Real Madrid and Juventus, two of the biggest names in European soccer, surged into the lead in their respective leagues at the weekend after long weeks chasing their title rivals in Spain and Italy.
English title holders Arsenal and Bayern Munich, looking to reclaim the crown from Borussia Dortmund in Germany, continued their relentless drive towards another championship, while Monaco took a turn at the top in the French musical chairs.
Defending Serie A champions Juventus moved three points clear at the top after a convincing 3-0 victory over Inter Milan.
An own goal from Inter's Andres Guglielminpietro and a thundering Pavel Nedved strike gave Juventus a 2-0 advantage at the break and Italy international Mauro Camoranesi completed the misery for Inter when he added a third, seven minutes from time.
The result moves Juventus on to 51 points, with Inter in second place on 48 followed by AC Milan a point behind.
Milan, Juve's other main challengers, were forced to come back from three goals down to earn a 3-3 draw against Atalanta at the San Siro.
Real Madrid moved to the top of the Spanish standings on Saturday after a crushing 5-1 away win over a demoralised Alaves which featured a brilliant hat-trick from World Player of the Year Ronaldo and two trademark opportunist goals from Raul.
Real Sociedad failed to regain top spot on Sunday when they were handed a humbling 3-0 defeat by lowly Valladolid after leading the table for 18 games.
The Madrid side are now on 48 points, one more than Real Sociedad and two ahead of champions Valencia, who were held 1-1 at Celta Vigo.
EIGHT CLEAR
Arsenal went eight points clear at the top of the English premier league after a comfortable 2-0 win over Charlton Athletic at Highbury.
Francis Jeffers tapped home in the 26th minute after a fine run and pass by Thierry Henry, who also led the breakaway for Robert Pires to head Arsenal's second in first-half stoppage time.
The win hoisted Arsene Wenger's side to 63 points, eight ahead of Manchester United, who lost the League Cup final to Liverpool on Sunday, and Newcastle United, who both have 55 having played a game less.
Runaway German leaders Bayern Munich stayed 10 points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund with a 2-0 victory at Energie Cottbus on Saturday courtesy of two Michael Ballack goals.
Ballack, who has just been fined by his club for criticising coach Ottmar Hitzfeld's tactics, proved his worth with perfect timing, heading home on 33 minutes before sealing victory with a volley from inside the area in the 58th minute.
Reigning champions Dortmund won 2-0 at home to Hansa Rostock.
Striker Shabani Nonda put Monaco back on top of the French first division with a last-gasp double as they won 3-1 at lowly Lille on Saturday.
Monaco are top on goal difference with 52 points ahead of Olympique Marseille, who had to be content with a goalless draw at Racing Strasbourg after striker Lamine Sakho hit the post.
Defending champions Olympique Lyon retained some hopes of a second successive title with a convincing 2-1 victory at AJ Auxerre that keeps them in third place.
