Bayern win: Italy striker Luca Toni scored twice to give Bayern Munich a 3-0 victory over Nuremberg and a five-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga yesterday. Toni put Bayern ahead in the 31st minute, tapping in a Hamit Altintop free-kick that Nuremberg keeper Jaromir Blazek had parried. Ze Roberto added the second from 15 metres nine minutes later. Toni managed to find the net again nine minutes from time with a well-placed header. In yesterday's other match, Sotiris Kyrgiakos scored both goals as Eintracht Frankfurt beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1.
Ten Cate: Ajax coach Henk Ten Cate said yesterday the Dutch club and Chelsea were in negotiations over his move to Stamford Bridge. "There has to be a solution between Ajax and Chelsea," Ten Cate said. "If that doesn't happen I will stay with Ajax and otherwise there is a chance I will leave." Ten Cate has been linked with an assistant coach position at the Premier League club, and according to media reports is set to sign a three-year contract.
Alves hits seven: Brazilian international Afonso Alves underlined his scoring credentials when he hit seven goals for Heerenveen yesterday to set a Dutch first division record. The striker, who wants to join a more high-profile club, hopes his effort in a 9-0 thrashing of Heracles Almelo would have been noted by some of Europe's elite. "I needed to score to find my form again, so now I can focus on the future with confidence," Alves said.
Villa injured: Striker David Villa is a serious doubt for Spain's Euro 2008 qualifier against Denmark on Saturday after injuring his left ankle during Valencia's 2-1 defeat at home to Espanyol in the Primera Liga on Saturday. Villa suffered an intermediate ligament strain which would put him out of action for between two and three weeks.
Primera Liga: Results - Ath. Bilbao vs Almeria 1-1; Barcelona vs Atl. Madrid 3-0; Osasuna vs Villarreal 3-2; Rac. Santander vs Valladolid 2-0; Real Mallorca vs Getafe 4-2; Real Madrid vs Rec. Huelva 2-0; Murcia vs Real Betis 0-0; Real Zaragoza vs Levante 3-0; Sevilla vs Deportivo 0-1; Valencia vs Espanyol 1-2. Leading standings - Real Madrid 19; Barcelona 17; Villarreal, Valencia 15; Espanyol 13; Atl. Madrid, Mallorca, R. Zaragoza, Santander 11.