Barcelona & Standard on course, Brescia on top
Although Atletico Madrid and Ajax’s chances of reigniting their respective title challenges may be slipping away, Brescia have every reason to be cheerful after their most recent performance. Meanwhile, Aston Villa and Coventry City proved once again that league position means nothing when it comes to the cup. FIFA.com brings you all the latest news from the world of women’s club football.
Spain: Atleti let nerves show
Joy and disappointment can sometimes follow close on each other’s heels. No sooner had last weekend’s slip from Barcelona brought Atletico Madrid back to within three points of the Catalan league leaders than bottom-of-the-table Sevilla took the sting out of an increasingly exciting championship title race. While Atletico were forced to accept a 1-1 draw against their Andalucian opponents, Barcelona posted a resounding 4-0 victory over Santa Teresa to rebuild a comfortable five-point cushion at the summit of the Primera Division. In the Basque derby, Athletic Bilbao – runners-up for the past three campaigns – may have breathed a sigh of relief as Nekane’s 89th-minute equaliser handed them a 1-1 stalemate against Real Sociedad, but the result increased the fourth-placed side’s winless streak to three matches.
Top three: Barcelona (48 points), Atletico Madrid (43), Valencia (40)
England: Shock for Sunderland
Although it happens time and time again, watching the underdogs prevail against their higher-ranked rivals never gets boring – and so it proved in the FA Cup third round last weekend. A spectacular volleyed goal from Emily Owen in stoppage time helped second-tier side Aston Villa beat newly promoted top-flight opponents Sunderland 2-1, avenging their two defeats at the hands of the Wearside club last season. Elsewhere, third division Coventry City sealed an impressive 3-0 victory against second-tier Oxford City. Nevertheless, not every match ended in an upset. Wales international Helen Bleazard netted a breathtaking, David Beckham-esque strike from the halfway line to help second division side Yeovil Town overcome third-tier Lewes 4-1.
France: Lyon in the slipstream
There were far fewer surprises on offer in the 17th round of matches in the Division 1 Feminine, with league leaders Paris Saint-Germain and challengers Lyon both posting 4-0 away wins against ASPTT Albi and Soyaux respectively. These results preserve the unbeaten run of defending champions Lyon, who have topped the table for the past eight consecutive seasons, and give them the opportunity to overhaul their rivals from the French capital should they win both of their games in hand. Third-placed Juvisy defeated Rodez 2-0 despite having to wait until the 65th minute to first find the back of their opponents’ net.
Top three: Paris Saint-Germain (73 points), Lyon (68), Juvisy (52)
Italy: Brescia overtake Verona
Although they are the only team in Italy’s top flight to still boast an unbeaten record this season, last weekend’s result was one draw too many for Bardolino Verona. Despite taking a 2-0 lead, an eventual 2-2 stalemate against Firenze meant the former frontrunners could do little but watch as a 2-0 win for Brescia against Cuneo Calcio took the Leonesse to the top of the table. The Lombardy side have now recorded seven consecutive victories since suffering their only defeat of the campaign so far in December – a 1-0 loss to Verona. This thrilling two-horse race looks set to continue for some time yet.
Top three: Brescia (35 points), Bardolino Verona (34), Mozzanica (29)
Belgium/Netherlands: Standard Liege march on
The title is slipping ever further out of reach for Ajax, who followed up their 2-0 defeat by defending champions FC Twente with a 1-1 home draw against a still unbeaten Anderlecht. This disappointing run of results means that the Amsterdam side now lie six points behind top-of-the-table Standard Liege, who beat ADO Den Haag 1-0 thanks to a goal from Vanity Lewerissa.