Leaders stumble in European action

All top-table leaders in major European football leagues either dropped points or lost their places in overnight action.

In English Premier League action, leaders Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool both dropped points as Leicester City and Southampton narrowed the gap in what is shaping up to be one of the most open title races.

Spurs had the chance to cement their place at the top and looked set for a fifth away win of the season when Harry Kane put them ahead in the 23rd minute at Crystal Palace.

But Jeffrey Schlupp's late equalizer and some inspired goalkeeping by Vicente Guaita meant Tottenham had to be content with a 1-1 draw.

It gave Liverpool the chance at Fulham to leapfrog Spurs but they were way below their best as they were also held to a 1-1 draw by Scott Parker's side.

Leicester appear to be mounting a serious challenge after a commanding 3-0 win at Brighton and Hove Albion.

In Germany, Leon Bailey scored twice to steer Bayer Leverkusen to a 4-1 victory over Hoffenheim and take over the lead in the Bundesliga for the first time in six years.

And Borussia Dortmund fired coach Lucien Favre, a day after the team lost 5-1 to promoted Stuttgart.

In France, Paris Saint-Germain surrendered top spot to Lille, who beat Bordeaux 2-1 at home, in Ligue 1 after losing 1-0 at home to Lyon but potentially suffered a more devastating blow as an anguished Neymar was stretchered off with an ankle injury.

In Italy, Serie A leaders AC Milan maintained their unbeaten league record in dramatic fashion when Theo Hernandez scored twice, including an injury-time equalizer, as they fought back from two goals down to draw at home to Parma.

In Italy, Theo Hernandez scored twice to help AC Milan recover from two goals down to draw against Parma.

Milan remained top of Serie A but had its lead cut to three points above Inter after the Nerazzurri scored three goals late on to win 3-1 at Cagliari.

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