LONDON, APRIL 19: European Cup semifinalists Manchester United and Juventus enjoyed a successful time in domestic action at the weekend but former Champions' Cup winners Ajax Amsterdam were in serious trouble again.The reigning Dutch champions lost their fourth league match in a row for the first time since 1962.ItalyZvonimir Boban and German Oliver Bierhoff both scored twice as AC Milan won 5-1 at Udinese to close to within a point of leaders Lazio. With five matches remaining, the Serie A race is wide open again with Lazio, beaten 3-1 at home by Juventus, letting slip a seven-point advantage over Milan in eight days.EnglandGoals by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Teddy Sheringham and Paul Scholes gave Manchester United a comfortable 3-0 home win over Sheffield Wednesday.United have a three-point lead over second-place Chelsea who failed to close the gap further after a brilliant late equalizer from mid-fielder Steve Guppy earned Leicester City a 2-2 draw. Third-placed Arsenal play Wimbledon today.NetherlandsRunaway championship leaders Feyenoord are only one victory away from their 14th Dutch First Division title after winning 1-0 against bottom side NAC Breda.But reigning champions Ajax Amsterdam suffered their fourth consecutive league defeat for the first time since 1962.Ajax lost 3-1 at home to Fortuna Sittard in a match billed as the preview of the Dutch Cup final. Ajax are experiencing one of their worst-ever seasons and played with little fighting spirit against a sharp Fortuna side keen to win in Amsterdam for the first time.FranceTwo goals in the last two minutes of extra-time gave French champions RC Lens a 2-0 League Cup semifinal win over Sochaux and revived their hopes of competing in the Uefa Cup next season.Out of contention in the first division title chase, ousted from the French Cup, Lens have no other choice but winning the League Cup to keep their European dreams alive.In the final at the Stade de France next month, they will face Metz who beat Montpellier 4-3 thanks to a Nenad Jestrovic hat-trick.GermanyWith runaway leaders Bayern Munich virtually certain to take the title, interest focuses on the battle between Bayer Leverkusen and Kaiserslautern for the second spot and the direct access to the Champions' League that goes with it.Three goals from Germany striker Ulf Kirsten helped Bayer Leverkusen hammer crisis-hit Borussia Moenchengladbach 4-1.The victory enabled Leverkusen to consolidate their second place by stretching their lead on third-placed Kaiserslautern to six points. Last year's champions were beaten 2-1 by Hansa Rostock.Bayern warmed up for tomorrow's European Cup semifinal return leg at home to Dynamo Kiev in ideal fashion by beating strugglers Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1. They are 10 points clear.SpainBarcelona continued their march towards the title with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Mallorca.But Louis van Gaal's side, leading 2-0 through first half goals from Frank de Boer and Patrick Kluivert, were almost denied victory at the death as Philip Cocu conceded a penalty for hand ball in the final minute.The Dutch mid-fielder received the red card, Leonardo Biagini netted the spot kick and Barcelona had to survive three torturous minutes of injury time.Barcelona have a nine-point lead over second-placed Celta Vigo who were held to a 1-1 draw by Alaves. Real Madrid are third a further point behind after a 3-1 victory over Valencia.
