Challengers fail to spark

Feyenoord
Despite topping their UEFA Cup pool, the Rotterdam side dropped to third place in the Eredivisie on Sunday after drawing 1-1 at AFC Ajax. Dirk Kuijt scored Feyenoord's equaliser, a stunning volley, on the stroke of half-time. Midfielder Sebastián Pardo sat out the fixture with a hamstring injury, while left wing-back Ramon van Haaren is still nursing a knee problem. Brazilian winger Leonardo also has a knee injury and will return after the winter break. Feyenoord fielded their second string in the Dutch Cup in midweek and paid the price, losing on penalties to RKC Waalwijk.

Schalke
FC Schalke 04 lost their first game since Ralf Rangnick's appointment as coach in late September, as they went down 3-1 at home to Hertha BSC Berlin on Saturday. Gerald Asamoah scored for a side who were again missing Fabian Lamotte (torn ankle ligament), Mladen Krstajic (groin strain) and Darío Rodríguez (hamstring). Schalke enjoyed better fortune three days earlier in the German Cup, reaching the quarter-finals by prevailing 2-0 at second division Eintracht Frankfurt. The club have also announced that Jörg Böhme, who has played just twice this season following various disagreements, will be released in the winter break.

Basel
Despite suffering their third league loss of the season, 1-0 at lowly FC Schaffhausen on Sunday, FC Basel 1893 remain top of the Swiss top flight with 15 games gone. After David Degen put through his own net, Basel battled valiantly to level - with goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbühler even joining the attack on several occasions. Already weakened by the absence of Murat Yakin and Benjamin Huggel through injury and suspension, Christian Gross's side lost Scott Chipperfield (concussion) and Mladen Petric (knee ligament) to injuries during the match.

Ferencváros
While they were not in weekend action, Ferencváros did play in midweek, drawing 1-1 at home to Pécsi MFC. The league leaders' goal was scored by Gábor Gyepes, one of nine players of varying nationalities who have left the Üllöi úti stadium to link up with their national teams. Romanian defender Sorin Botis is suspended for the next UEFA Cup game at Schalke but coach Csaba László hopes to have everyone else fit.

Hearts
Heart of Midlothian FC followed their midweek Scottish League Cup win against Dunfermline AFC with a 1-1 draw at Kilmarnock FC. Dutch striker Mark de Vries and Spanish midfielder Ramón Pereira started on the bench but turned the match in Hearts's favour when they came on, with Dennis Wyness scoring a deserved equaliser soon after. Midfielder Phil Stamp missed out again because of a calf injury.