Short takes
• The Premier League isn't the only league that suddenly has a title race on. Barcelona took over the top spot in Spain after a 3-2 victory at Real Madrid, with a stoppage-time goal by Lionel Messi providing the difference. In France, Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain are tied at the top; Monaco has a game in hand but also has Champions League commitments to worry about.
• Burnley midfielder Joey Barton, at the center of controversy throughout his career, has been banned 18 months for betting on soccer games. Barton bet on more than 1,200 games, including a handful of times on his own team to lose. In a statement, he claimed that the suspension would end his career. Soccer is the better for it.
• Your CONCACAF Champions League winner is Pachuca, which defeated Tigres to earn the continental championship and a spot in the Club World Cup next winter. It could be the end of the Pachuca road for forward Hirving "Chucky" Lozano, who is good enough to be a potential transfer target for a number of big European teams.
