As the never-ending footballing circus rumbles on, there were plenty of talking points from Friday night’s action across England and the rest of Europe.
All the Talking Points From Friday Night’s Action
Lincoln City Storm to Top of League One
Continuing their meteoric progression through the English football pyramid, Lincoln City sit top of League One and are targeting promotion to the Championship.
Conor McGrandles struck two out of the three goals that helped the Imps see off a spirited Gillingham side, propelling the club above Hull City and back to the top of the division.
Hopes of a third promotion in five years for Lincoln could stutter depending on the results of Doncaster Rovers, who boast three games in hand over the top two.
Bayern Munich Extend Lead at Top of Bundesliga with Friday Night Win
Record champions Bayern Munich extended their lead to ten points at the top of the Bundesliga with a scrappy 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Hertha Berlin.
Kingsley Coman‘s deflected effort was enough to seal an eighth league win in nine for the reigning European champions.
A lethargic Bayern had struggled to breakdown the Bundesliga‘s third-worst defence, with Robert Lewandoski denied from the spot during the first half.
Bayern will travel to Qatar to take place in the rearranged Club World Cup, whilst Hertha’s torrid form has seen them sleepwalk into a relegation battle.
Swansea City Topple Norwich City in Championship Title Challenge
In a top-of-the-table heavyweight clash between first and second in the Championship, Swansea City cruised past leaders Norwich City, significantly cutting the deficit at the top.
The Canaries entered the match knowing a win would put them eight clear of challengers Swansea, but goals from Andre Ayew and Aston Villa loanee Conor Hourihane secured the win for the side from South Wales.
A 2-0 victory cuts the gap to just two points, with the Swans boasting the luxury of having a game in hand and the result has blown the Championship title race wide open.
Although, Swansea’s joy could be short-lived, as a Brentford win against struggling Middlesbrough would see Steve Cooper’s side drop to second.
Inter Milan Return to the Top of the League
Nicolò Barella and Ivan Perišić goals were enough to see Inter Milan past Fiorentina and return to the top of the Serie A table above of AC Milan.
After a disappointing defeat to Juventus in the first leg of a midweek Coppa Italia semi-final tie, Inter returned to winning ways and securing only their fourth league victory of 2021 in the process.
Inter have played catch-up to their city rivals for most of the season, but with AC experiencing a mini injury crisis, the door to a first league title success since 2010 may have opened for the Nerazzurri.
Deportivo Alavés Pull Clear of La Liga Relegation Zone
The one time UEFA Cup runners-up Deportivo Alavés pulled three points clear of the La Liga relegation zone after a 1-0 win against fellow strugglers Real Valladolid.
Former Stoke City and Newcastle United man Joselu got the only goal of the match, stroking home from inside the box in the 66th minute.
The run ended a six-game winless streak for the club from the Basque country, a run stretching back to late December.
