Real crumble but Arsenal, Milan triumph after European exits
LONDON, April 12: Europe's top clubs experienced mixed fortunes on their return to domestic action over the Easter weekend after the shocks and dramas thrown up by the Champions League in midweek.
Real Madrid followed their demoralising midweek exit from Europe's showcase competition with a crushing home defeat in the Primera Liga on Sunday that cost them top spot.
Arsenal bounced back from a torrid week in which their treble dream was shattered to restore their commanding position at the top of the English Premier League. AC Milan, who like Real had their European ambitions ended when they looked certain to progress, needed a debatable late penalty to ensure they won in Serie A and maintained their nine-point lead.
Real Madrid ended a confidence-shattering week with their first home defeat of the season, a 3-0 rout by Osasuna which allowed Valencia to go top. After their shock 3-1 Champions League quarterfinal defeat by Monaco on Tuesday, having gone into the game 4-2 up after the first leg, Real could not have got off to a worse start at the Bernabeu when Valdo scored for Osasuna in the second minute.
Real were 2-0 down by the break and had also lost Brazilian striker Ronaldo due to injury. After the third goal by Moha, the crowd waved white handkerchiefs to signify surrender.
Valencia took over the leadership Real had held since Jan 19 after midfielder Miguel Angel Angulo's second-half header earned his side a 1-0 win at Real Zaragoza.
Arsenal ended an exhausting run of four matches in nine days against tough opposition on a positive note, with a 4-2 Premier League win over Liverpool on Friday and a goalless draw at Newcastle United on Sunday.
Arsene Wenger's side had been chasing glory on three fronts before last Saturday's FA Cup semifinal defeat by Manchester United and Tuesday's last-gasp defeat by Chelsea which ousted the Gunners from the Champions League.
Many thought Arsenal would also crumble in their two Easter Premier League encounters but a Thierry Henry hat trick against Liverpool put his side firmly back on course.
Arsenal were helped when Chelsea could only manage a goalless draw at home to Middles brough on Saturday, which meant the north Londoners's draw at Newcastle extended their lead to seven points. Manchester United came from behind to beat Birmingham City 2-1 but remained 13 points adrift of Arsenal and six behind Chelsea.
Andrea Pirlo converted an 86th-minute penalty to give Milan a 1-0 victory over lowly Empoli to stay nine points clear of second-placed AS Roma, who beat Chievo 3-1.
After their humiliating 4-0 Champions League defeat by Deportivo Coruna on Wednesday, having gone into the game with a 4-1 advantage, Milan knew they could not afford another slip up if they were to keep on track for their 17th 'scudetto'.
Carlo Ancelotti's side looked far from confident, however, before Jon Dahl Tomasson was ruled to have been brought down by Empoli keeper Daniele Balli and Pirlo converted the spot kick.
Strikes from John Carew, Antonio Cassano and an own goal by Andrea Barzagli gave Roma victory over Chievo while third-placed Juventus left it late before David Trezeguet secured a 1-0 win over Lazio.
Olympique Lyon made up for their Champions League disappointment, the French champions were knocked out by Porto on Wednesday, by regaining top spot in Ligue 1 with a 1-0 triumph at Racing Strasbourg.
Lyon took over from Monaco, who were unable to match the form showed against Real in the Champions League as they were held to a 0-0 draw at RC Lens. Werder Bremen needed a late penalty from Valerien Ismael to clinch a 1-0 win at struggling Eintracht Frankfurt and hold on to their seven-point Bundesliga lead. Champions Bayern Munich stayed second with a 2-1 victory over Schalke 04. -Reuters
