overseas round-up Misery for Barcelona

Barcelona, the defending Spanish champions, were crushed 5-0 by Racing Santander, third from bottom after having their goalkeeper, Carlos Busquets, and Albert Ferrer sent off. It ended a miserable week for Johan Cruyff, the barcelona coach, who saw his side crash 4-1 to Athletico Madrid in the Spanish Cup on Tuesday.

Deportivo la Corua also stumbled in their pursuit of the league leaders, Real Madrid, losing 3-1 to Sporting Gijon. Real beat Logroes 4-1 to widen the gap to five points.

PSV Eindhoven, struggling to improve their disastrous season, secured a 3-2 win over Vitesse Arnhem to hold on to fourth place in the Dutch first division. Vitesse had taken the lead through Bart Latuheru, deputising for Glenn Helder, who is in transfer talks with Arsenal. A 4-1 win over Feyenoord gave Ajax a five-point lead at the top.

Lyon recorded a 3-1 win over Lille to reduce Nantes' lead at the top of the French First Division to five points. Nantes, who were hoping to equal a French League record by remaining unbeaten in 26 consecutive matches, had their home match against Martigues postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

A minute's silence was observed in all French stadiums for the young fan shot dead after a non-League match last weekend.