Clear

[Kontol]

This is about football. I'm a bit puzzled by the meaning of "clear" in the following sentences. Could you let me know what it actually is?

Luciano Spalletti's side are nine points clear at the top of Serie A, having thumped third-placed Juventus 5-1 on Friday

63’ | Off the line!
O'Shea heads a deep free kick back across goal, Ajayi prods it at goal but the hosts hack it clear.

Walker drives clear down the right before looking to deliver into the Madrid box, but Ferland Mendy does brilliantly to make the challenge, speedsters going head-to-head.

 

[Amigos4]

The following link may be helpful: Definition of "clear" in soccer.

 

[Kontol]

Here, the word "clear" is used as an adverb, so what does it mean?

 

[Tarheel]

I don't disagree with @Amigos4 but it appppears to have more than one meaning. For example, in the first instance it appears to mean that Luciano Spelletti's team is in first place by nine points. In the third one the player is on offense, not defense.

 

[Amigos4]

Oxford Dictionary:
clear adverb
not near/touching
1. clear (of something/somebody) away from something/somebody; not near or touching something/somebody
Stand clear of the train doors.
He injured his arm as he jumped clear of the car.
By lap two Walker was two metres clear of the rest of the runners.

* Luciano Spalletti's side are nine points clear at the top of Serie A... (Spalletti's side are nine points away from all of the other teams.)
* O'Shea heads a deep free kick back across goal, Ajayi prods it at goal but the hosts hack it clear. (The defense reacts and is able to keep the ball away from the goal.)
* Walker drives clear down the right before looking to deliver into the Madrid box... (Walker races down the right side and away from the defensive team before looking for a safe way to kick the ball into the area in front of the Madrid net.)