Luis Diaz scored three goals and created another as Bayern Munich thrashed RB Leipzig 6-1, while Kylian Mbappe struck twice in Real Madrid’s 4-1 win over Sevilla.
Diaz was the outstanding performer in Saturday’s Bundesliga meeting, directly contributing to four of Bayern’s six goals. The 29-year-old responded emphatically after criticism of his mediocre start to the season, following draws with FC Augsburg and Viking.
Bayern were 3-0 ahead at half-time and extended their advantage after the break, securing a statement victory in the title race. The result was particularly important after those two recent draws.
Brighton punish Crystal Palace
Brighton produced one of the weekend’s biggest results by beating Crystal Palace 5-0 in Sunday’s M23 derby. Fabian Hurzeler’s team scored three times in the opening 10 minutes, with Diego Gomez providing the highlight when he found the net from more than 50 metres after catching the Palace goalkeeper off his line.
Jaydee Canvot also scored an own goal, while Charalampos Kostoulas and Jack Hinshelwood completed the rout after the interval. Brighton’s fourth consecutive league victory was their sixth in all competitions and kept them third in the Premier League.
Dortmund and Napoli falter
Borussia Dortmund’s difficult week ended with a 0-0 draw against Union Berlin. After drawing with Werder Bremen and losing 1-0 to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League, BVB again lacked a cutting edge.
Dortmund enjoyed more possession and increased the pressure after half-time, but Union’s compact defence restricted them to few clear chances. The dropped points allowed Bayern Munich to move above them in the table.
Napoli’s problems also deepened as they lost 1-0 at Venezia, their second straight defeat. Massimiliano Allegri’s side had been beaten 3-1 by Villarreal in the Champions League during the week, and missed a major opportunity to equalise when Kevin De Bruyne’s second-half penalty was saved by Filip Stankovic.
Napoli have now lost five of their first nine competitive matches, a record not seen at the club for 25 years. Venezia claimed their first win of the season after changing coaches, while Allegri faces growing pressure. Last season’s runners-up have fallen to ninth in Serie A.
Strong starts for Real Madrid and Barcelona
Mbappe scored Real Madrid’s second goal in the 37th minute before converting a penalty after the break. He earned a Flashscore rating of 8.9, having also scored in Wednesday’s 4-3 Champions League victory over Roma.
Barcelona maintained their perfect league record with a ninth win from nine games, beating Real Betis 5-2. Hansi Flick’s side had previously defeated Galatasaray 4-1 in the Champions League. Lamine Yamal and his team-mates created numerous chances in Seville, although Barcelona conceded twice. Their form provides a significant statement ahead of the Clasico against Real Madrid.
Nacional da Madeira suffered a seventh consecutive defeat, losing 1-0 at fourth-tier AD Sanjoanense in the third round of the Portuguese Cup. Maxwell Sani scored in the 81st minute. Joao Giao had already been dismissed after four league games, but successor Alexandre Santos is still seeking his first win. Nacional also lost 3-2 at Rio Ave last weekend despite Rio Ave playing with 10 men from the 54th minute.
Brentford led Liverpool at half-time but lost 2-1 after Yarmolyuk was sent off for confronting Jeremy Jacquet. Vitaly Janelt later departed early too, briefly leaving Brentford with nine players. Yarmolyuk received a rating of 4.3.
Lepaul scored all three of Stade Rennes’ goals in their 4-3 defeat by Paris FC, each from the penalty spot, but Paris FC scored in stoppage time.
Freiburg lost top spot after a 2-1 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen. Derry Scherhant put Freiburg ahead before Ibrahim Maza equalised and Patrik Schick scored in the 76th minute. Freiburg had reached the summit for the fifth time after a club-record 13 points from five games, but have failed to retain top spot on each occasion.