Chelsea leads EPL, Atletico stays 1st in Spain

Barcelona's Lionel Messi (L) vies for the ball with Betis' Jose Antonio Delgado "Nono" during their La Liga soccer match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona April 5, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

SPAIN

With leading scorer Diego Costa out for Atletico Madrid, it was left for Raul Garcia to score and see off Villarreal. Gareth Bale's long-range goal also ensured Real Madrid didn't miss star Cristiano Ronaldo as it cruised to a 4-0 victory at Real Sociedad, staying within three points of the pacesetters in third place.

Lionel Messi converted an early penalty and then slotted in the rebound after a second spot kick was blocked by goalkeeper Adan Garrido to seal Barcelona's victory late on against Real Betis. Barcelona unfurled a banner in the Camp Nou stands before the match that read "Hands Off La Masia," referring to FIFA's one-year transfer ban after football's governing body found the Catalan club guilty of breaching regulations in signing youth players for its renowned training academy.

FRANCE

Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc rested key players and still saw his team take a step closer to a second straight French title after coasting to a 3-0 win against Reims. Edinson Cavani made the most of a rare start in his favored center forward position, scoring his 15th league goal of the season as PSG moved provisionally 16 points clear of second-placed Monaco, which hosts Nantes on Sunday.

Bayern draws 1-1 at United	PSG sinks Chelsea, Real eases past Dortmund	Bayern ousts Arsenal