The Corner: Chelsea outsmart Man City at the Etihad

The Corner: Chelsea outsmart Man City at the Etihad
By Euronews
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We begin this week’s edition of ‘The Corner’ in England and Monday night’s clash between Manchester City and Chelsea, the best attack against the best defense in this season’s Premier League.

Branislav Ivanovic’s 32nd minute goal helped Chelsea to a 1-0 win over City’s and halt their rival’s unbeaten run at 12 games. It was also the first time previously rampant City have failed to score at home this season.

Jose Mourinho’s Londoners have become somewhat of a dark horse for the Citizens this term after also beating them in the first fixture earlier in the season.

Ivanovic struck the winner when Ramires’ effort was blocked by Vincent Kompany and fell for the Serbian right back, who let fly first time from the edge of the box and saw his powerful left-foot shot nestle in the far corner.

Ivanovic’s goal against Manchester City

City had chances to equalise but a dangerous Chelsea side, who also hit the woodwork three times, were always a threat on the break in an absorbing contest at the Etihad stadium.

On Sunday Arsenal enjoyed their 17th win of the campaign.

Fit-again Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored twice on his first Premier League start since August following a knee injury to help the Gunners sink Crystal Palace at the Emirates.

It was a stubborn performance by the Eagles but in the end Wenger’s team proved too strong. with a double to help beat Crystal Palace.

Thanks to Chelsea’s win the Gunners top the table while Chelsea join Manuel Pellegrini’s Man City on 53 points two adrift of the leaders.

Arsenal’s goals against Crystal Palace

Bayern Munich continue march towards title

In Germany, Bayern Munich continue to fly high in the Bundesliga.

The Bavarian’s celebrated a crushing victory over Eintracht Frankfurt after what happened at the Allianz Arena.

There was a sense of inevitability about the outcome when Mario Goetze put Bayern ahead with a delightful finish on 12 minutes.

Last season’s treble winners had to wait until the 44th for their second.

Franck Ribery drilling home his seventh league goal of the campaign on the rebound after Mario Mandzukic’s headed effort was blocked.

Dutch international Arjen Robben turned in Goetze’s pass in the 67th minute to make it three and put the game beyond the visitors reach.

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But the reigning champs refused to take their foot off the pedal and two minutes later Dante headed the fourth from a Ribery cross.

Croatian forward Mandzukic capped off a stunning display of firepower from Bayern when he buried home his 11th goal of the season to complete the 5-0 rout.

Mandzukic’s great solo goal against Eintracht Franckfurt

Unbeaten in 44 league games, Bayern continue their march towards the title. They have 53 points, 13 clear of Bayer Leverkusen, who were 2-1 winners against Stuttgart.

Atletico go top in Spain

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In Spain’s La Liga the war rages on between the top three clubs.

Barcelona had their 25-match winning streak halted at the Camp Nou.

Valencia took on the role of party poopers with a 3-2 win against the Spanish Champions.

Paco Alcacer hit the winner to seal Barcelona’s first home league defeat since April 2012 – it also knocked them off the top of the table for the first time this campaign.

On Sunday Atletico Madrid took full advantage with a stunning 4-0 win over Real Sociedad.

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David Villa, Diego Costa, Miranda and Diego turned out to be the heroes of the night for Atletico at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.

The goals vs Real Sociedad that put Atletico top of La Liga

Later in the day, Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid missed the chance to overtake Barca in second.

Jese gave Athletic Bilbao the lead on his full league debut.

Real substitute Ibai Gomez equalised eight minutes later before Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off at the end of a fiery encounter.

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Atletico lead the league outright for the first time since their double-winning season 17 years ago – they are three points clear of both Barca and Real.

Ajax slip up as Twente move closer to summit

In the Netherlands Belgian Steve De Ridder helped slow down leaders Ajax.

Ajax had won eight games on the trot heading into this encounter, but Frank de Boer’s men came unstuck against an Utrecht side who had lost their previous four encounters.

Dutch international Daley Blind put Ajax ahead first before Steve de Ridder celebrated his eighth goal of the campaign – a goal that earned his side a much needed share of the spoils.

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With Vitesse Arnhem’s draw in Rotterdam, reigning champs Ajax missed the chance to distance themselves further at the top.

Instead Vitesse still trail Ajax by two points, but Twente are now closing in two points further back and with a game in hand.

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