European review

Six of the best for Barca, but disappointment for Lyon and Bayern

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 6th October 2008

European review

Barcelona destroyed Atletico

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Barcelona were the weekend's biggest winners, while Lyon slipped to a rare defeat in Ligue 1.

Elsewhere, Bayern Munich's disappointing start to the season continued and Groningen continue to lead the way in Holland.

The Serie A table is becoming congested at the top, while Rangers suffered heartbreak at Love Street.

SPL

Reigning champions Celtic replaced Rangers at the summit this weekend after the Old Firm foes experienced contrasting fortunes.

The Hoops demolished Hamilton 4-0 at Parkhead, with Greek hot-shot Georgios Samaras amongst the goals once again.

Meanwhile, Walter Smith's Rangers slipped to a shock 1-0 defeat away at St Mirren, Stephen McGinn's solitary strike helping to fell the Glasgow giants.

That victory lifted the Saints off the foot of the table, with Aberdeen replacing them after a Derek Riordan double in a 2-1 win for Hibernian saw the pressure mount on the hapless Dons.

Primera Liga

Barcelona endured a turbulent start to the season but appear to have hit top form after they eased to a fourth straight league win on Saturday.

Atletico Madrid were expected to provide a stern tests of Pep Guardiola's managerial credentials, but the Camp Nou was left awestruck as their side proceeded to demolish their rivals 6-1.

Valencia remain top of the table after a 1-0 win away at Real Valladolid, while Villarreal picked up a fifth consecutive victory against rock-bottom Real Betis.

A brace from Raul spared Real Madrid's blushes against Espanyol, the legendary striker ensuring Los Blancos earned a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw.

Serie A

Lazio hung on to their spot at the summit on Saturday, but dropped two points in a 1-1 draw at home to Lecce.

Udinese secured a third straight win as Fabio Quagliarella inspired them to a 2-0 win at home to Torino, while Juventus were given a harsh lesson against Palmero as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat.

Adriano was on the scoresheet as Inter Milan saw off Bologna 2-1 and Roma continue to languish in the bottom half of the table after going down 1-0 at Siena.

On a disappointing weekend for the supposed title contenders AC Milan were also held to a 1-1 draw by rock-bottom Cagliari, the first point Massimiliano Allegri's side have taken this season.

Bundesliga

Hamburg have responded to life without Rafael van der Vaart in positive fashion and remain the side to beat in Germany.

A fifth win in seven games this term was secured away at Energie Cottbus on Sunday, with Mladen Petric grabbing a last-gasp winner in a 2-1 success.

Bayern Munich's grip on the title they claimed last season continues to slip, with Jurgen Klinsmann's side being held to a 3-3 draw by Bochum at Allianz Arena.

Elsewhere, Stuttgart proved far too strong for Werder Bremen as they claimed a 4-1 win and Borussia Monchengladbach slipped to a fourth straight defeat to keep them in trouble at the bottom.

Ligue 1

Lyon's lead in France is down to two points after the perennial champions were humbled 3-0 away at Rennes on Sunday.

A hat-trick from Mickael Pagis condemned Claude Puel's side to their first defeat of the season and allowed Toulouse to close the gap at the top after their 1-0 win against Auxerre.

Mamadou Niang helped Marseille to a 2-1 win at home to Caen, maintaining their unbeaten start to the campaign, and Lille claimed a third win in a row as they saw off Valenciennes.

Paris St Germain continue to frustrate, and were held 1-1 by Nancy, while Le Havre remain rock-bottom after a sixth defeat in seven games.

Eredivisie

Groningen show no sign on letting up in Holland as their unbeaten run stretched to five games with a comfortable 3-0 win against Den Haag.

PSV Eindhoven continue to lead the chasing pack and also claimed a 3-0 win this weekend at home to De Graafschap.

Ajax were hammered 5-2 by Heerenveen and Steve McClaren's FC Twente endured a day to forget as they went down 3-0 at Utrecht.

Elsewhere, Volendam remain pointless after they came up short in a six-goal thriller with NAC Breda.

Best of the rest

In Greece, PAOK Salonica's stalemate with Ergotelis on Saturday allowed reigning champions Olympiakos to draw level at the top.

Porto have moved ominously to the summit in Portugal, with a 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon on Saturday helping them maintain their advantage over Amadora.

Meanwhile, Trabzonspor's dramatic 3-2 success over Konyaspor sees them lead the way in the Super Lig, with Galatasaray succumbing to a 2-1 defeat away at in-form Bursaspor.