KEY POINTS:
Spain
Barcelona retained top spot and showed signs of regaining the form that has won them back-to-back league titles with a 3-1 home win over Celta Vigo.
Sevilla are a point behind in second after a 4-2 win at Levante earned them their first league victory of 2007.
Real Madrid stayed third but slipped four points behind Barca after losing 1-0 at Villarreal. They are two ahead of Valencia, who fell 2-1 away at a resurgent Real Betis.
Italy
Inter Milan's grip on the title race showed no sign of relaxing as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Douglas Maicon scored in a 2-0 win over Sampdoria to maintain an 11-point lead.
After draws with Messina and Livorno, second-placed AS Roma put their pursuit of Inter back on track with a 1-0 win over Siena as Serbian striker Mirko Vucinic got the winner.
Germany
Werder Bremen reclaimed top spot with a 3-0 win at home to Hanover 96 as Thomas Schaaf's side responded to the pressure on them after Schalke 04's win against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Werder now have 39 points after 18 games to lead Schalke on goal difference following their 3-1 win at Frankfurt.
Bayern Munich trail by six points in third place after returning from the long winter break with a costly 3-2 defeat at Borussia Dortmund.
France
Lowly Nice fought bravely to hold Olympique Lyon to a 1-1 draw at Gerland stadium and deny the Ligue 1 leaders, who were on a two-match losing streak, their first league win of 2007.
Lille moved within 13 points of Lyon with a 1-0 victory at Girondins Bordeaux.
Netherlands
Roda JC Kerkrade's Jan-Paul Saeijs and Andres Oper wrapped up a 2-0 over PSV Eindhoven to end the leaders' 19-match unbeaten run.
PSV stay top with 56 points, eight above Ajax.
Scotland
Celtic's Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink was sent off for leaving the field to celebrate with fans after scoring a last-minute goal to give the champions a 2-1 victory at Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Celtic are top with 65 points, 19 clear of Rangers.
- REUTERS
