Ajax claim an important victory over their arch-rival Feyenoord, a demolishing 5-1 victory with Babovic being sent off in the 43rd minute leaving Feyenoord in ten men, then in the 89th, Van Dijk is sent off, leaving the losing side in nine men for the glamour finale by Suarez, who scored the final goal in the 5-1 victory.
In England, Fulham are able to overpower a weakened Liverpool side that at the end of the match, only had nine men on the field, Degen and Carragher both sent off with direct reds. Portsmouth get three crucial points even if they remain last in the table, Portsmouth carried by a super Dindane who claimed a hat trick in a 4-0 win over Wigan. Arsenal claim the North London Derby over Tottenham with a hearty 3-0 victory at the Emirates, Van Persie getting a brace and Fabregas scoring one to sink Tottenham Hotspur's top four dreams. A huge match between Burnley and Hull City ended 2-0 for Burnley, Phil Brown seems to be leading the sack race even though as he said, "My players are one million percent behind me." A brace by Alexander allows Burnley to rise up to tenth place. After a 4-0 win over Bolton, Chelsea can now say that their past four games in all competitions have been won by at least a four goal difference. Sunderland and West Ham face off and finish off with a 2-2 draw, with a player from both sides being sent off, West Ham went in front with two goals in the first half, and Sunderland came back well to claim the single point needed.
In Italy, Napoli come back in style against Juventus, winning 3-2 at Juventus' home. Trezeguet and Giovinco take Juventus up 2-0, but a wonderful brace by Hamsik, and a goal from Datolo brought Napoli back to win 3-2. Amauri was sent off after being subbed on with a direct red because of a rough challenge against De Sanctis (Napoli Goalkeeper) and what could be described as a "verbal confrontation" with some Napoli players also ended his good form. A controversial 0-0 between Sampdoria and Bari causes Antonio Cassano to come out with statements against the fans, the Italian said if the fans continue their poor attitude, he would leave Sampdoria. Inter Milan cruise to the top of the table with seven points clear of the second place Juventus thanks to a 2-0 win over Livorno, a goal by Diego Milito started the scoring, and then Maicon ended the match with another goal for the Nerazzurri. AC Milan get an important win over Parma, 2-0, with a brace by Borriello, and Ronaldinho getting both assists, AC Milan are ready to welcome Real Madrid to the San Siro during the midweek.
In Spain, Barcelona slip with a 1-1 draw against Osasuna, an own goal by Pique in injury time stole two points from the Catalans. Pellegrini looks to be a bit safer on the Real Madrid bench thanks to a 2-0 win over Getafe, a brace by Higuain will hopefully give the needed morale to Real to go to the San Siro and beat AC Milan, with Ronaldo or not. Villareal start banging in the goals, a 5-0 victory over Tenerife lets The Yellow Submarine move up to thirteenth place in the tables. Quique Flores has not changed the bad results that Atletico Madrid have been getting, a 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao leaves Atletico in 18th place. Valencia who could sell some of their key players in January win 1-0 over Malaga, letting them stay in the much needed fourth place which allows them to enter the Champions League Qualifiers next season.
This week was full of comebacks, reassuring results, and killer losses, what do you think of this week's matches? Comment below!
