Barca Climb Top of La Liga, Lazio Shocks Juve, ManU Beat Mancity, Liverpool Maintains Unbeaten Run, Everton Nails Chelsea

 

 

Barcelona vs Mallorca, 5-2

 

For the second time this season, keeper Ter Stegen offered an assist with his lobbed overhead ball in a counter attack that got to on rushing Antoine Griezman, who lifted the ball over on rushing goal keeper Reina for the opening 7 mins goal. An then in the 17 min, sixth -record world footballer of the year, Lionel Messi made it two, with a Griezman assist. The visitor pulled one back in the 6^th min through Ante Budmir and another by him in the 64^th min. Messi made it three in the 40^th min and in a space of two mins, Luis Suarez scored the fourth. The Ballon d’Or winner got a hat trick with an 82^nd min strike. With the win, Barca returns to the top of the La Liga, though a goal difference but same with same 34 points as Real Madrid.

 

Lazio vs Juventus, 3-1

A combination between Paulo Dybala and Bentancur got a free pass to Cristiano Ronaldo who runs in trademark fashion and lashed the ball into an empty net. Before end of first half, Lazio pulled one back through a Luis Felipe header of an Luiz Alberto cross. In the 74^th min, Lazio took the lead again. They missed a penalty in the 79^th min by Ciro Immobile, saved by keeper Wojciech Szczesny.

The penalty would have made it three. But at the last min, 90+5min, Lazio made it three through Felipe Caicedo. The stats favoured Juve with 60 percent ball possession against 40 for Lazio. The loss ended Juve’s unbeaten run.

Inter which drew with Roma yesterday still rules the table with just two points at 38 against the defending champions with 36 points, followed by Lazio with 33 points. The title chase is on.

 

^{Manchester City vs Manchester United, 1-2}

Rashford penalty sends Ederson Moares the wrong way

^{The derby was expected to be tough which the defending champions expected to win giving the dismal performance of Man U in recent times, but they proved their mettle by running away with a win at Etihad. A penalty by Marcus Rashford in the 23rd min and a double by Anthony Martial in the 30th min sealed the Champions hope, even when they eventually managed to pull one back in the 86th min through and Otamendi header. With the loss, ManCity is in third position on the table behind with 32 points, Leicester with 35 and Liverpool at 46, with 14 points margin behind the League leaders. For ManU, the title chase beckons as they moved to fifth position.}

Real Madrid vs Espanyol, 2-0

 

Tottenham vs Burnley, 5-0

Son Heung-Min scores the third for Spurs

 

Giant killers Burnley appeared to have switched off today and paid for it with a 5 goal spanking by Spurs. The goals started raining in in the 4^th min by Harry Kane, Lucas Moura in the 9^th and Son Heung-Min in the 37^th. At resumption of play, Kane scored a second in the 54^th and Mousa Sissoko ended it in the 74^th. After the first half, Burnley went to the back and stayed there as if fighting for life Lucas goal, for instance was a forced save from keeper Pope from a Son ball, which deflected off Alli for Lucas to put into an empty net^..

 

^{Bournemouth vs Liverpool, 0-3.} 

^{Everton vs Chelsea, 3-1}

^{Interim Manager Ducan Ferguson had a perfect start at Goodson Park with a stunning defeat of Chelsea. The win some how made for their 5-2 thrashing by Liverpool last Wednesday, leading to coach Marco Silva’s sacking}