Karim Benzema grabs Lyons second.
Across Europe and it seems that many of the major title races in England, France & Spain have come to a gentle halt, all with relatively predictable league winners in Manchester United, Lyon & Barcelona. Most of their rivals slipped up this weekend leaving them clear at the top of their respective leagues by some margin; the title now seems to be in their hands.
In France and Lyon went a mighty six points clear from their nearest rivals Olympique Marseille this weekend. They managed to dispatch South coast side Nancy thanks to goals from Brazilian defender Cris and striker Karim Benzema who netted either side of the interval. Les Gones look set for their eighth league title in eight years as they continue to dominate at home. However the Champion’s League has been the major aim for the French side and they currently are preparing to play Spanish Giants Barcelona this coming Tuesday the 23rd of February.
Barcelona's domestic dominance stuttered slightly this weekend as they where defeated by relegation threatened Espanyol in the Catalan derby. Ivan de la Pena stuck twice at the start of the second half, to give Espanyol a comfortable two goal lead. Barcelona where handicapped by the dismissal of Barca midfielder Seydou Keita who was sent off for an over zealous challenge on Moises of Espanyol. However Yaya Toure managed to grab a goal back,but Espanyol survived the onslaught from the league leaders till full time.
This meant that Real Madrid had an opportunity to close the gap of the league leaders to seven points and they certainly took their opportunity destroying Real Betis 6-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu. Goals from Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Raul, Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Ramos saw the Madrista canter to victory now leaving the gap to just seven points against their Spanish rivals. Real Madrid are currently preparing to meet Liverpool this week in the Champion’s League round of sixteen.
In the Premier League Manchester United have a seven point lead at the top as Liverpool failed to pile on the pressure by only managing a 1-1 draw with Man City on Sunday afternoon. Former Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy was on the score sheet for the sky blues before Dutch Striker Dirk Kuyt levelled up the scores. It seems that the pressure is really getting to Liverpool, and this was compounded by Rafa Benitez noting "I think we will have to beat Manchester United now," If Liverpool have any chance of winning there first title in over eighteen years.
Elsewhere and Manchester United looked comfortable against local rivals Blackburn Rovers. A wonder strike from Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo gave the red devils a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford. Everton will be without classy Spanish midfielder Miguel Arteta for the rest of the season, after he ruptured his cruciate knee ligament in his sides 0-0 draw away from home against Newcastle United. It leaves Everton with a mini injury crisis with midfielders Leon Osman & Steven Pienaar out injured recently with the club trying to catch Arsenal in fifth place.
With all this talk of all but certain league champions you would perhaps question the validity of the European game. But this season it seems that the German Bundesliga has been bucking the trend with the most open league race for years. Newly promoted F.C Koln beat Bayern Munich by two goals to one at the Allianz Arena. It leaves the race wide open with just four points separating the top four in the league. Newly top of the table Hamburg beat a tricky Bayern Leverkusen 2-1, but the game of the weekend came between Hoffenheim & Stuttgart. It ended in a fantastic 3-3 draw in a game which was a tale of two strikers, Mario Gomez of Stuttgart who grabbed a brace & Demba Ba a hat-trick for Hoffenheim.
Finally to Italy and Inter still maintain their dominance at the top of the league with a 2-1 victory over Bologna on Saturday Substitute Mario Balotelli scored a fluke goal moments after coming on to give Serie A leaders victory. It leaves Inter nine points clear as nearest rivals Juventus kept the pressure up with a 2-0 victory at Palermo, with goals from Mohamed Sissoko & David Trezeguet. Third placed A.C Milan narrowly won 1-0 against Cagliari in Sunday’s big game, with the single goal from Clarence Seedorf.
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