Weekend round-up: United's championship joy

Manchester United FC, FC Porto and Club Brugge KV all clinched their national championships at the weekend. Sharing the plaudits were RCD Mallorca, who claimed an extraordinary 5-1 win at Real Madrid CF to throw the Spanish title race wide open.

Eight-point gap
United put themselves in line to secure the title on Saturday with a comprehensive 4-1 win against Charlton Athletic FC. Ruud van Nistelrooij took his club tally for the season to 43 goals with a hat-trick which moved his side eight points clear of Arsenal FC, who still had three games left.

Arsenal beaten
However, Arsenal relinquished the title the next day as they lost 3-2 against Leeds United AFC. Mark Viduka's late winner settled matters, and ensured Leeds also avoid relegation. After hearing his side were champions, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "It is the greatest achievement. I never doubt United." Elsewhere, Newcastle United FC beat Birmingham City FC to ensure a UEFA Champions League place, with Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC meeting next Sunday to decide the other berth.

Incredible result
Madrid were unbeaten in 50 home league games before Saturday, and their four-point cushion over RC Deportivo La Coruña and Real Sociedad looked safe when they led Mallorca 1-0 at half-time. But Walter Pandiani and Albert Riera scored within six minutes of the restart, and Mallorca went on to complete an incredible win. Deportivo and Real both took advantage - Roy Makaay's hat-trick inspired Deportivo to a 5-0 victory against RC Recreativo de Huelva, while Real beat Sevilla FC 1-0.

Porto celebrate
UEFA Cup finalists Porto claimed their 19th Portuguese title with a stylish 5-0 win against CD Santa Clara. Derlei's double and further goals from Maniche, Deco and Hélder Postiga took Porto 14 points clear of SL Benfica with four games left. Meanwhile, Brugge were held 1-1 at home by K. Sint Truidense VV, but already knew a point would clinch them the Belgian championship ahead of RSC Anderlecht.

One win away
Juventus FC are one win away from retaining the Serie A crown despite a 0-0 draw at fourth-placed S.S. Lazio. With three games left, they are still eight points clear of Internazionale FC, who were held 1-1 at Atalanta BC. AC Milan are only two points behind Inter ahead of their Champions League meeting after beating - and relegating - Como Calcio 2-0. Torino Calcio are also demoted after a home loss to Udinese Calcio.

Lyon ahead
Olympique Lyonnais hold a two-point lead in France's Ligue 1 following a 4-0 victory at RC Strasbourg. AS Monaco FC were level on points with the champions at the start of the weekend, but their Sunday 2-1 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain FC left them in third, just behind Olympique de Marseille, who overcame SC Bastia 2-1. FC Girondins de Bordeaux's title hopes faded after a 1-0 loss to AJ Auxerre left them seven points adrift.

Stuttgart comfortable
With FC Bayern München secure as German title-winners, focus has switched to the Champions League and relegation races. VfB Stuttgart are comfortable in second after beating Hannover 96, while BV Borussia Dortmund were held 2-2 by VfL Wolfsburg and Hertha BSC Berlin lost 4-2 at SV Werder Bremen. FC Energie Cottbus are all but relegated following a 0-0 draw with Hamburger SV, but Bayer 04 Leverkusen beat DSC Arminia Bielefeld 3-1 to give themselves hope of survival.

PSV held
The Dutch Eredivisie is still up for grabs after PSV Eindhoven had to come from two behind to draw 2-2 with AZ Alkmaar. AFC Ajax took advantage with a 6-1 win against RKC Waalwijk and are now six points behind with four games remaining.