Real Madrid hold 9-point lead at top of La Liga despite loss to Barcelona

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) – Real Madrid tasted a huge 4-0 defeat against Barcelona on Sunday, but they still have a nine-point lead at the top of the La Liga after Sevillas' goalless draw against Real Sociedad.

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang led his team to victory at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, scoring twice and grabbing one assist on the road as the other goals came from Ronald Araujo and Ferran Torres.

It was a fifth consecutive Spanish league victory for Barca.

With a game in hand, Barcelona increased their points to 54, placing fourth in the La Liga standings.

Second-place Sevilla were held to a goalless draw against Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Real Madrid top La Liga with 66 points, while Sevilla are in second place with 57 points.

- Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain suffered a surprise 3-0 loss at an away match to seventh-place Monaco. Ben Yedder scored twice and Kevin Volland produced a goal for Monaco.

Olympique Marseille beat Nice 2-1 to jump to the second place with 53 points. Rennes toppled Metz 6-1.

Having 65 points, the Parisians remain 12 points clear of second-placed Olympique Marseille at the top of the standings after the fourth Ligue 1 loss of the season.

Rennes are in third spot with 52 points, while reigning Ligue 1 champions Lille are in sixth place with 46 points.

- Premier League

Arsenal enjoyed a 1-0 win over Aston Villa, while Tottenham claimed a 3-1 victory over West Ham United.

Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool did not play their Premier League fixtures due to FA Cup quarterfinal ties.

Manchester City are atop of the league with 70 points, Liverpool are in second place with 69 points, and Chelsea sit third with 59 points.

Arsenal have 54 points to hold the fourth spot.

- Serie A

Italian league leader AC Milan sealed a narrow 1-0 win over Cagliari on the road, while Napoli beat Udinese 2-1 at home.

Reigning champions Inter Milan were held to a 1-1 draw with Fiorentina and Juventus beat Serie A's bottom-club Salernitana 2-0.

On matchday 30, AC Milan remained at the top of the standings with 66 points, followed by Napoli with 63 points, Inter Milan with 60, and Juventus with 59.

- Bundesliga

Nine-time defending champions Bayern Munich hammered Union Berlin 4-0 at their home ground, Allianz Arena.

Second-place Borussia Dortmund drew 1-1 with FC Koln to drop six points behind leaders Bayern.

Bayer Leverkusen got a 2-0 away win over Wolfsburg Playing at Volkswagen Arena to boost their points 48.

Bayern Munich top the German league standings with 63 points.