European Football: Bebeto goes clear

Bebeto, the gifted Brazilian who has helped transform the fortunes of La Coruna, scored twice in their 3-0 victory at Cadiz, a result that moves the unheralded Galicians two points clear of Barcelona at the top of the Spanish League.

Bebeto's brace also took him to 17 in the scoring charts two goals clear of his nearest rival, Hristo Stoichkov, Barcelona's Bulgarian, in the scoring charts.

Stoichkov was unable to find a way through a packed Seville defence, Diego Maradona's side playing excessively negatively in the stalemate with the Catalan champions, Maradona's former club.

No shortage of goals at Real Sociedad where John Toshack's men were beaten 5-1 by third- placed Real Madrid. Robert Prosinecki inspired the Madrilenos, the Croat running the midfield in a vintage display. Emilio Butragueno set the goals rolling, Fernando Hierro made it two, the Chilean international, Ivan Zamorano, added a second-half double before Luis Henrique ended proceedings six minutes from time.

West Germany's Italia '90 strikers, Jurgen Klinsmann and Rudi Voller, had a field day in France. Monaco moved clear at the top courtesy of Klinsmann, who struck all four goals in their win over Auxerre. The variety of the Klinsmann quartet was admirable: a fine volley, a long-range shot and a pair of close-range efforts.

Voller was also in the mood, contributing a hat-trick to Marseille's 5-2 home success over bottom-placed Toulon. Prosinecki's compatriot Alen Boksic opened and concluded Marseille's scoring.

The champions are gathering steam, and swept into third following their Toulon triumph. Monaco swapped places with Nantes on goal difference, the overnight leaders winning only 1-0 against Lyon.

Poland's Wlodzimierz Smolarek scored twice in the opening 25 minutes as FC Utrecht moved into second place behind PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch league with a 4-2 victory at RKC Waalwijk yesterday.