Major European Leagues Wrap Up: Liverpool overcome Manchester United, 2-0

This weekend was full of action, not only were there big games between top tier teams, but some matches were just as important for the other teams.

For full match reports, click read more.

In England, the weakened Liverpool side that was ready to crack overcomes Manchester United winning 2-0, this win lets Chelsea stay top of the table, and will hopefully revive the Reds. Chelsea overpower Blackburn 5-0, an own goal from Givet started the scoring for the Blues. A huge game for Hull City and
Portsmouth ends 0-0, in what could be described as an unimaginative match, could Phil Brown be in the sack race? Tottenham lose to Stoke City 1-0, and the Gunners are held to a draw by a revitalized West Ham side, with the North London Derby coming up next week for Arsenal and Tottenham, the pressure could be starting to rise.

In Spain, Barcelona entertain the crowd while getting the result, a 6-1 win against Real Zaragoza leaves Real Madrid three points behind after drawing 0-0 with Sporting Gijon. Sevilla are also held to a 0-0 draw by Espanyol, while Valencia win against Almeria 3-0. Atletico Madrid who have recently replaced Michael Laudrup with Quique Flores drew 1-1 against a rising Mallorca team, leaving them 17th, just out of relegation's reach.

In Italy, Sampdoria easily take care of Bologna 4-1 thanks to spectacular contributions by Cassano and Pazzini, and Inter Milan remain at the top of the Serie A with a 2-1 victory over Catania, Sneijder an instrumental player again. Genoa are beaten 3-2 by Cagliari and Lazio are beaten 2-0 by Bari, both results where the underdog was dominant. AC Milan continue their good form and beat ChievoVerona 2-1 thanks to an eternal Nesta, and Roma continue their terrible form, losing 1-0 to Livorno at home. Fiorentina lose to Napoli which is guided by Maggio, and Juventus are able to triumph over Siena even though the team is missing Iaquinta.


For full match reports, click read more.



*MATCH OF THE WEEK* Liverpool - Manchester United


A wounded Liverpool side, there for the taking against a consistent Manchester United side, looking to eliminate all of Liverpool's hopes of entering the top four, when the two are pitted against each other, two goals, and two players being sent off. A great match that in the first half was competitive, both sides showing signs of attacking play, Liverpool with many of the opportunities, and Manchester United, dangerous on the counter. But the second half proved fatal to the English Champions, a recovering Torres nabs a goal in the 65th minute to stun United, Sir Alex Ferguson reacts by putting the ex, Michael Owen in, hoping for a late winner. A fatal red card to Vidic in the 89th minute sends the red devils into turmoil, and N'Gog scores in the 90th, making it 2-0. Mascherano is also sent off, but Benitez can now relax a little, and hope the moral will change the results coming up, a fantastic result by a wonderful Liverpool, and a disappointing Manchester United.




West Ham United - Arsenal


A game with many defensive errors, in fact, every goal originates somehow because of a defensive error Take Van Persie's goal in the 15th minute, an error by Robert Green left only a simple finish for the dutch striker, Gallas' goal is scored soon after because of bad defending by Ilunga and Parker. The Gunners did not take advantage of other opportunities they had, and when Mannone's bad clearance hands Cole a goal in the 74th minute, West Ham were determined to score again. six minutes later, a clumsy challenge by Song cost Arsenal a penalty which was neatly tucked away by Diamanti. Arsenal continued to persist for a winner, but Green denied Van Persie a header with his out-stretched leg. A game of mistakes which led to a point each.




Barcelona - Real Zaragoza


A thrilling match no doubt, with three goals in the first half, and four in the second, Messi, Ibrahimovic, and Keita did not fail to entertain, a goal for Messi, two for brahimovic, and a hat trick for Keita showed off the offensive power which led Barcelona to this victory. Ibrahimovic and Messi are slowly getting more and more acquainted with each other, and as they do goals start to appear out of thin air, the pair were instrumental in Barcelona's victory, providing assists and goals which in the end steamrolled the weak Zaragoza side. Barcelona are becoming even more lovely to watch, and the Swede and the Argentinean are conjuring up some fantastic results. 




Atletico Madrid - Mallorca


This match's tone was set very quickly, Josemi being sent off in the 27th minute because of accumulation of yellow cards was a decision which left Mallorca in ten men for the rest of the first half, and five minutes of the second half until Ramis fouls picks up a second yellow because of handball in the area. Forlan having already missed from the penalty spot does not miss again, and 1-0 lead against a 9 man Mallorca side could be a simple thing to defend, but Mallorca stun a poor Atletico Madrid side with a final minute equalizer by Valero, slotting it past  David de Gea.




Sampdoria - Bologna


Right before Sampdoria's biggest test, the blucerchiati decide to enjoy themselves, Cassano especially. A wonderful performance by Sampdoria which puts the team in great morale for the upcoming game against Juventus on Wednesday. Sampdoria start the scoring early, in the 8th minute Pazzini strikes, leaving Bologna stunned, soon after Mannini and Ziegler score in the 17th and 26th minutes. Right after this terrible start, Bologna's main striker Marco Di Vaio is sent off in the 27th minute because of accumulation of yellow cards, not a good sign for Bologna. Mannini scores another in the 33rd and Sampdoria finish the match with no more goals, in the second half Osvaldo scores a goal for Bologna, but it is too little too late for the weakened team.


What do you think of this week's results? Comment Below!