Those results leave the Bianconeri a point clear of the champions AC Milan, with their closest rivals Udinese a further two behind after losing 3-2 at Genoa. Lazio retain title hope with a 2-0 win over Atalanta whilst Inter are now fifth.
In France, Paris St Germain and Montpellier appear to have made it a two horse race after they both won tough games. PSG beat Toulouse 3-1 in Carlo Ancelotti’s first game in charge at the Parc des Princes, largely thanks to the heroics of Néné. Montpellier had Olivier Giroud to thank once again for their 1-0 win over Olympique Lyon. They appear out of the title race, whilst champions Lille have an uphill struggle on too after succumbing to a 2-0 loss at Marseille to end their long unbeaten run.
In Spain, Real Madrid are still five points clear at the top but both they and Barcelona were made to sweat for their victories this weekend. Real had trailed to Real Mallorca for a long period before eventually turning around the game and winning 2-1. Barcelona had gone 2-0 up against Real Betis at home, but the visitors came back to 2-2. A red card broke their resistance and Alexis Sanchez and a penalty from Leo Messi secured their win. Valencia in third were stunned by Real Sociedad, who won 1-0 at the Mestalla. Fourth placed Levante also lost, 3-0 to Athletic Bilbao, who are fifth.
Of the other Champions League hopefuls, Osasuna lost at home to Racing Santander 2-0, Sevilla and Espanyol drew 0-0 and Malaga went down 2-1 at Sporting Gijon.
In England, Manchester United drew level with Manchester City before the latter’s Monday night clash with a 3-0 win over a poor Bolton side. Tottenham could also have joined them but they were held to a 1-1 draw by Wolves. Arsenal lost 3-2 to Swansea in the weekend’s shock result, whilst Chelsea cemented their fourth spot in the league with a 1-0 win over Sunderland. Liverpool were held 0-0 by Stoke and Newcastle retain a Champions League hope with a 1-0 win over QPR.
Benfica and Porto both continued their unbeaten runs to lead in Portugal. Benfica crushed Vitoria Setubal 4-1, whilst Porto cruised to a 2-0 win over Rio Ave. Braga beat Sporting Lisbon 2-1.
Panathinaikos won 1-0 at Giannia to keep touch with Olympiakos in Greece, who beat Levadiakos 3-1. In Belgium Club Bruges good run came to an end with a 3-0 loss at leaders Anderlecht, who are six points clear.
Galatasaray are seven points ahead of Besiktas after a 5-1 win over Karabukspor. Besiktas beat Bursaspor 3-1 and Trabzonspor beat Samsunspor 4-0.
In the fledgling Mexican league, Real San Luis are top after becoming the only team to win both opening games following a 2-0 win at Estudiantes Tecos. Toluca and CF America drew 1-1.
