European Soccer Round-up: News from the leagues in Europe

ITALY: Dutch international Clarence Seedorf scored twice as AC Milan tightened their grip at the top of Serie A with a convincing 3-1 win at champions Juventus last night.

European champions Milan have a seven-point lead over second-placed Roma, who drew 0-0 with Reggina, while Juventus trail the leaders by nine points with nine games of the season remaining.

Seedorf created Milan's opener in the 25th minute, providing a perfect cross for Andriy Shevchenko who thundered a header past Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.

The Dutchman then made it 2-0 in the 63rd minute with a deflected shot from 20 metres before striking again as he finished off a counter-attack with a blistering left-foot shot after Cafu had found him unmarked on the edge of the area.

Juventus pulled a goal back nine minutes from the end through defender Ciro Ferrara, but it was too late to reverse a result that leaves Marcello Lippi's side, knocked out of the Champions League in midweek, facing a mammoth task if they are to catch Milan.

SPAIN: Valencia grabbed their first league win in 10 seasons in Vigo to close to within four points of league leaders Real Madrid. Midfielder Francisco Rufete scored twice, volleying in from 10 metres out after keeper Pablo Cavallero had spilled a Miguel Angel Angulo free kick five minutes before the break and finishing off a swift counterattack by blasting into the net in injury time.

A fourth defeat in a row leaves Radomir Antic's Celta in deep trouble, five points adrift of Mallorca in 18th place in the 20-team division.

Barcelona overtook Deportivo Coruna and moved to third in the table after notching their eighth league win in a row.

Argentine striker Javier Saviola got the Catalans off to a flying start when he bundled in at the far post after five minutes and Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho made sure of the win when he picked his spot from the edge of the box after a great run by Marc Overmars on the left.

Meanwhile, David Beckham has dealt a blow to Chelsea's hopes of signing him by insisting that he will stay with Real Madrid next season, despite his family having decided to remain in England.

"People say there are problems and I want to go back to England but all the speculation surrounding a move back home is rubbish.

"There is absolutely no question of me putting in a transfer request. Why would I?"

FRANCE: Monaco's lead at the top of Ligue 1 was reduced to two points as the Champions League quarter-finalists were held to a goalless draw at UEFA Cup contenders AJ Auxerre last night.

With 10 games remaining until the end of the season, Monaco are on 59 points. Olympique Lyon, who also reached the Champions League last eight in midweek, are on 57 after their 2-1 win at Sochaux on Saturday.

Paris St Germain lie third on 54 after a 1-0 win at bottom club Le Mans. Sochaux stay fourth on 49 and Auxerre fifth on 47.