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    European Power Rankings: Spurs, Atletico on the rise

    Clint Dempsey and Andre Vilas-Boas celebrate Tottenham's win at Manchester United

    Tottenham Hotspur and Atletico Madrid were the main winners in the European Power Rankings after the weekend.

    Spurs, who had an uncertain start to the season under new boss Andre Vilas-Boas, stunned Manchester United 3-2 on Saturday, the first time they had won a league match at Old Trafford since the 1980s.

    It was Spurs' third win in a row, extending an unbeaten streak to seven matches, their only loss this season coming in the Premier League opener at Newcastle.

    The 62 points gained are the most of any top-20 side on our list, moving the North Londoners three places up to 16th.

    Europa League champions Atletico, meanwhile, doubled up with victories at Espanyol and Real Betis as they played the game in hand carried over from the European Super Cup.

    The 4-2 comeback win at Betis was a particular joy, not least because Falcao was at his imperious best.

    The undefeated Los Rojiblancos now lie second in La Liga, two points behind Barcelona as they look to capitalise on boasting arguably the best out-and-out striker in the league.

    The 60 points gained push them three places up to seventh, just behind Chelsea, who also picked up a decent points tally following their excellent win at Arsenal.

    As a result Porto, Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal slide down, but they all remain in the top 10 unchanged. The five leading sides — Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Manchester City — do not move, although United's defeat means they have lost touch somewhat with the Spanish duo.

    The only new entry this week are Dutch giants Ajax, who replace Lyon in the lower reaches of the 20.

    HOW IT WORKS

    To determine our Power Rankings, we use the Euro Club Index, which scientifically analyses hundreds of thousands of matches from the top divisions in all European nations as well as Europa League and Champions League games.

    The Index takes into account all matches played over an eight-year period but with recent results carrying more weight than older ones.

    The performance of a league's teams in the Champions League and Europa League reflects the rise or fall of the sporting level in that league.

    So, for example, if English teams perform well in Europe, all Premier League teams receive a small bonus in their ECI score. The ranking and its predictive power are thus made even more accurate.

    European Power Rankings 01.10.12

    About Pitchside Europe

    Pitchside Europe brings you the inside line on Europe"s major leagues. From Lisbon to Berlin, Glasgow to Naples, we look at the teams, players, coaches and fans making an impression across the Old Continent. Be it teenage sensations in La Liga, managerial outbursts in Ligue 1, improbable haircuts in the Bundesliga or innovative tactical trends in Serie A, if it's happening in Europe, you'll find out about it here.

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