A major cup shock occurred when non-league Histon beat the once mighty Leeds United 1-0 in the FA Cup. How times change.
Germany
The big game of the weekend saw Bayern Munich win 2-0 at Bayer Leverkusen with goals from Toni and Klose. Werder Bremen thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt 5-0, whilst Hoffenheim stayed top beating Arminia Bielefeld 3-0, with that man Ibisevic scoring yet again, this time after only five minutes.
France
The two on form teams, Rennes and Paris St. Germain, met at Rennes with the home side running out winners with a shot from substitute Cheyrou. Mikael Landreau in the PSG goal had already pulled off a spectacular save from Rennes midfielder Pagis but was horribly slow getting down to this one and allowed the ball to go past him.
Bottom of the table Valenciennes somehow managed a 0-0 draw at Champions Lyon whilst struggling St. Etienne finally won, 2-1 at Nancy.
Holland
Ajax and Utrecht fought out a tough 1-1 draw at the Amsterdam Arena. Elsewhere NEC thumped six past FC Volendam in a 6-1 win.
Italy
Internazionale maintained their title aspirations by beating Napoli at the San Siro 2-1 with goals from Cordoba and Muntari. AC Milan surprisingly lost 1-3 at Palermo with Ronaldhino scoring a late consolation from the penalty spot. Juventus kept their challenge on course with a convincing 4-0 home win over Reggina. That man Alessandro Del Piero scored again in the 75th minute.
Belgium
My game this weekend, with Lens not playing until Monday, was Royal Excelsior Mouscron at home to Lokeren. It promised to be a tight match, sixth versus seventh, that was until the ninth minute when a direct free kick from Mouscron’s Adnan Custovic was inexplicably allowed to trickle between the Lokeren keepers legs. As the away team committed men forward in search of the equaliser Mouscron broke down the left in the 80th minute and substitute Sishuba crossed for Christophe Lepoint to neatly tap in.
Club Bruges remained ahead of Anderlecht at the top by beating troubled Germinal Beerschot Antwerp 3-0. Meanwhile Gent thrashed bottom side KSV Roeselare 4-0. Anderlecht won 2-0 at FC Dender.
Spain
Getafe were the surprise winners at home to inconsistent Real Madrid, 3-1. Rivals Barcelona won away with an emphatic 3-0 victory at Seville with two goals from Lionel Messi and one from Samuel Eto’o. Seville had Luis Fabiano sent off in the 86th minute but by then Barca were already 2-0 up.
Article comments
1 - Robert M. Barga
Psh, you have your knots all ties up wrong. It is the Columbus Crew who is clearly the best team in Manchester. Hell, they need not even be playing in that city and the are better than your sorry teams
that said, please don't kill me
2 - Dr Dreadful
Not understanding you, Robert. Is there a suburb of Columbus called Manchester where the Crew have their stadium?
If not, well, let's test your theorem by arranging a friendly between Columbus and either of the Manchester teams and see how they get on.
You barbecue the hot dogs and I'll order 11 body bags.
3 - Robert M. Barga
I was basically saying that english clubs are worse than our 2008 MLS cup winners, and that our team is better even though it doesnt play there (i.e., you guys suck)...
granted, last time we played a friendly we lost, but we had a great brawl (i was among those insulting the Queen, even though I think she is great and all)... If Manchester ever plays the Crew, here at home, I will make you some hotdogs and get you pleanty to drink (real beer, not the piss we Americans call beer)...
4 - Dr Dreadful
I was basically saying that english clubs are worse than our 2008 MLS cup winners, and that our team is better even though it doesnt play there
As you admit, last time Columbus Crew played an English team they lost - although in friendly matches anything can happen. I guarantee you, though, that if the Crew were ever to play Manchester United, Manchester City or any of the other 18 Premier League sides in a serious competitive match, the English team would wipe the floor with them.
Sure, MLS is improving, but up against the Premier League? I'm sorry, they're just not in the same... well, league.
Oh, and for the record, I'm not a fan of either of the Manchester teams.
5 - Robert M. Barga
I think our best could take on one of your teams, after all, you guys took the Crews star for a few seasons
that said, you are right, we are nothing yet (I am an united fan when looking at the british game, but crew fan otherwise)
6 - Dr Dreadful
It may be a long time before we get to test this out. The major international club competitions are, at present, intracontinental - the two oldest and most important being the European Champions' League (formerly the European Cup) and the Copa Libertadores in South America.
There is of course the Club World Cup, but no-one really takes that seriously.
7 - Robert M. Barga
psh, world cup or olympics...
i think we have another friendly schedualed for next year, but i think it is away (alas, no cheering for me)