There were table-topping clashes in Italy [Images] and England [Images] over the weekend, with Inter Milan winning at Palermo, and Manchester United [Images] and Chelsea drawing 1-1 in the Premier League.

ENGLAND

The eagerly-awaited top-of-the table clash between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford ended rather predictably as a 1-1 draw to leave United still three points clear.

United were the better side in the first half and went ahead through Louis Saha but a more determined second-half display from the champions earned a point through Ricardo Carvalho's header.

Bolton Wanderers moved up to third, 11 points off the pace, with a 3-1 win over Arsenal [Images], whose title hopes have all but disappeared as they now trail United by 13 points, albeit with a game in hand.

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FRANCE [Images]

Olympique Lyon moved 14 points clear after a 1-0 win over Auxerre as Lille and Racing Lens were held to 1-1 draws by Monaco and Le Mans respectively.

France midfielder Florent Malouda headed the only goal from a Juninho free kick midway through the first half to take Lyon to 40 points.

Lille, Lens and Sochaux, 3-1 winners at Lorient, have 26.

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ITALY

Inter Milan won the table-topping clash with Palermo 2-1 to extend their lead to four points.

Patrick Vieira's first goal for the club ater 61 minutes followed first-half strikes by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Palermo striker Amauri.

The result left Inter on 33 points with Palermo down to third on 27.

AS Roma moved up to second on 29 after winning 4-2 at Sampdoria.

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GERMANY [Images]

First-half goals by Brazilian defender Rafinha and Danish striker Peter Lovenkrands gave Schalke a 2-0 home win over Vfl Bochum and kept them at the top of the Bundesliga.

Schalke have 29 points, two clear of Werder Bremen and VfB Stuttgart. Bremen beat Arminia Bielefeld 3-0 and Stuttgart edged Borussia Moenchengladbach 1-0.

Bayern Munich are fourth on 26 after coming from behind to win 2-1 at Hamburg SV.

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SPAIN

Barcelona kept up their impressive form with a 4-0 thrashing of Villarreal, Ronaldinho [Images] scoring twice, including an overhead kick to complete the rout.

Early goals from Luis Fabiano and Jose Luis Marti set Sevilla on the way to a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao. A goal from captain Raul gave Real a 1-0 triumph at Valencia.

Barcelona have 29 points, Sevilla 28 and Real 26. Real Zaragoza lost ground in fourth on 23 when they drew 1-1 at Celta Vigo.

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