PREMIER LEAGUE (HIGHLIGHTS IN THE HEADLINES)
Spurs miss two late sitters as the Reds’ run rolls on. Sergio smashes records in Villa romp. Saints’ divine run of form continues. Four defeats on the bounce have Clarets looking over their shoulder. Red Devils torment crocked Canaries. Fabianski’s injury leads to yet another goalkeeping calamity inflicted defeat. Almiron scores his best so far to secure point for Magpies at Molineux. Aubameyang anguish spells trouble for Arteta. Toffees moving clear of danger Carlo’s way. Two sides on very different trajectories as Pearson leaves Bournemouth wandering Howe they can turn things around.

LA LIGA
The aristocrats were busy chasing petrodollars in the desert whilst the plebs scrapped for crumbs back home in an early Copa Del Rey round bereft of interest or surprise thanks to a seeding system that stacks everything in favour of the wealthy. A reflection of the world today…and Valverde’s been given the old heave-ho after two awful seasons of winning the league.

SERIE A WEEK 19 HIGHLIGHTS
After the antipasti of last week, the main dishes were served up. Inter held on for a point against a dominant Atalanta at the San Siro, but relinquished top spot as Juve won at the Olimpico against Roma. It is no longer a two-horse race at the top, though, as a run of ten straight wins for Lazio has put them very much in the title picture. With no European distractions from here on in, could this be their year? Cagliari’s fourth straight defeat, sealed by Zlatan’s first goal on his return to Serie A, has Parma and Torino snapping at their heels for the final European spot after they both secured home wins. The bottom four all lost again this week and have now been cut four points adrift, with the worst defeat seeing Brescia destroyed 5-1 by Samp, who have reached safer waters with Ranieri at the helm. Udinese’s three game winning streak has propelled them to mid-table mediocrity, a 3-0 home win against Sassuolo securing the points this time out.

BUNDESLIGA
Still on their hols. Bis bald!

LIGUE 1 WEEK 20 HIGHLIGHTS
Robert Moreno’s tenure at AS began positively as Monaco’s return to health was confirmed by a 3-3 draw in the capital. In Brittany, a late Kevin Strootman strike at 3rd place Rennes put Marseille within five of the leaders and well clear of the chasing pack. There were signs of recovery for OL as well, who dominated in a victory in Bordeaux. Their main rivals Saint-Etienne, meanwhile, lost at home to the Canaries in a match played behind closed doors due to the unscheduled fireworks display that took place last time out at the Geoffroy Guichard. At the bottom, the Crocodiles picked up a key win over Reims to close the gap on the Unicorns, who are in dire need of some magic. Elsewhere, the Derby de l’Est was taken by Metz, record goal-scorer Julio Tavares eased Dijon past Lille, Angers drew with Nice, and Brest smashed Toulouse 5-2, scoring four goals in the last 20 minutes as the bottom side continue their somewhat inevitable progress towards Ligue 2.