LONDON -- Three thoughts on Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Manchester City in the Premier League.

1. Title rivals share points

There were a reported 650 million people looking on from across the globe but planet Earth may not have been too impressed by an often-turgid encounter between English football's two best teams. Five points remains the gap between leaders Chelsea and Manchester City.

As expected, neither team was ready to bet the farm on the whole affair. Given that their need for victory...

MADRID -- Three quick thoughts from the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu as La Liga leaders Real Madrid got an early scare but ran out easy 4-1 winners against David Moyes' Real Sociedad.

1. Madrid get it done without Ronaldo

When Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off last weekend for kicking an opponent at Cordoba, a three-game ban was immediately feared. Controversially, the verdict was just a two-game suspension, which was greeted with relief as it meant he would be back for next weekend's "derbi" at Atletico...

MANCHESTER, England -- Three thoughts on Manchester United's 3-1 win over Leicester to move up to third in the Premier League.

1. Odd and unconventional, but United winning again

They rarely look comfortable, they are certainly not orthodox, but Manchester United have a habit of winning games regardless. With a formation that defied numerical description and with several players out of position, Louis van Gaal's team comfortably defeated Leicester City at Old Trafford.

Demons were exorcised here....

BARCELONA, Spain -- Three quick thoughts from the Vicente Calderon as Barcelona's 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid (4-2 on aggregate) puts the Catalans into the Copa del Rey semifinals.

1. Barcelona's great chance to win the Copa

When the madness ended in this fantastic cup tie, around the 50th minute or so, one thing was crystal clear: Barcelona have a great chance now to win this season's Copa del Rey.

Before the game, Luis Enrique had played down the idea that his team already had one hand on...

BRIGHTON, England -- Three quick thoughts on Arsenal's 3-2 win at Brighton in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday afternoon.

1. Arsenal on a mission

It didn't fit with the shock patterns of this FA Cup weekend, but Arsenal's 3-2 win over Brighton and Hove Albion does suggest something might be building for their season. Arsene Wenger's side seemed so assured from the outset after last week's mood-changing 2-0 win over Manchester City and had what must be one of its smoothest attacking performances...

LONDON -- Three thoughts from Chelsea's embarrassing 4-2 defeat to League One side Bradford City at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup fourth round Saturday.

Chelsea

Bradford City

2

4

FT

Game Details

• GameCast
• Lineups and Stats

1. Bradford shock sorry Chelsea

Jose Mourinho said he would be in disgrace if he lost this tie. Such a fate now awaits him. "I am ashamed," he admitted straight afterwards, also affirming that this was the worst defeat of his managerial career with a simple "yes" when the question was asked.

Two goals clear, then 3-2 down, then 4-2. Bradford...