LONDON (AP) ― Manchester City rediscovered its attacking game in the English Premier League on Saturday, beating Fulham 3-0 to maintain its perfect home record and keep Manchester United at arm’s length in the title race.
City’s 12th straight league victory at Etihad Stadium left the leaders three points ahead of United, which visits fourth-place Chelsea on Sunday.
The most resounding victory came at Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal rebounded from its miserable recent run in the league by hammering Blackburn 7-1. Robin van Persie had a hat trick, raising his season goal total to 22.
Thierry Henry, on loan from New York Red Bulls, also scored for Arsene Wenger’s team, which climbed above Newcastle and Liverpool into fifth place. It is within two points of Chelsea, which holds the final Champions League qualification spot.
Sergio Aguero converted a penalty kick for his 15th league goal of the season and also set up Edin Dzeko as City battled through heavy snow that afflicted most English games.
Spain
Real Madrid maintained its seven-point lead in the Spanish league, winning 1-0 at crosstown rival Getafe on Sergio Ramos’ goal in the 18th minute with a header off Mesut Oezil’s corner kick,
Barcelona, resting about half his starters ahead of Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semifinal against Valencia, won 2-0 at home against Real Sociedad to extend its unbeaten streak in all competitions to 17 games.
Coming off three straight draws, Barcelona went ahead when Lionel Messi fed 20-year-old Cristian Tello with a through ball in the ninth minute for his first La Liga goal. Messi doubled the lead in the 72nd minute with his 37th goal of the season and 23rd in the league, one behind Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Carlos Vela scored two minutes later for Real Sociedad.
Scotland
Celtic eased into the quarterfinals of the Scottish Cup, beating Inverness 2-0 in one of four all-Premier League matches in the fifth round. Georgios Samaras opened the scoring for the holders in the 33rd minute by smashing a shot past Inverness goalkeeper Jonny Tuffey.
