Unbeaten streaks snapped in tough weekend for top European football sides

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) – A mixed weekend for leaders in Europe’s top football leagues ended with surprise defeats for two of the continent’s most in-form teams – Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

A commanding performance by Harry Kane, which he capped with two goals, including a last-gasp winner, inspired Tottenham to a memorable 3-2 win at City’s Etihad Stadium.

It was the first loss in 15 Premier League games for Pep Guardiola’s men and a much-needed morale booster for Antonio Conte’s side after three straight defeats in England’s top division.

Liverpool made the most of City’s slipup by securing their fifth win on the trot.

A comfortable 3-1 home victory against Norwich City leaves Jurgen Klopp’s team just six points behind the league leaders with a game in hand.

Rounding off the Premier League’s top four, Chelsea toiled hard for a narrow 1-0 away win against Crystal Palace, while Manchester United overcame Leeds United 4-2 in a goal fest at Elland Road.

Manchester City remain top with 63 points, followed by Liverpool on 57 points, Chelsea at 50 with a game in hand, and Manchester United on 46 points.

- La Liga

Real Madrid beat Alaves 3-0 to go six points clear at the top of the Spanish La Liga.

Second-placed Sevilla were held to a 1-1 draw away at Espanyol, while Real Betis claimed a 2-1 win over Mallorca.

Barcelona thumped Valencia 4-1 on the road as new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a hat trick.

The results leave Real Madrid top of the table with 57 points, followed by Sevilla on 51, Real Betis in third place with 46 points, and Barcelona, who have a game in hand, in fourth spot with 42 points.

- Serie A

In Italy, Inter Milan wasted a golden opportunity to take top spot after leaders AC Milan were held to a 2-2 draw away at Salernitana.

Reigning champions Inter failed to capitalize on the chance, slumping to a 2-0 home defeat against Sassuolo.

Juventus also went winless on the weekend as they played out a 1-1 draw against Torino in the Derby della Mole.

AC Milan remain top of Serie A with 56 points, followed by Inter Milan on 54 and Napoli, who play Cagliari on Monday night, with 53 points.

Massimiliano Allegri’s Juventus are in fourth spot with 47 points.

- Bundesliga

Bayern Munich marched on toward a 10th successive German Bundesliga title, responding emphatically after conceding first to secure a 4-1 home win against Greuther Furth.

Closest rivals Borussia Dortmund hammered Borussia Monchengladbach 6-0 at home, while third-placed Bayer Leverkusen slipped to a 3-2 loss away at Mainz.

Bayern Munich are top of the table with 55 points, while Borussia Dortmund have 49 points and Bayer Leverkusen are on 41.

- Ligue 1

Leaders PSG were handed a shock 3-1 defeat away at Nantes, only their second loss of the entire Ligue 1 season.

The race for second spot has become more heated after this weekend as Olympique Marseille lost 2-0 to Clermont.

Nice pounced on the chance, beating Angers 1-0 to close the gap with Marseille to just one point.

PSG are way ahead of the chasing pack with 59 points, while Marseille and Nice have 46 and 45 points, respectively.