Totti leads Roma celebrations

AS Roma set a points record as the Italian season reached the halfway mark on a weekend where Arsenal FC returned to the top of the Premiership and Spain's two primary title challengers were held.

Two for Totti
Roma came back from a goal down to secure a 3-1 victory over UC Sampdoria, for whom striker Fabio Bazzani struck first on six minutes. Norwegian John Carew equalised four minutes later, heading in a corner, and Francesco Totti also scored with his head in the 61st minute. The Roma captain sealed the result six minutes later following a superb individual run.

Miserly defence
The capital club - who have conceded just seven goals this season - have a record 42-point haul from their 17 games and remain three points clear of Juventus FC and AC Milan, both of whom were victorious yesterday. Alessandro Del Piero scored a hat-trick to help second-placed Juve to a 4-2 win against AC Siena, while a solitary 81st-minute goal from Giuseppe Pancaro secured victory for Milan against Brescia Calcio.

In-form Henry
Roma have lost just once in the league this season, while the English leaders Arsenal are yet to be beaten in 22 Premiership matches. The Londoners yesterday reclaimed top spot from Manchester United FC - who lost 1-0 at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC on Saturday - after defeating Aston Villa FC 2-0 away. Thierry Henry scored both goals from set-pieces; the first a quickly taken free-kick, the second a penalty.

Chelsea held
Third-placed Chelsea FC were held to a goalless draw by Birmingham City FC at Stamford Bridge, leaving them four points behind United and six adrift of Arsenal. Kenny Miller was on target for Wolves, who climbed off the bottom of the table. Leeds United AFC, UEFA Champions League semi-finalists in 2001, are now propping up the table following a 2-1 loss at Southampton FC.

Ronaldo rescues Madrid
Ronaldo saved Real Madrid CF from a second successive Primera División defeat when he struck his 15th goal of the season to earn his side a 1-1 draw at dominant Real Betis Balompié yesterday. Joaquín Sánchez opened the scoring for Betis after Iker Casillas failed to hold on a shot from striker Fernando, only for Ronaldo to score in the second half.

Valencia on top
Valencia CF still lead the table by a point from Madrid after a 0-0 draw with Real Valladolid CF on Saturday. RC Deportivo La Coruña moved to within four points of the leaders on Sunday as Diego Tristán scored twice in a 4-1 win against Real Zaragoza. Club Atlético de Madrid remain in the fourth Champions League qualifying spot by virtue of a 2-1 victory against Sevilla FC.

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The top two in France also drew. The leaders AS Monaco FC were denied maximum points at SC Bastia on Saturday as they drew 0-0, while second-placed Paris Saint-Germain FC's fixture against FC Metz was also scoreless. However, the French football headlines were dominated by José Anigo's first game as coach of Olympique de Marseille. The former youth academy chief saw his side dramatically beat nine-man RC Lens 3-2 to move up to sixth place in the table.