Leaders all lose in Spain

Elber's goal keeps Bayern on track for Budesliga title

Spain

Real Madrid suffered a rare defeat in La Liga, but kept their lead as their nearest challengers both lost too.

Madrid were beaten 1-0 away at Real Mallorca by a 40th-minute goal from Alberto Luque, but Deportivo La Coruna slumped to a 2-0 defeat away to Las Palmas.

Headed goals by Josico and Alvaro, both of which came after corners from Vinnie Samways, gave the home side a 2-0 lead into the break.

And some determined defending in the second half made sure of all three points for the Canary Island club.

Valencia were also beaten, going down 3-2 at Celta Vigo for who Valeriy Karpin scored two penalties.

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Italy

Defending champions Lazio thrashed second-placed Juventus 4-1 to rekindle their fading hopes of defending their title.

Two goals apiece from Pavel Nedved and Hernan Crespo ensured Dino Zoff's side overcame the Turin giants, who finished with nine men after Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids and French substitute David Trezeguet were sent off.

Serie A leaders Roma were held to a 0-0 draw by struggling Reggina but still extended their lead over Juve to seven points with Lazio a further two points behind.

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Germany

Uefa Cup semi-finalists Kaiserslautern moved up to third in the Bundesliga with a 2-1 win at Werder Bremen thanks to two first-half goals from Lokvenc.

But German champions Bayern Munich beat city rivals TSV 1860 Munich 2-0 to move three points clear at the top of the table.

Bayern threatened immediately when a header from Elber flew just over the bar.

Both sides then wasted several opportunities before Elber made it 1-0 from close range in the 48th minute.

Sergio on hand to score Bayern's second goal

Fellow Brazilian Paulo Sergio sealed the Bavarians' victory in an exciting derby from a counter-attack 10 minutes from time.

But Bayern's closest rivals Bayer Leverkusen kept up the pressure.

Leverkusen moved into second place with an important 3-1 win over Borussia Dortmund.

Fourth-place Schalke were unable to conjure any meaningful chances in a dour goalless draw with SC Freiburg.

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France

Paris St Germain's season of woe continued with a 2-0 defeat against title-chasing Bordeaux.

Goals either side of half-time from French international Christophe Dugarry and Tony Vairelles helped move Bordeaux up to fourth in the table.

The Parisians are now languishing in 12th with little prospect of a place in Europe next year.

Lille and Nantes continued their joust at the top of the French First Division.

Both scored emphatic wins to remain tied for the lead with five games remaining.

Australian striker Mile Sterjovski scored after eight minutes and Johnny Ecker added a second goal in second half injury time as Lille won 2-0 away at Toulouse.

Nantes, who are chasing a domestic treble, triumphed 4-1 at home to Sedan.

Sterjovski helps Lille stay joint top

Olympique Lyon moved up to third ahead of Sedan after a 3-0 win at AJ Auxerre but they remain four points off the pace.

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Belgium

Club Brugge could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Eendracht Aalst leaving them six points behind leaders Anderlecht.

Champions Anderlecht had suffered their first league defeat of the season on Saturday when Ghent beat them 2-1.

Young Egyptian midfielder Ahmed Hossam scored the winner in injury time.

His goal lifted Ghent up to fourth place in the standings, strengthening their chances of European football next year.

It also gave some hope to second-placed Club Brugge that they can loosen Anderlecht's solid grip on the Belgian title.

They trail the leaders by seven points but have a chance to cut that lead to four points when they play struggling Eendracht Aalst on Sunday.

Standard Liege beat Beveren 4-2 in Saturday's late match to stay in third place 17 points adrift of Anderlecht.

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