Eric Ten Haag’s Old Trafford revolution gathered a hefty head of steam when Manchester United subdued hard battling Newcastle United 2-0 to win the Carabao Cup. Victory gave English football’s most decorated club their first silverware in six years.
Local rivals Manchester City maintained the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal by obliterating Bournemouth 4-1, hours after Mikel Arteta’s Gunners had overcome Leicester City 1-0 to temporarily open up a five point cushion atop the standings. Tottenham Hotspur are fourth courtesy of a 2-0 victory over hapless Chelsea.
Napoli are on their way to a first Serie A title in 33 years thanks to a straight forward 2-0 victory over Empoli. Luciano Spalletti’s Partenopei are in sparkling form, having dismissed Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 earlier in the week to set one foot into the Uefa Champions League quarterfinals.
Inter Milan’s 0-1 setback at Bologna left the Nerrazzuri with the insurmountable task of bridging an 18-point deficit on the 1987 and 1990 Scudetto winners. Stefano Pioli’s AC Milan moved level with Inter on 47 points by dismissing Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta 2-0.
In Germany, Borussia Dortmund won their ninth consecutive game of 2023 by overcoming Hoffenheim 1-0 to briefly seize Bundesliga leadership, only for perennial champions Bayern Munich to recapture their position by wiping the floor with Union Berlin 3-0.
Julian Nagelmann’s ten-time defending champions lead Edin Terzic’s Black and Yellows on goal difference, with Urs Fischer’s Berliners three points off title pace. RB Leipzig moved up to fourth, a place ahead of Freiburg by taming Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1. Christian Steich ‘s Freiburg could only draw 1-1 with Bayer Leverkusen.
Across the Alsace region, Kylian Mbappe netted twice and set up Lionel Messi as Paris Saint Germain bludgeoned closest challengers Olympique Marseille at the Stade Velodrome 3-0 to open up an eight point cushion atop Ligue One. Messi’s pair of assists made him the most creative playmaker across Europe’s five major leagues.
Argentina’s World Cup winning captain’s 12 assists are one more than team mate Neymar’s and three clear of Napoli’s Kvicha Kvaratchkelia. Monaco stayed third despite suffering a 0-3 humbling at the hands of Nice while Racing Lens are fourth, level on points with the principality club following their one-all draw at Montpellier.
In Spain, Liga Santander pacesetters Barcelona succumbed to a 0-1 reverse at Almeria but are still seven points clear of reigning champions Real Madrid following Los Blancos’ 1-1’draw with Atletico Madrid in the capital city derby. Defeat was Blaugrana’s second successive setback, and came just 72 hours after Xavi Hernandez’s side were knocked out of the Europa League by Manchester United. Real Sociedad remained third inspite of their 0-1 defeat at Valencia.