Football: Karim Benzema goal keeps Real Madrid in the race

Atletico Madrid's hopes of a lucrative place in the Champions League next season were dealt a blow when they were beaten 1-0 at struggling Sporting Gijon in La Liga yesterday.

The defeat leaves Atletico seven points behind fifth-placed Espanyol, who were 3-1 winners at Getafe. Barcelona won their 14th successive league match on Saturday when they beat Racing Santander 3-0.

Udinese win takes wind out of Inter's sails

Champions Inter Milan, desperate to make up ground after a poor start to the Serie A season, suffered their first defeat in six games under new coach Leonardo when they lost 3-1 at in-form Udinese yesterday.

A 2-0 win for title-chasing Napoli at bottom side Bari made the day much worse for fifth-placed Inter, who still have a game in hand but risked slipping nine points behind leaders AC Milan, who were due to play Cesena at the San Siro Stadium in last night's late match.

Ballack revels in return as Leverkusen move up

BAYER Leverkusen won 3-1 at Borussia Moenchengladbach with two goals from Gonzalo Castro yesterday to move into second place in the Bundesliga and cut Borussia Dortmund's lead at the top to 11 points.

Leverkusen's win also marked the return to action of Germany captain Michael Ballack as a second-half substitute, after missing four months with a shinbone injury. "It was a fantastic feeling to be on the pitch again," said the 34-year-old.

PSV hold on to top slot in Eredivisie with victory

PSV Eindhoven enjoyed a one-sided 3-0 victory over strugglers VVV-Venlo to maintain their slender advantage at the top of the Eredivisie. Wilfred Bouma and Jeremain Lens gave the visitors an interval lead before Atiba Hutchinson put the result beyond doubt at the start of the second half.

Marc Janko's brace helped FC Twente come from behind and remain a point behind PSV with a 2-1 win at FC Groningen. Roda JC kept up their push for a top-four finish with a routine 3-0 win over struggling Excelsior.

Routledge marks QPR return with winner

Wayne Routledge marked his second QPR debut with a goal as the npower Championship leaders came from behind to sink Coventry 2-1. This time last year, the winger left Loftus Road for Newcastle and helped guide the Magpies to promotion and the title. He looks eager to repeat the trick having rejoined Rangers on loan and got off to the perfect start by hitting the winner against the Sky Blues. Adel Taarabt had earlier added another dazzling solo effort to his growing collection to cancel out a shock opener from Coventry's Marlon King.