SPAIN: Real Betis went top of the Spanish first division yesterday when an own goal from Gabriel Schurrer secured them a 1-0 win over Las Palmas.
Argentine striker Gaston Casas fired the ball against Schurrer's head and the unfortunate defender was powerless to stop the ball rebounding into his own net five minutes after the break.
The result sent the recently-promoted side into first place ahead of Villarreal who gained a 1-0 win away to Real Mallorca thanks to a 14th minute header from burly Argentine striker Martin Palermo.
But the game of the day was the 2-2 draw between Galician rivals Deportivo Coruna and last week's leaders Celta Vigo at the Riazor stadium.
Deportivo, runners-up to Real Madrid in last season's championship, fought back from two goals down to earn an important point in an exciting encounter against their neighbours.
Betis and Villarreal now have 12 points, one ahead of Celta and fourth-placed Barcelona, who won 2-0 away to Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Reigning champions Real Madrid continued their disappointing start to the defence of their league title with a 2-2 draw against Valladolid at the Bernabeu on Saturday.
ITALY: Inter Milan took sole possession of top spot in the Italian first division yesterday, a freekick from Grigorios Georgatos giving them a 1-0 victory over Bologna at the San Siro.
That result - combined with a 2-0 defeat for Juventus at home to champions AS Roma on Saturday and a 3-1 defeat for AC Milan at Perugia - means the side coached by Argentinian Hector Cuper enjoys a one-point lead at the summit.
Inter's closest challengers are surprise packages Chievo. The top-flight newcomers from Verona moved second after winning 2-1 at Udinese, their fourth win in five outings since their historic promotion.
At the San Siro, Inter's Greek full back Georgatos scored direct from a first-half freekick which was retaken after encroachment by Bologna players.
There were no more goals although Bologna midfielder Fabio Pecchia was dismissed in the closing minutes. Cuper said: "We did not play well but the only thing that matters is the three points and that we are top of the table."
AC Milan were listless at Perugia and they fell for the sucker punch when the Umbrians opened the scoring. Brazilian international Ze Maria's pinpoint cross was headed home by Fabio Bazzani, signed on loan from Venezia on Friday just before the transfer deadline.
AC Milan's Georgian defender Kakha Kaladze equalised but Giovanni Tedesco quickly restored Perugia's lead and Greek forward Zisis Vryzas sealed the points.
Perugia coach Serse Cosmi, forced to sell star player Fabio Liverani to Lazio in midweek, said: "We know we are a breeding ground for talent but we managed to let the show go on."
