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Messi fires Barca, Real win at Levante

Last updated on: November 12, 2012 19:25 IST
Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Real Mallorca on Sunday

Lionel Messi scored twice as Spanish leaders Barcelona overcame a second-half wobble to beat Real Mallorca 4-2 for their 10th win of the campaign in 11 matches.

Manchester United substitute Javier Hernandez inspired a 3-2 comeback win at Aston Villa in the Premier League to put Alex Ferguson's team two points clear at the top of the table.

SPAIN

Barcelona and Atletico Madrid enjoyed comfortable wins against Real Mallorca and Getafe respectively while Real Madrid endured an attritional battle in atrocious conditions to secure a 2-1 success at waterlogged Levante.

Barca conceded two quick goals in Mallorca but ran out victors thanks to Messi netting twice and Xavi and Cristian Tello also scoring.

Adrian and Arda Turan struck for Atletico in a 2-0 win at the Calderon to leave Diego Simeone's side three points adrift of Barca on 28 points, five ahead of Real.

Real forward Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for the champions in the 21st minute despite suffering a nasty gash over his left eye early in the game that forced him off at the break.

After substitute Angel Luis Rodriguez levelled for Levante in the 62nd minute, Xabi Alonso had a penalty saved before Alvaro Morata headed the winner six minutes from time.

Suarez nods in equaliser to rescue Reds at Stamford Bridge

Last updated on: November 12, 2012 19:25 IST
Liverpool's Luis Suarez (left) heads to score against Chelsea during their Premier League match at Stamford Bridge on Sunday

ENGLAND

A lucklustre Manchester United trailed 2-0 at Villa before Hernandez pulled a goal back and, after forcing an own goal by defender Ron Vlaar, the livewire Mexican headed in Robin van Persie's free kick three minutes from time to seal victory.

Chelsea were held to a 1-1 home draw by Liverpool and champions Manchester City climbed into second place after Edin Dzeko's late strike secured a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Chelsea captain John Terry put his side ahead after returning from a four-match domestic suspension but he was carried off with a serious-looking knee injury before Luis Suarez nodded in Liverpool's second-half equaliser.

Ribery, Alaba put Bayern seven points clear at the top

Last updated on: November 12, 2012 19:25 IST
Franck Ribery (right) of Bayern Munich celebrates with teammate David Alaba after scoring against Eintracht Frankfurt

GERMANY

Bayern Munich continued their superb run this season, beating third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 with a goal from Franck Ribery and David Alaba's late penalty to stay seven points clear at the top with their 10th win in 11 games.

Schalke 04 came from a goal down to snatch a 2-1 victory over Werder Bremen with Julian Draxler scoring the winner to stay in second on 23 points with Frankfurt three points behind.

Champions Borussia Dortmund moved back up to fourth on 19 with a trouble-free 3-1 victory at Augsburg as Robert Lewandowski scored twice.

Quagliarella 'tricks as Juve thrash Pescara

Last updated on: November 12, 2012 19:25 IST
Fabio Quagliarella of Juventus celebrates after scoring against Pescara on Saturday

ITALY

Fabio Quagliarella scored a hat-trick to lead titleholders and Serie A leaders Juventus to an emphatic 6-1 win at Pescara. Arturo Vidal, Kwadwo Asamoah and Sebastian Giovinco shared the other goals while Emmanual Cascione replied.

Juventus, who have 31 points from 12 games, moved four clear of second-placed Inter Milan who lost 3-2 at Atalanta where German Denis scored twice for the hosts including a penalty.

Napoli are a further point behind in third after scoring three times in the last 15 minutes to win 4-2 at Genoa. Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani was among the scorers, taking his tally to eight this season.

Lazio beat AS Roma 3-2 in a derby played in atrocious conditions and teenager Paulo Dybala scored twice as Palermo beat Sampdoria 2-0 to hand their opponents a seventh consecutive defeat.

PSG take top spot after drawing at Montpellier

Last updated on: November 12, 2012 19:25 IST
Montpellier's Remy Cabella reacts after scoring against Paris St Germain during their French Ligue 1 match

FRANCE

Paris St Germain survived Mamadou Sakho's early dismissal for shirt pulling to draw 1-1 at champions Montpellier and stay top of the Ligue 1 on 23 points from 12 games.

Olympique Marseille are second, level on points 23 points but behind on goal difference, after Nice snatched a late equaliser to grab a 2-2 draw.

Olympique Lyonnais drew 1-1 at Sochaux and are third, one point off the pace. They have the same number of points as St Etienne, who have not lost their last seven league games, and climbed to fourth thanks to a 2-0 home victory to Troyes.
Source: REUTERS
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