by Greg Seltzer
Several of the teams on the last list had a rough ensuing fortnight, giving us plenty of shifting in the new edition of Soccer 365's Euro Top 10 clubs. One of the strugglers, Inter Milan, cedes the summit to Manchester United.
Meanwhile, PSV Eindhoven make their first appearance in the list this season, replacing UEFA Cup rejects Everton, while Liverpool returns to the TOP 10 at Porto's expense.
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#1 - Manchester United
Other than a bizarre FA Cup spot kicks defeat to Pompey that saw Rio Ferdinand step in goal for United, Sir Alex's crew had a pretty standard time of it the last two weeks. They did enough to best a hearty Champions League foe in Lyon and eased past three league foes. Perhaps the wins over Derby and Bolton could have been glossier, but as always, Cristiano Ronaldo was there to save the day with three goals in those consecutive games - the sixth time he's tallied a treble over successive matches this season.
#2 - Inter Milan
Yes, Inter were essentially mediocre since the last ranking, but as I've said before: this is not the BCS. They went out of the Champions League sans whimper, dropped points to Napoli and Genoa, and a dinged Zlatan Ibrahimovic hasn't scored from the run of play since January 20th. On the docket? A weekend visit from Juventus. Next time, the ranking may not be so kind.
#3 - Arsenal
Like Inter, the Gunners might have fallen had other clubs fared well recently, yet they are practically gifted a one-place jump despite three league draws to fall from the top. A splendid second Champions League leg against Milan at San Siro certainly helps, and Arsene Wenger can only hope that Emmanuel Adebayor's goal in that win sparks his Premiership form by Sunday's short trip to Chelsea.
#4 - Real Madrid
Another team that might not have climbed a spot were it not for the lethargy of others, Real were bounced from the Champions League by Roma. They also lost to Deportivo in league play, but remain seven points clear thanks to some Barcelona struggles. Still, Bernd Schuster can't expect Raul to score 57% of the team's goals every month and keep his job. Ruud van Nistelrooy, you will be missed.
#5 - AS Roma
Were it not for a city derby loss to Lazio last weekend, the Giallorossi could have risen higher. Beating Real Madrid a second time in the Champions League and defeating AC Milan had them soaring, but then they failed to take advantage of an Inter slip to remain seven points adrift in Italy. Unless Francesco Totti heats back up, however, they could become an April snack for Manchester United.
#6 - Barcelona
The Catalans brushed aside a sturdy Celtic challenge to advance to the Champions League elite eight, but have capitulated in La Liga play just when they were bearing down on slipping title rivals Real. Of course, they are missing Lionel Messi, but there should be enough talent in the clubhouse to avoid three-game win droughts. If sad papa Thierry Henry can't find his scoring boots, then Ronaldinho needs to quickly step up his production - the superstar has exactly one run of play goal in Spain since November.
#7 - Chelsea
The Blues heeded my advice to take some teams to the woodshed, drubbing West Ham, Derby and Champions League opponent Olympiakos by a combined 13-1 margin. Then, of course, they were ousted from the FA Cup by Barnsley (!!) and flung the barn doors open in an eight-goal Tottenham share. Chelsea now have four games to cut their title deficit of five points before launching into a Champions League quarterfinal with Liverpool. What's more, Didier Drogba is back on the Prem scoresheet after four months, while Frank Lampard (already six goals in March) and Joe Cole (four goals in March) are on fire. All in all, things are looking up at Stamford Bridge.
#8 - Liverpool
The superball of this season, Liverpool have bounced back into the Top 10 by remembering they should dominate most teams. The Reds have now won five straight in England to place a hold on fourth place and unceremoniously dumped Inter Milan from the Champions League. Many observers wondered if Fernando Torres was worth all that coin last summer, but now the young Spaniard probably couldn't stop scoring if he tried. Nevertheless, it is the next two weeks that could tell the tale of 2007/08 for the Anfield boys: at ManU, home derby with an angry Everton and at Arsenal.
#9 - Lyon
Just when it looked like Lyon's six-year string of French championships was in danger, they responded by beating Lille, second place Bordeaux and Monaco in impressive fashion. Sure, they were edged out of the Champions League by Manchester United, but that could technically be scored as a moral victory in my book. Now that Fred is scoring again, a strong run of form from Karim Benzema could see them post another 10+ point lead by the time the domestic schedule ends.
#10 - PSV Eindhoven
The Farmers have poked their head into the rare air for the first time this season after nudging Tottenham out of the UEFA Cup and holding title threat Ajax to a scoreless home draw. Not only are they now in line to claim their fourth consecutive Dutch crown, but PSV once again carry the nation's flag deep into European play. With stellar keeper Gomes fronted by central defense tandem Dirk Marcellis and Carlos Salcido, as well as midfield stopper Timmy Simons, expect the Philips Stadion gang to still be on this list when they tackle UEFA Cup foe Fiorentina next month.
On the outside looking in: Rangers, Porto, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Schalke 04, Everton, Fenerbahce, Celtic, Bayer Leverkusen, Fiorentina, Zenit St. Petersburg
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