Weekend round-up: Bayern set the standard

Bayern joy
Saturday summed up the contrasting fortunes of FC Bayern München and Leverkusen this season. Bayern, bolstered by the signings last summer of Leverkusen's Michael Ballack and Zé Roberto, won 5-0 at local rivals TSV 1860 München to ensure they remained eight points clear of champions BV Borussia Dortmund, who beat VfL Bochum 1848 4-1.

End for Toppmöller
But Leverkusen, runners-up in the 1. Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League and German Cup last term, suffered their fifth straight defeat, 2-1 at home by FC Hansa Rostock. With Leverkusen now only separated from the relegation zone by goal difference, the club took action, stating: "Because of our precarious situation, no other choice remained for us." Thomas Hörster will be in charge for this week's Champions League fixture against Newcastle United FC.

Osasuna shock
The club who ended Leverkusen's European dream at Hampden Park last May, Madrid, saw their four-month unbeaten Primera División run ended by Club Atlético Osasuna. Christian Manfredini's 37th-minute goal clinched victory for improving Osasuna, while Luis Figo was sent off for Madrid, who failed to leapfrog Real Sociedad after the leaders lost 3-2 against Real Betis Balompié.

Barcelona win
Valencia CF are level on points with second-placed Madrid after beating Málaga CF 2-0. Mauricio Pellegrino and Juan Sánchez scored the goals to keep their side clear of RC Deportivo La Coruña, for whom Roy Makaay scored his 16th goal of the campaign in a 1-0 win at Real Valladolid. Meanwhile, FC Barcelona overcame RCD Espanyol 2-0 in the Catalan derby to ease their worries.

Milan miss out
In Italy, Juventus FC's revival has taken them to the top of Serie A. Their 2-1 win at Parma AC, achieved through early goals by Marco Di Vaio and Alessio Tacchinardi, was their sixth in seven games, and took them above Internazionale FC, who were defeated 2-1 by AC Chiveo Verona. Milan had a chance to reclaim first place in Sunday's late game but slipped to third after drawing 2-2 with S.S. Lazio.

Arsenal delight
In England and France cup competitions took centre stage. The FA Cup meeting of the Premiership's leading clubs ended in a 2-0 success for Arsenal FC at Manchester United FC. Edu, with a deflected free-kick, and Sylvain Wiltord capitalised on Ryan Giggs' missed open goal to send the Gunners into the last eight, where they were joined by Chelsea FC, Leeds United AFC and Southampton FC. Top-flight Sunderland AFC were beaten 1-0 by first division Watford FC.

Lorient through
In the French Cup, holders FC Lorient reached the quarter-finals after beating Lille OSC 1-0. Relegated last season, Lorient struck through Patrice Loko two minutes from time. Another Ligue 1 club, En Avant Guingamp, lost 3-1 on penalties to AS Angoulême-Charente 92. The only league game saw FC Sochaux-Montbéliard win 1-0 at FC Nantes Atlantique.