Spanish Primera Liga Review

Reigning champions Barcelona and surprise packages Levante make an unlikely couple at the top of the Primera Division standings following round six of the season, while Gonzalo Higuain struck a hat-trick as Real Madrid thrashed Espanyol.

Barca took over top spot after an early goal from Adriano saw Pep Guardiola's side claim a scrappy 1-0 win at bottom club Sporting Gijon, but they find themselves level on 14 points with unfancied Levante.

Levante made it fours wins on the trot after a first-half effort from Juanlu saw them record a 1-0 away victory over Real Betis, who have now lost back-to-back matches after starting the season with four successive victories.

Madrid put behind them disappointing results at Levante and Racing Santander in their last two away matches with a 4-0 mauling of Espanyol.

Higuain, who has largely had to make do with bench duty so far this season, gave Madrid manager Jose Mourinho a firm reminder of his goalscoring prowess with a treble.

The Argentinian grabbed the first of the game after 17 minutes and added two more in the second half, with former Espanyol midfielder Jose Callejon also scoring against his old team-mates after coming off the bench.

Three points take Real to third in the Primera Division table with their fourth win of the campaign.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Champions League hopefuls Atletico Madrid and Sevilla shared the points in a goalless draw at the Vicente Calderon.

In the day's early kick-off, Athletic Bilbao beat local rivals Real Sociedad 2-1 thanks to a brace from star striker Fernando Llorente.

The Spain international scored in each half to earn Athletic coach Marcelo Bielsa the first victory of his reign at the sixth time of asking.

Sociedad had levelled through defender Inigo Martinez's astonishing strike from his own half but were outplayed for the majority of the encounter and had no answer after Llorente's second as Athletic claimed the Basque derby at the Estadio Anoeta.

On Saturday, a stunning late rally from Malaga saw the Andalusian side defeat Getafe 3-2.

Getafe led 2-1 in the 88th minute courtesy of goals from Pedro Leon and substitute Nicolas Fedor Miku, either side of Ruud van Nistelrooy's equalizer.

But Enzo Maresca tapped in a scruffy equalizer, before Julio Baptista won it with a stunning overhead kick.

Valencia got back to winning ways but failed to kill off Granada as their goalscoring troubles surfaced once more in a 1-0 win.

Sergio Canales' fine early goal was sufficient to seal victory, though forwards Roberto Soldado and Jonas Goncalves wasted a hatful of chances to extend the lead.

And they should have been made to pay by Carlos Martins late on, while Inigo Lopez hit the bar as Granada improved in the second period.

Villarreal's disappointing start to the season continued as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by 10-man Real Zaragoza, although it could have been worse for the Yellow Submarine as they needed a late equalizer to avoid defeat.

The visitors twice took the lead at El Madrigal, Luis Garcia opening the scoring in the 34th minute and then Pablo Barrera restoring their advantage on the stroke of half-time after Giuseppe Rossi had equalized for Villarreal.

It remained that way heading into the final 11 minutes, but the dismissal of Zaragoza defender Maurizio Lanzaro gave Villarreal a boost and substitute Hernan Perez salvaged a point with an 83rd-minute leveller.

Adrian scored Racing Santander's first goal since the opening weekend of the season to claim a 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano.

The former Getafe midfielder was brought on at half-time to replace Alexandros Tziolis and made almost an immediate impact as he slid in to divert Oscar Serrano's cross into the net.

Rayo had taken the lead in the first-half through Raul Tamudo, who took advantage of a slip by Bernardo in the home defence to run through and cleverly lob Tono Ramirez from a narrow angle.

Both sides had chances to win the match but Michu's header came back off the bar for the visitors and Adrian should have won it in the final minute - but he shot straight at Dani Gimenez.

Raul Garcia and Tomer Hemed both scored twice as Osasuna and 10-man Real Mallorca shared the points in an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Reyno de Navarra stadium.

Hemed scored his first-ever goal for the visitors from a penalty on 34 minutes after Miguel Flano had felled the Israeli just inside the area.

Garcia then headed the hosts level in first-half injury-time when he was left unmarked inside the six-yard box from Alvaro Cejudo's corner and he repeated the trick 15 minutes into the second period as he again met a Cejudo corner to flick a header past Dudu Aouate.

Mallorca were reduced to 10 men in the 72nd minute as Emilio Nsue was shown a straight red card for kicking out at Roland Lamah, but they were given a second penalty only minutes later as Lamah appeared to clip the heels of Alejandro Alfaro and Hemed stepped up again to claim a point for his side.

