Ronaldo on a high

Cristiano Ronaldo, who missed the derby with City due to injury in the Premier League, scored a hattrick, 14 years after his first treble for the Red Devils. In the process, the 37yearold now holds the record for most goals scored in the history of th

Manchester United bounced back from a humiliating derby defeat to neighbour City with a thrilling 32 win over topfour rival Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in the weekend. Cristiano Ronaldo, who missed the derby due to injury, scored a hattrick, 14 years after his first treble for the Red Devils. In the process, the 37yearold now holds the record for most goals scored in the history of the sport.

Arsenal returned to the topfour with a comfortable 20 win over Leicester City, making it its fifth straight victory on the trot, as it remains on course for a Champions League place. The United Kingdom government’s sanctions on owner Roman Abramovich may have put the sale of the club on hold, among other complications off the field, but the Blues are continuing to deliver on the pitch. Kai Havertz scored two goals and an assist in the wins over Norwich City and Newcastle United.

Liverpool maintained the pressure on the champion and current leader Manchester City with routine victories over West Ham United and Brighton and Hove Albion. Everton is in danger of being relegated from the top division for the first time since 195051 as its form continues to plunge. A fourth straight loss under Frank Lampard left it 17th and level on points with relegationplaced Watford.

La Liga

Joao Felix’s three goals in two matches gave fourthplaced Atletico Madrid victories over Real Betis and Cadiz. Felix, the club’s recordsigning from 201920, seems to be finally nailing his place as the team’s central figure in attack and is backing it up with

goals, too. Barcelona may not be firing on all cylinders in Europe, but it is hitting the right notes in La Liga under Xavi Hernandez. Januarysigning Ferran Torres scored his first set of goals in the league during the wins over Elche and Osasuna as Barca remained ahead of Atletico in third on goal difference.

Real Madrid continues its run at the top of the table with a sevenpoint lead and a game in hand. Striker Karim Benzema became the club’s third alltime goalscorer during the course of the week, overtaking Alfredo di Stefano.

Bundesliga

Leader Bayern Munich went two successive games without a win after draws to Bayer Leverkusen and Hoffenheim. Bayern maintained an incredible record, however, in the process, by scoring in its last 73 Bundesliga games. It still enjoys a sevenpoint lead over secondplaced Borussia Dortmund, which has played a game less.

Marius Wolf scored the solitary goal in Dortmund’s victory over 15thplaced Arminia. Striker Erling Haaland made his return to action after being sidelined for close to two months with an adductor injury.

Thirdplaced Leverkusen suffered a defeat to Koln, while fourthplaced RB Leipzig thrashed bottomplaced Furth 61. Christopher Nkunku continued his fine form in front of goal taking his tally to eight strikes in six matches in the league.

Serie A

AC Milan registered successive 10 wins over Napoli and Empoli thanks to goals from Oliver Giroud and Pierre Kalulu, which kept the side top of the table. Milan holds a threepoint lead over Napoli and four over Inter Milan, which has played a game less.

Inter salvaged a point in a 11 draw away to Torino after a stoppagetime goal from Alexis Sanchez. Alvaro Morata scored in Juventus’ 10 win over Spezia to maintain its good form. Topfour challengers Atalanta lost ground in the race with a defeat and a draw to AS Roma and Genoa.

Ligue 1

There were extraordinary scenes at the Parc des Princes as Paris Saintgermain faced a hostile reception from its own home fans during the 30 win over Bordeaux. Coming on the back of a humiliating exit in the Champions League roundof16 in midweek, star players Lionel Messi and Neymar, who got on the scoresheet, saw their every touch booed by the supporters.

PSG is well on course for a recordtying 10th Ligue 1 title with a 15point lead at the top after 28 matches. However, doubts remain if head coach Mauricio Pochettino will see out the rest of the season.

Marseille, Nice and Rennes complete the rest of the top four.

AFP On top: Manchester United’s Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring his and his side’s third goal in the English Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in Manchester.

REUTERS Hostile reception: Coming on the back of a humiliating exit in the Champions League roundof16 in midweek, Paris St. Germain star players Lionel Messi (in foreground) and Neymar, who got on the scoresheet in the 30 win over Bordeaux, saw their every touch booed by the supporters.