European Roundup: Bayern back to their best as Juventus survive early scare

As Manchester City opened up the gap at the top of the English Premier League, what happened across the other top European leagues?

Napoli remain top in Italy despite a goalless draw at ChievoVerona, one point ahead of Juventus who came from a goal down to beat Benevento 2-1 at home. Inter sit third after a 1-1 draw with Torino, two points ahead of Lazio whose tie with Udinese was postponed due to heavy rainfall. Ex-Liverpool men Suso and Borini combined to score AC Milan’s second in a 2-0 win at Sassuolo, yet the game of the weekend was at Fiorentina who twice came from behind to claw back a 2-2 at home to Roma, yet the away side scored twice in the second half to win the game 4-2.

In Spain, Barcelona’s 2-1 victory at home to Sevilla was courtesy of an Alcacer brace, while second place Valencia eased to a 3-0 home win over Leganes. Real Madrid sit third after beating Las Palmas 3-0 thanks to goals from Casemiro, Isco and a thunderbolt from Asensio. A 90th minute winner from Thomas helped Atletico to a 1-0 win at Deportivo, while Villarreal complete the top five as they beat Malaga 2-0, condemning the away side to yet another loss, and so they remain rock bottom of the table.

Bayern Munich are now four points clear at the top of the Bundesliga as James bagged two assists in a fantastic 3-1 win at rivals Borussia Dortmund, while RB Leipzig’s 2-1 win at home to Hannover sent them second in the table, the home side turning around a one goal deficit through a goal and assist from Werner. Schalke’s 1-0 win at Freiburg sent them fourth – level on points with Dortmund in third – with Hoffenheim in fifth after easing past Cologne 3-0, with forward Wagner grabbing a brace. Mario Gomez missed a penalty before scoring in Wolfsburg’s six-goal thriller with Hertha Berlin, with on-loan Liverpool man Origi grabbing a goal and an assist in the 3-3 draw.

PSG remain four points clear at the top of Ligue 1 after yet another thumping victory, this time putting five past Angers through Cavani (2), Mbappe (2) and Draxler. They were however outdone by second place Monaco, who smashed Guingamp 6-0 as Adama Traore and Guido Carrillo both bagged braces. Thauvin also bagged a brace as Marseille put five past Caen to send them fourth in the table, a point behind Lyon who amazingly also managed five in their rout at ten-man Saint-Etienne, with Fekir at the double for the away side.