They are a point clear of Barcelona, who won 5-0 at home to Mallorca, with Levante a further point behind after finally losing their first game of the season, 2-0 to Osasuna.
Valencia are in fourth after a 3-1 home win against Getafe.
It was another spectacular weekend in the Premier League where Arsenal’s 5-3 win at Chelsea caught the imagination, with Robin van Persie netting a hat trick in an absorbing contest. Manchester City continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 3-1 win over Wolves, with their city rival United back to winning ways with a 1-0 win at Everton.
Champions League contenders Liverpool and Tottenham won 2-0 and 3-1 respectively against WBA and QPR.
In France, PSG continued their good form with a 4-2 win at home to Caen, and are three points clear of Montpellier, who continued their own impressive start with a 2-0 success against Nancy. Lille lost ground after a 0-0 draw at Valenciennes, whilst Marseille’s recovery continues after a 3-2 win at Dijon. Lyon won the Rhone derby 2-0 at home to St. Etienne.
In Italy, Juventus went top of the league with a 2-1 win at Inter Milan in the weekend’s big game. They are a point ahead of Udinese, who won 1-0 at home to Parma, whilst AC Milan are back in the title chase after a 3-2 success at AS Roma.
Napoli lost ground with a 2-1 loss at high flying Catania, whilst Lazio are in the Champions League mix after a 3-0 win at Cagliari.
In Germany, Bayern Munich returned to winning ways with a 4-0 win at home to Nurnberg, and Schalke beat Hoffenheim 3-1 to remain second. Champions Borussia Dortmund are third having drawn 1-1 at Stuttgart. Werder Bremen won 3-1 at Mainz and Borussia Moenchengladbach beat Hannover 2-1.
In Norway, Molde won their first ever league title in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first season as manager. They drew 2-2 with Stromgodstet, to move seven points clear of Rosenborg with two games to play; the champions had lost 6-3 at home to Brann.
Atromitos are surprise leaders in Greece after beating Panionos 2-1, whilst Olympiakos in second drew 2-2 with Crete. Panathinaikos are third after a 3-1 win at PAOK Salonika.
AZ’s 1-0 win at Heracles moved them six points clear in Holland, where Gronigen crushed second placed Feyenoord 6-0. PS V drew 2-2 at Twente whilst Ajax the champions won 4-0 at Roda JC.
Porto beat Pacos Ferreira to continue their long unbeaten run in Portugal and remain top (3-0) whilst Benfica’s unbeaten start to the season continues with a 2-1 win against Olhanense.
CSKA Moscow won 4-0 at home to Spartak Nalchik to keep up the pressure on Zenit St. Petersburg at the top of the league in Russia, and in the USA’s MLS play offs, LA Galaxy beat New York Red Bulls as David Beckham got one over on Thierry Henry. Beckham set up the winning goal.
In Argentina, Boca Juniors are nine points clear of nearest challengers Atletico Rafaela, whom they beat 3-1 at the weekend.
In Brazil, Corinthians and Vasco de Gama are joint at the top of the league with 58 points each and six games remaining in the championship. Corinthians beat Avai 2-1 whilst Vasco were held by Sao Paulo, who still harbour outside hopes of winning the league. Botafogo’s hopes are also alive after beating Cruzeiro 1-0.
