The beginning of a season can be as vital and influential as the latter stages. Initial struggles and shortfalls can lead to mounting pressures on clubs, whether it be for title challengers or survival hopefuls - so the perfect start to a season is important. Soccer City FC looks at the early aspiring contenders who are at the top of their respective top-flight leagues.

Marco Van Basten is discovering the difficulties and challenges that come with day-to-day club management the hard way. Ajax were unable to break Heerenveen's unbeaten home record as they wilted to a 5-2 defeat.
Within eight minutes, Ajax were staring down the barrel of defeat as goals from veteran striker Gerald Sibon and Roy Beerens placed Heerenveen in an excellent position which they retained for the remainder of the match.

La Liga (Matchday 16)
Barcelona sprang another step towards the Spanish league title with victory at their nearby challengers Villarreal. The 2006 champions were forced to overturn a one-goal deficit as Cani chipped Villarreal into the lead, but Malian midfielder Seydou Keita threw the scoreline level and Thierry Henry's volley gifted Barcelona a ten point advantage to dominate the half-way stage of Spanish proceedings.