Italian Serie-A Weekly Review

Juventus and Udinese moved back into a share of top spot in Serie A after posting impressive wins on Sunday.

Udinese held the leadership outright for a few hours following their 2-0 win over Bologna in the afternoon but they were joined once again by Juve, who beat AC Milan 2-0 in the late kick-off.

Juve's bid to register a third win from five league games appeared to be floundering with the game 0-0 after 85 minutes but midfielder Claudio Marchisio popped up with a late brace to sink the struggling Rossoneri.

In between the goals, Milan had Kevin-Prince Boateng sent off after he collected a second yellow card for clipping Giorgio Chiellini in the face with his arm.

Udinese had a more straightforward victory.

Medhi Benatia opened the scoring in the 29th minute and Antonio Di Natale added a second from the penalty spot 18 minutes from time.

Palermo and Cagliari joined Napoli - 3-0 winners at Inter Milan on Saturday night - on 10 points, one adrift of top spot.

Giulio Migliaccio's first goal of the season and an injury-time Abel Hernandez penalty helped Palermo continue their impressive home form with a 2-0 win over Siena.

Long-serving midfielder Migliaccio set Palermo on their way, opening the scoring in the 19th minute, and, despite Devis Mangia's side being reduced to 10 men in the 55th minute when Federico Balzaretti was sent off, the hosts kept hold of their lead before Hernandez sealed the win from the spot late on.

Palermo are unbeaten at the Stadio Renza Barbara since May 22.

Two first-half goals allowed Cagliari to somehow snatch a 2-0 victory over Lecce at Via del Mare.

Thiago Ribeiro put the visitors ahead 10 minutes in and, after Lecce went close to an equaliser on several occasions, Davide Biondini made it 2-0 before the interval.

The hosts continued to press for the remainder of the game but were unable to find a way past goalkeeper Michael Agazzi.

Miroslav Klose grabbed a late winner to hand Lazio an impressive 2-1 victory at Fiorentina.

Fiorentina took an eighth-minute lead through Alessio Cerci but Hernanes equalised before the half-hour mark and although Fiorentina looked the most likely to snatch all three points, it was Germany international Klose who headed in the winner with seven minutes remaining.

Cesena picked up their first point of the season with a 0-0 draw at home to Chievo but should have claimed a victory.

The hosts went into the contest at the Dino Manuzzi stadium with nothing to show for their efforts from the first four games of the season but could have taken the lead when they were awarded a penalty in the second half.

However, Adrian Mutu saw his effort saved by Chievo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino as the contest finished goalless.

Sebastian Giovinco inspired Parma to only their second win of the season to lift them out of the relegation zone as they beat Genoa 3-1.

The Italy international scored two and created the third against an off-colour Genoa, who slumped to their second straight defeat.

Giovinco scored his first in the 29th minute before adding a second from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute.

He then turned provider for the third goal, scored by captain Stefano Morrone in the 50th minute.

Rodrigo Palacio scored a consolation for Genoa with the final kick of the game from the penalty spot.

Alejandro Gomez's stoppage-time equalizer earned Catania a dramatic 3-3 draw against Novara at the Stadio Silvio Piola.

The hosts twice came from behind to get back on level terms, Marcio Rigoni's penalty cancelling out Nicola Legrottaglie's 14th-minute opener and Takayuki Morimoto equalizing again after Francesco Lodi had restored Catania's advantage.

Promoted Novara then went in front for the first time in the 85th minute through substitute Jeda, only for Gomez to snatch a draw for the visitors in the first minute of added time.

On Saturday, Napoli moved temporarily to the top of the table with a convincing win at Inter Milan, ending Claudio Ranieri's winning start to life as manager of the Nerazzurri .

Walter Mazzarri's side laid out their title credentials in style with a 3-0 success at the San Siro.

A red card for Joel Obi and a dubious penalty decision in the 43rd minute helped Napoli on their way - although Marek Hamsik missed the penalty, Hugo Campagnaro converted the rebound.

Further goals from Christian Maggio and Hamsik in the second half earned Napoli all three points.

In Saturday's other game, Roma won their second game in a row, beating Atalanta 3-1 at the Stadio Olimpico to end the Bergamo side's unbeaten start to the campaign.

Bojan Krkic opened his account for the Giallorossi in the 20th minute before Pablo Osvaldo added a second after half an hour.

German Denis opened the game up with a goal in the 48th minute, but Fabio Simplicio settled Roma's nerves with the winner nine minutes from the end.

