Manchester City stayed five points clear in the English Premier League title race while Real Madrid opened-up a six-point lead over Barcelona in Spain.
However, European action was overshadowed by the shock suicide of Wales national team boss Gary Speed.
England
Manchester City are five points clear after a 1-1 draw at Liverpool as British football mourned the death of Gary Speed. City grabbed the lead at Anfield after the halfhour mark when captain Vincent Kompany glanced in a header from a David Silva corner.
But just two minutes later Liverpool were level when Charlie Adam’s shot took a huge deflection off City defender Joleon Lescott for an own-goal.
City were reduced to 10 men when striker Mario Balotelli was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Earlier in the day, news broke of the death of 42-year-old Speed who was found hanged at his Cheshire home in north-west England.
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish withdrew Craig Bellamy, the Wales striker and a close friend of Speed’s, from his squad before kick-off.
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On Saturday, Manchester United were denied the chance to keep the pressure on City as Demba Ba’s controversial penalty gave 10-man Newcastle a 1-1 draw.
Javier Hernandez opened the scoring early in the second half at Old Trafford, but Ba equalised 15 minutes later.
Chelsea got back on track with a comfortable 3-0 win against toothless Wolves; third-placed Tottenham enjoyed a 3-1 win at West Bromwich Albion while Arsenal drew 1-1 against Fulham.
Spain
Barcelona crashed to a shock 1-0 defeat at Getafe and now trail Real Madrid — who came from a goal down to beat nine-man derby rivals Atletico Madrid 4-1 — by six points.
It was the first defeat of the season for the reigning Spanish and European champions as Getafe grabbed the three points thanks to a second-half header from Juan Valera.
Real beat a robust Atletico with the game turning on the first half dismissal of keeper Thibaut Courtois and a penalty converted by Cristiano Ronaldo. Atletico put their rivals on the back foot with an Adrian Lopez goal on 14 minutes.
