Lead cut to two

EPL: While still in stint to claim their second consecutive league title, Chelsea may not rest as easily as their lead was cut to two points over the weekend. The Mighty Blues played to a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday but it was Sunday’s match between Blackpool and Manchester City that created the change. The Citizens managed to record a somewhat hard-fought 3-2 victory over the home team. Carlos Tevez continued in his rich vein of form with a brace.

Title contenders Manchester United continue to look woeful as they gave up a two goal lead versus West Brom. Javier Hernandez and Nani were on target for the Red Devils but defensive lapses from Patrice Evra and Edwin Van der Sar allowed West Brom to grab a point in a 2-2 draw. Everton through Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta pounded on Liverpool as they claimed a vital 2-0 win in the Merseyside derby.

Tottenham Hotspurs continued their climb up the table with a come from behind 2-1 win over Fulham. Tom Huddlestone provided the winner. Their archrivals Arsenal also managed to secure a come from behind victory this against Birmingham City thanks to goals from Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh. Nikola Zigic has opened the socring in the 33rd minute with a well-placed header.

Los Blancos move up

La Liga: Real Madrid duly capitalised on Valencia’s demise and surged ahead of the previous table toppers with a 4-1 away drubbing of Malaga. Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo both recorded double strikes for Jose Mourinho’s team. Los Che lost their place at the top as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against defending champions Barcelona. Despite taking the early lead through Pablo Hernandez goals from Andres Iniesta and Carlos Puyol secured all three points for Barca.

Goals from Simao and Diego Costa eased Atletico Madrid to a 2-0 win over Getafe. In the shock of the weekend Sporting Gijon recorded a similar margin of victory but over top-tier Sevilla through goals from Diego Castro and Sangoy. Asier del Horno and Felipe Caicedo helped Levante to a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad with Athletic Bilbao recording a similar victory over Real Zaragoza.

Samba Magic

Serie A: AC Milan recorded a well played 3-1 win over Chievo Verona thanks directly through the influence of three Brazilians. Alexandre Pato scored a brace while Robinho scored his first for the club through a Ronaldhino assist. The win helped them to move to second in the tables. Lazio sit comfortably on the pinnacle as goals from Sergio Floccari and Hernanes propelled them to a 2-0 away win over Bari. A Samuel Eto’o strike in the 6th minute helped Inter Milan to a 1-0 away win over Cagliari.

Juventus recorded a comprehensive 4-0 whipping over Lecce through goals from Alberto Aquilani, Felipe Melo, Fabio Quagliarella and Alessandro del Piero while Palermo recorded a 4-1 win over Bologna. Among the scorers for Palermo was the Argentine rising star Javier Pastore. AS Roma helped themselves out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 win over Genoa. Marco Boriello and Matteo Brighi got their names on the score sheet for Roma.

Champions League Preview (Features)

Inter Milan vs Tottenham Hotspurs

The defending champions are up against their toughest rivals so far this season and but will be hoping to overcome their English opponents who are in good form.

Mainz stutter

Bundesliga: After an impressive unbeaten start to the season, Hamburg SV handed Mainz their first loss of the campaign through a 89th minute strike from Jose Guerrero. Borussia Dortmund gladly capitalised as goals from Kuba and Nuri Sahin with a stoppage time strike sealed a 2-1 win over FC Koln.

Mario Gomez scored a well-taken hat-trick as Bayern Munich cruised to a 3-0 win over Hannover 96. Goals from Aaron Hunt and Hugo Almeida handed Weder Bremen a 2-1 win SC Freiburg.

TSG Hoffenheim and Bayer Leverkusen both recorded come from behind 3-2 wins over Monchengladbach and VfL Wolfsburg respectively. In the latter game, Wolfsburg for the second time this season failed to hold on to a lead of two goals or more as goals from substitute Simon Rolfes with a brace and Arturo Vidal cancelled the efforts of Diego and Grafite. Schalke and VfB Stuggart played to an entertaining 2-2 draw.

Real Madrid vs AC Milan

More a clash of history than anything else, these perennial European powerhouses who both recorded impressive wins on the weekend should provide us with the best game of the round.

Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk

With Cesc Fabregas expected to mark his return the Gunners have an inspirational boost but with Shakhtar yet to concede this season they will be hoping their strikers settle quickly.