Man United Set For Tempting £25m Inter Milan Swap Offer

New Inter Milan boss Claudio Ranieri is ready to offer Man United the services of playmaker Wesley Sneijder as the new San Siro boss attempts to reignite Sir Alex Ferguson’s interest in the Dutchman. In return the Nerazzurri boss will ask for winger Nani in a straight swap deal that may well tempt the Premier League champions.

Moves to bring Sneijder to Old Trafford in the summer were said to have reached a fairly advanced stage with chief executive David Gill in talks with the Italian giants but a deal was not sealed before the transfer window slammed shut and moves to complete the deal either in January or next summer are very plausible and now the Serie A side want to make an offer to keep such a deal alive.

Inter Milan have had a horrid start to their current campaign and this resulted in the sacking of boss Gian Piero Gasperini just weeks into the new season and newly appointed former Chelsea boss Ranieri believes that now may be the time to consider cashing in on Sneijder.

The 27 year old has not been in the best form and Ranieri is keen to offload the former Ajax and Real Madrid man in return for Man United winger Nani. The Portuguese international found himself out of the first team picture towards the end of last season, despite being the Premier League’s leading assist maker but has been an ever present this term notching up three goals and three assists already.

However given the impact Ashley Young has made since his arrival from Aston Villa and the fact that Ferguson has Luis Antonio Valencia to use on the right flank perhaps the offer of Sneijder in return could lead the Scot to consider losing the former Sporting Lisbon man.

It was widely reported that a big factor in the collapse of any summer move to sign Wesley Sneijder were the Dutch international’s wage demands which the Inter Milan man would have to consider reducing to seal such a move and a lot could also depend on the continued good form shown by the likes of Tom Cleverley which could negate the need to bring in another ‘marquee’ signing.

That said Sneijder is considered to be one of the best playmakers in European football and the form he showed during Inter Milan’s treble winning campaign would lead many to assume that Sir Alex Ferguson could still be interested in completing a deal to Utrecht born attacking midfielder.

Arsenal Plot £34m Double Ajax Raid

Arsene Wenger is reportedly readying a January bid to sign Ajax pair Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen as he looks to further strengthen his Emirates Stadium squad after a very poor start to the Premier League campaign.

Both Ajax players have been long term targets of the Gunners boss and Wenger will look to make substantial offers to lure the duo to North London.

Despite bringing in Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen it appears that Arsenal’s defence is still very much in need of added solidity and Wenger hopes that the addition of Belgian international Vertonghen can help fulfill just such a role. The 24 year old Ajax captain has formed a national team pairing with Thomas Vermaelen and the French manager will be looking to the powerfully built centre back to steady things at the back.

Though Arsenal have suffered with injury concerns with a number of their defensive options there is growing speculation that French duo Sebastien Squillaci and Laurent Koscielny will be made available for transfer as neither have adapted well to life in the English top tier and the jury is seemingly still out on Swiss centre back Johan Djourou.

Wenger will also look to persuade Danish international starlet Christian Eriksen to move to Arsenal. The teenager had a standout campaign last term during which the attacking midfielder notched up over 45 appearances in all competitions and help Ajax to the Dutch title.

The 19 year old is being touted by a number of Europe’s elite but Wenger’s reputation for trusting to youth may help Arsenal win the race for a player who may well see his future as being best served outside the Dutch Eredivisie.

The pair are valued in the region of a combined fee of €40m (£34.3m) and this is a price Wenger is willing to pay and given that Arsenal sold players to the tune of over £70m over the summer (whilst spending around £48m on new signings) the Gunners manager will be hopeful the club’s board is ready to offer him the funds to make a significant offer.

Whilst both players will of course be cup tied when it comes to Champions League football it seems that such has been the disastrous start to the season that the main prize to secure would be another top four finish.

Real Madrid Consider Swap Deal For Manchester City Misfit

Spanish giants Real Madrid are considering a player plus cash swap for Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez who according to the City manager Roberto Mancini, is “finished” at the club.

With City at the end of their tether for the wantaway Argentine, who was reported to have refused to play against Bayern Munich in their recent Champions League defeat, they are now prepared to listen to very much any serious offer in January with Real Madrid considering a small cash sum plus defensive midfielder and Germany international Sami Khedira.

The 24 year old is rumoured to a player that Madrid could be prepared to sell on in January and it is believed they would rather use him in exchange for Tevez than stomp up a larger transfer fee. The summer saw Manchester City looking for at least £40m for Tevez with both Real Madrid and Italian side Inter Milan interested.

