Football: Draw leaves Fiorentina one point clear of United

EUROPEAN ROUND-UP

FIORENTINA HELD Bordeaux to a goalless draw in France yesterday to take a one-point lead over Manchester United at the top of Group B as the Champions' League enters its winter break. The Italians, who beat United 2-0 in their opening match in the group, held out comfortably in the absence of their prolific Argentinian striker, Gabriel Batistuta, who was suspended.

Patrick Kluivert and Luis Enrique scored two goals each as Barcelona crushed 10-man Sparta Prague 5-0 in their Group A match in Spain. Rivaldo and Luis Figo launched a relentless succession of attacks, but Barcelona could not break through the resolute Czech defence until Sparta's Martin Hasek was sent off after 38 minutes when the midfielder was shown a second yellow card.

Kluivert opened the scoring six minutes later, and Luis Enrique added the second straight away. Josep Guardiola lobbed home a third 15 minutes into the second half, and Kluivert followed up with his second three minutes later. Then Kluivert turned provider as Luis Enrique wrapped up the scoring.

Porto consolidated their position at the top of the same group with a 1-0 home win over Hertha Berlin, when the second-half substitute, Ljubinko Drulovic, beat Andreas Thom in a sprint down the wing and stabbed in the only goal.