 to FC Sevilla on Sunday. Mallorca> also missed an opportunity after a surprise loss at Xerez.
Meanwhile, Villarreal’s 2-0 home loss to Osasuna has cost Ernesto Valverde his job and he’ll be replaced by Juan Carlos Garrido. The Yellow Submarine are way off the pace down in ninth.
ITALY
Leaders Internazionale had their match this weekend postponed but their nearest rivals, AC Milan>, stumbled to a 1-1 home draw with Livorno anyway, meaning the Nerazzurri stay well in charge. Last weekend’s Milan derby loss and Sunday’s draw means AC are reeling right now.
Claudio Ranieri’s Roma, though, are on the charge and move level on points with Milan after claimng their fourth successive league win, a 2-1 triumph over Siena. Interestingly, the winner was scored by Stefano Okaka Chuka who has been loaned out to Fulham since.
New Juventus boss Alberto Zaccheroni saw his side take a 70th minute lead, before surrendering that advantage eight minutes later, as the Old Lady drew 1-1 with Lazio in Sunday’s late kick-off. The result, though, moves Juve above Palermo who lost 4-2 to Bari on Saturday.
GERMANY
The Bundesliga big boys are now going win for win as Bayern turn up the pressure on Leverkusen and Schalke. The Bavarians are in brilliant form right now after seven consecutive Bundesliga wins including Saturday’s 3-0 triumph over Mainz.
Nevertheless, Leverkusen stay top after their fourth victory in a row, a 3-1 triumph over Freiburg on Sunday with prolific hitman Stefan Kiessling scoring again. Curiously his former front partner Patrick Helmes, who has missed all of this season after injury, was back on the bench for Leverkusen.
Elsewhere, Werder slipped to sixth after losing their fifth match in a row, 4-3 at Moenchengladbach, while Dortmund’s winning streak came to an end 4-1 at improving Stuttgart, who are up to 10th under Christian Gross.
RANDOM LEAGUE (TURKEY)
Turkey’s top seven all enjoyed victories this weekend, but we must focus our attention on the battle between the two giants at the top, whilst the surprise packets just below them deserve a mention.
Fenerbahce’s 5-1 win at Sivasspor on Sunday was something to behold with Semih Senturk in form, but Galatasaray stay in touch with one of their many new signings, Jo, popping up for a late winner in a 2-1 triumph at struggling Denizlispor.
Next weekend, Gala face 4th placed Kayserispor, who’ve impressed many this season and returned to winning ways on Sunday at Gaziantepspor. Champions Besiktas are off the pace down in fifth