Neither were prepared to match City’s estimation however and with the Manchester club now looking to get rid of Tevez as quickly as possible, it is likely they will accept something closer to £25m for the 27 year old. The player had previously suggested over the summer that he would prefer to head back to his native Argentina but with few sides in South America able to pay his wages, let alone the transfer fee, a move to either Spain or Italy does seem more realistic.

Should Manchester City and Real Madrid agree to a switch then there is likely to be more pressure on Real’s strikers with the club already having Benzema and Higuain on their books.

Although it is far too early to confirm a move to the Spanish capital will happen, it is certainly the most likely scenario for a player who no longer looks to be wanted in the English Premiership.

Barcelona Boss Keen On Luring Another Arsenal Star To The Nou Camp

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola is reportedly keen on young Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny and may attempt to lure the Polish international to the Nou Camp as a possible challenger to long term custodian Victor Valdes.

Guardiola has reportedly been greatly impressed by the maturity and talent shown by the young Polish international and is monitoring the 21 year old’s progress ahead of a possible bid next summer. Barcelona’s current number one Valdes has barely missed a game over the past 9 seasons and the club’s number two goalie, veteran Jose Maria Pinto, has barely had a look in.

Whilst Valdes is considered one of the most consistent performers in his position in Europe, Guardiola is still keen to bring in a long term successor and a player who can keep the Spanish international on his toes.

Arsene Wenger will be keen to avoid Barcelona luring Szczesny away from North London as the former Legia youth team player has been in fine form since becoming a regular in the Gunners first team picture in January and has manfully taken over from the fumbling Manuel Almunia and inconsistent countryman Lukasz Fabianski.

Arsenal have wisely tied their young goalkeeper to a long term contract that runs until the summer of 2015 but that may not prevent Barcelona from expressing their interest in Szczesny.

Valencia Re-Ignite Interest In Manchester United Striker

Spanish side Valencia is ready to re-ignite interest in Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov who has this season fallen down the Old Trafford pecking order.

The forward was the subject of enquiries from Valencia and PSG during the summer. However Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson decided to stick with the Bulgarian who was last season’s top goal scorer for the record breaking club as they went on to win their 19th title.

However, with the emerging partnership of Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez, plus the goal scoring antics of former Sunderland loanee Danny Welbeck, Berbatov has found little playing time. An issue for Valencia though will be the 30 year old becoming cup tied in the Champions League.

Manchester United very rarely do any business in January unless Sir Alex Ferguson feels some of his youngsters will benefit where he occasionally decides to send them out on loan. A bid from Valencia would be unlikely should they progress to the knock out stages from Group E with Berbatov cup tied but should they go out, further enquiries will be much more serious and an offer to Manchester United for the aging striker could be enough to tempt them into a sale.

The player himself has recently stated though that moving anywhere from Manchester United would be a “step down”.

Neven Subotic Linked With Napoli Move

Napoli is the latest in a long list of clubs to be linked with Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic.

According to Itasportpress.it, the 22-year-old Serbia international, who was dropped but later defended by coach Jurgen Klopp following their 4-0 Bundesliga win over Augsburg, is wanted in Italy.

Last month Subotic said he was happy in Dortmund, and made clear he would only leave for a top European side.

Chelsea, Roma, Juventus and AC Milan have all been linked with the stopper.

But, if reports are to be believed, Napoli has joined the race to sign him in January.

Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis will dig deep to strengthen, especially if Napoli get through their Champions League group, which they are contesting with Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Villarreal.

However, Dortmund are said to be looking for at least €20 million for their man if he becomes available for sale.

Subotic joined the Bundesliga champions from Mainz in 2008 and he has a contract there until 2014.

Ryad Boudebouz Targeted By Arsenal

Sochaux midfielder Ryad Boudebouz has emerged as a January transfer target for Arsenal, as Arsene Wenger looks to strengthen his squad.

The Gunners boss has been told he will have money to spend in the new year and is keen to bring in another creative player, as Jack Wilshere is likely to be sidelined until March by an ankle injury.

Wenger has been linked with Hertha Berlin's Raffael and Werder Bremen's Marko Marin, but is apparently also keen on Boudebouz.

Arsenal officials have already made an initial enquiry about the Algeria international's availability and to find out whether he would be interested in moving to London, reports the People.

Sochaux value the 21-year-old at around £6million, putting him well within the Gunners' price range.

Should the French club indicate they are willing to sell the attacking midfielder, Arsenal are likely to face competition from several Premier League rivals, as both Liverpool and Newcastle United expressed an interest in him over the summer.