Porto maintained the pressure on the top two with a 2-1 defeat of Rio Ave, while sixth-placed Maritimo earned a battling draw at Belenenses.

Carles Puyol acknowledged Real Madrid had really tested the champions in ‘El Clásico’ at Camp Nou, citing Barça’s work ethic as pivotal in the win.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is hoping his team’s FA Cup third-round draw against Watford will afford him the chance to meet one of his heroes.

League leaders Young Boys extended their advantage over Basel to seven points after beating their title rivals 2-0, as Zurich defeated Aarau.

Swedish supersub Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the hero as ten-man Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 1-0 in an enthralling ‘El Clasico’ at Camp Nou.

Stefan Kiessling scored a hat-trick as Bayer Leverkusen defeated Stuttgart 4-0 to go three points clear at the top, as Bayern Munich defeated Hannover.

Marko Pantelic grabbed a hat-trick as Ajax maintained the pressure on the top two with a win at Vitesse Arnhem, as Feyenoord beat ADO Den Haag.

Copenhagen moved to within a point of leaders Odense courtesy of a 2-0 home victory over Midtjylland, as Brondby lost 1-0 at Aarhus.

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho hailed the determination his players showed in their win over Fiorentina, after a midweek setback at Barcelona.

Barcelona beat Real Madrid to leapfrog their arch rivals and move to the top of La Liga