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England - Premiership

Ronaldo nets again

Cristiano Ronaldo equalled his goalscoring record from last season by getting his 23rd of the current campaign in Manchester United’s 2-0 win away at Reading. Nani was also involved for the champions, coming on with the scores level as two late goals kept United top of the Premiership from Arsenal on goal difference.

Chelsea are still in third after a narrow 1-0 win at Birmingham, with Ricardo Carvalho playing the full ninety minutes in defence for the Blues.

Elsewhere, Portsmouth got back on track as Pedro Mendes played in their 3-1 victory over Derby, while Nuno Valente played the entire match for Everton in their 2-1 win at Wigan, with Manuel Fernandes left on the bench, and Luis Boa Morte was substituted with twenty minutes left to play of West Ham’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

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France - Ligue 1

Pedro Pauleta’s goal last weekend was not enough to earn the Azorean a start in Paris Saint-Germain’s trip to Lorient. The veteran striker came on at half time as PSG went down to a 1-0 defeat that leaves them still languishing in the lower reaches of the Ligue 1 table. Marco Ramos missed out on Lens’ memorable 3-0 thrashing of champions Lyon on Sunday evening.

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Germany - Bundesliga

Winter break.

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Italy - Serie A

Maniche debut

Fernando Couto was sent off as Parma threw away a 2-1 lead to lose 3-2 at Inter thanks to a Zlatan Ibrahimovic double in the final two minutes. Maniche was handed a debut in midfield for Inter, while Vitor Pele was an unused substitute. Couto started the game but, with two minutes left to play and his side leading gave away a penalty for deliberate handball and was dismissed, with Zlatan converting the spot kick and getting the winner in injury time.

Second place Roma would have been left disappointed by the Nerazurri’s comeback, having beaten Catania 2-0 to stay in touch with the leaders. Vitorino Antunes played the final thirteen minutes for Roma, who remain seven points off the top. Juventus lost further ground on leaders Inter with a goalless draw at home against Sampdoria, with Tiago an unused substitute. Jose Vidigal played the full ninety minutes as Livorno beat Empoli 1-0.

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Spain - La Liga

Real win Madrid derby

Real Madrid’s hopes of retaining their title received a massive boost as they ran out 2-0 winners in their city derby with Atletico on Sunday evening. Pepe started for Real at the Vicente Calderon but was taken off injured after just fifteen minutes, while the same fate beset Simao Sabrosa who left the pitch before half time.

Barcelona are still seven points behind their bitter rivals, despite a 1-0 win over Racing at the Camp Nou with Deco playing the full match in midfield. Meanwhile, Sevilla left Duda on the bench as they conceded a last-minute winner to lose 3-2 at Getafe. Valencia’s problems also continued with Marco Caneira playing in a 3-0 defeat at Villarreal.

Roberto Beto’s recent outburst earned him a recall to the Recreativo defence for the team’s trip to play Real Betis. Ricardo kept goal for the home side, while Beto was joined in the Recre side by Carlos Martins as the teams played out a 1-1 draw. Jose Nunes played in defence as Mallorca were held 2-2 at rock-bottom Levante. Hugo Viana was not involved in Osasuna’s 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.

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Others

Greece

AEK Athens went back to the top of the Greek league on Saturday following a 1-0 win away at Atromitos, with Geraldo Alves playing in defence and Manu coming on for the final twenty minutes. Jose Peseiro’s Panathinaikos are in third and the former Sporting boss handed Helder Postiga his debut as the side beat Ergotelis Heraklion 1-0 on Sunday, the striker coming on just after the hour mark.

Fernando Santos’ PAOK continue to disappoint, with the ex-Benfica manager selecting Daniel Fernandes in goal as his side went down 1-0 at Iraklis Saloniki.

Holland

Champions PSV were surprisingly held 1-1 at VVV Venlo on Sunday, with Manuel da Costa still out injured for the Eredivisie leaders, who hold a three-point lead over nearest challengers Ajax at the top of the Dutch league.

Poland

Winter break.

Romania

Winter break.

Scotland

Hearts were given a rare reason for celebration after beating Hibernian 1-0 in the Edinburgh derby on Saturday. Jose Goncalves played in defence for the Jambos, while visiting Hibs were without suspended winger Filipe Morais. Pedro Moutinho and Falkirk were 2-0 losers at Gretna.

Serbia

Winter break.

Switzerland

Winter break.

Turkey

Defender Ze Gomes and midfielder Neca were both in the starting line-up as Konyaspor crashed to a 3-0 defeat away at Kayserispor on Sunday. The result saw Konya slip down to 8th in the Turkcell Süper Lig.

Star Performer

Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea)

Portugal’s first choice central defender was a rock at the back as Chelsea kept themselves in sight of leaders Manchester United with a narrow 1-0 win from their tough trip to Birmingham City.

Earlier Round-ups