Weekend World Football round up: Gunners backfire in North-West as United breeze past Chelsea. Barcelona, Bayern & Napoli all record wins.

Arsenal's problems in defence were highlighted again this weekend at Ewood Park as the former Highbury Club went down 4-3 at the hands of Blackburn Rovers. Two own goals from Alex Song and Laurent Koscielny plus a Yakubu brace left the Gunners reeling as they slipped to 17^th place in the Barclay’s Premier League.

Ironically, all three promoted BPL sides enjoyed fantastic victories over WBA, Wolves and Bolton Wanderers.

Queen’s Park Rangers arguably had the most successful Saturday afternoon as they stormed to an exceptional 3-0 win away at Molineux. Goals from Joey Barton, Alejandro Faurlin and DJ Campbell handed the Hoops a notable three points.

Manchester United made headway over Manchester City after a convincing win at Old Trafford. The Red Devils strolled effortlessly past Chelsea and into a two point lead at the top of the BPL. Fernando Torres scored the Blue's solitary goal but also missed an extraordinary chance in the 82^nd minute that could have handed his Team a much needed life-line.

Liverpool sank to their second consecutive defeat in North London. The Merseysider’s drowned in front of their traveling supporters after a wonderful strike from Luka Modric inside the 20th minute. Jermain Defoe added to Tottenham’s lead with a sublime finish and new boy Adebayor struck twice in a 
4-0 win.

In Spain, Real Madrid slumped to a shock 1-0 defeat away at modest Levante on Sunday whilst rivals Barcelona didn’t endure the same problems as they dismantled Osasuna finding the net a gigantic 8 times.

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Bayern Munich recorded a 2-0 win against Schalke which catapulted them into first place in the German Bundesliga on Sunday, while champions Borussia Dortmund were subjected to a second straight defeat as they lost 2-1 at Hanover.

In Italy, Edinson Cavani bagged a hat trick to help Napoli beat defending champions AC Milan 3-1 on Sunday. Alberto Aquilani gave Milan the lead in the 11th minute but the lead was short-lived with Napoli replying with impressive strikes in the 13th, 36th and 51st minute at the San Paolo stadium.

After losing their last three games, Zeta scored three against Lovćen in Montenegro’s 1st League.

Umm Salal couldn’t find a way past Al Rayyan; both Teams drew 1-1 in the Stars League, Qatar.

And finally… in Romania, Astra Ploieşti saw off Gaz Metan Medias with a brilliant performance that leaves them in 6^th place - one position behind Universitatea Cluj in LIGA I.

Adam Partington