Powerful City go top with controversial win

Manchester City recorded a 2-0 win away to Newcastle but 90 minutes didn’t pass without some controversy. Edin Dzeko opened the scoring in the eighth minute before Cheick Tiote had a goal for Newcastle which was ruled out for offside and the decision caused a touchline spat between the managers of both sides. Man City went on to score another goal — through Alvaro Negredo.

Daniel Sturridge returned from injury to score the last goal in an eight-goal thriller as Liverpool won their first match away to Stoke City in more than 29 years. The game ended 5-3 with Suarez scoring another double, while Steven Gerrard and a Ryan Shawcross own goal rounded off the scoring for the Reds. Charlie Adam, Peter Crouch and Jon Walters scored for the home team.

Hull City Tigers 0 — Chelsea 2

Man United 2 — Swansea City 0

Tottenham 2 — 0 Crystal Palace

Atletico and Barcelona still locked at the top

With Atletico Madrid and Barcelona locking horns at the Vicente Calderon, many were expecting this to be the time one would pull away from the other. Not so, after this encounter as Atletico were disciplined from the outset to stifle their visitors, even after Lionel Messi and Neymar were introduced. The game did not have much to write home about and ended 0-0.

Portugese centre half Pepe headed home the only goal of the game in the 55th minute as Real Madrid defeated Espanyol 1-0. The win ensured Madrid cut the gap to three points at the top. The victory was Los Blancos’ eighth in nine games since their league defeat to Barca in October.

Athletic Bilbao 6 — Almeria 1

Elche 1 — Sevilla CF 1

Celta Vigo 2 — 1 Valencia

Marchisio-inspired Juve to 11th win in a row

Claudio Marchisio came off the bench to ignite a Juve fight back and lead the Turin-based club to a 4-1 victory over Cagliari in the Italian Serie A on Sunday. After Cagliari took a surprise lead through Mauricio Pinilla via a set piece, Fernando Llorente equalised 10 minutes after to make it 1-1.

Marchisio’s goal from distance began it while Llorente’s second and another from Stephan Lichtsteiner completed the fight back to make it a record 11 straight wins.

AS Roma returned to form as they blanked Genoa 4-0 to remain in second place on the Serie A table. A spectacular overhead kick by Alessandro Florenzi started it all before goals from captain Francesco Totti, Maicon and Mehdi Benatia completed the comprehensive win for the Romans.

Hellas Verona 0 — Napoli 3

Sassuolo 4 — AC Milan 3

Livorno 0 — Parma 3