Spain
Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the only goal as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 1-0 at home in the “clasico” to return to the top of the table. He netted a volley after 56 minutes and Barca survived a red card for Sergio Busquets soon after, as they went two points clear of its arch-rival with 30 points from 12 games. Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano scored twice in the second half to earn his side a 2-2 draw at home to struggling Malaga, that left it third with 26 points.
England
Two goals from Didier Drogba and an own-goal by Thomas Vermaelen gave Chelsea an important victory over London rival Arsenal to add to home wins over Manchester United and Liverpool earlier in the season. The Blues top the standings with 36 points, five clear of United, who won 4-1 at Portsmouth with a Wayne Rooney hat-trick and a free kick from Ryan Giggs, who turned 36 on Sunday. Tottenham Hotspur is third with 26 after a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa, with Arsenal fourth. Liverpool is fifth on 23 points after it beat Everton 2-0 in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
Italy
Inter Milan left it late but deservedly downed Fiorentina 1-0 and strengthened its grip on Serie A. The champion is seven points clear after Diego Milito’s 85th-minute penalty. AC Milan is its new nearest rivals after little-used substitute Klaas Jan Huntelaar grabbed his first two goals for the club in injury time to secure a 2-0 win at Catania.
