Real Madrid 5-0 Espanyol: Kaka in tantalising form as Mourinho's men restore 10-point lead at the top of La Liga
Los Blancos were at their very best as they saw off Mauricio Pochettino's men at home with the Brazilian playmaker pulling all the strings for the league leaders
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Real Madrid made light work of Espanyol on Sunday evening as they stormed to a 5-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu to claim their 10th consecutive Liga victory, and open up a 10-point lead over rivals Barcelona once again.
The league leaders grabbed their first goal on 23 minutes when Cristiano Ronaldo finished off a clever move, before Sami Khedira doubled Madrid's goal tally before the break.
Just after the interval Higuain struck from close range before Kaka netted a deserved goal. Higuain put the icing on the cake for the home side with 12 minutes to go, with Jose Mourinho's men appearing odds on to win their first Liga title since 2008.
Madrid made a dominant start to proceedings and it was a surprise that it took until the 23rd minute to open the scoring. After sloppy defensive play by Raul Rodriguez, the centre-back gave the ball away to Mesut Ozil, who played a quick pass into the feet of Higuain. The Argentine flicked into the feet of Ronaldo to sweep home with his left foot from 12 yards out - his 30th Liga goal of the current campaign.
Los Blancos doubled their advantage in the 38th minute as Khedira grabbed his first league goal for Mourinho's men since his arrival at the club in the summer of 2010.
The German midfielder played the ball to Ronaldo who found Ozil, with the playmaker picking out his compatriot in the area who had continued his run. The former Stuttgart man showed great composure to place the ball into the bottom corner past the despairing Kiko Casilla.
The home side could have doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time. Higuain's effort from close range was blocked by the Espanyol custodian, before Ronaldo's long range effort nearly crept in, with Casilla parrying a low shot onto the crossbar after some unorthodox goalkeeping.
Madrid make the perfect start to the second period and put the result beyond doubt on 47 minutes. Kaka picked up the ball before gliding forward and beating the Espanyol offside trap with a precise pass to Higuain, who smashed the ball past the helpless Casilla from six yards out.
It was four for the home team just after the hour mark and Kaka grabbed the goal his impressive performance deserved. Higuain was able to lay the ball off to the Brazilian on the edge of the box, and the former AC Milan man made his way past two Espanyol defenders before placing his shot into the net via the inside of the post.
Madrid made it a five-star evening in the 78th minute as Kaka and Higuain linked up brilliantly once again.
The 30-year-old playmaker showed excellent skill to get past his marker on the left side of the box before sliding the ball into the feet of Higuain, who smashed into the top corner from 15 yards for his 19th goal if the season, to round off a great evening for Los Blancos.
Next up for Madrid is a trip to Betis while Espanyol entertain Rayo Vallecano as they look to bounce back from tonight's heavy defeat.
The league leaders grabbed their first goal on 23 minutes when Cristiano Ronaldo finished off a clever move, before Sami Khedira doubled Madrid's goal tally before the break.
Just after the interval Higuain struck from close range before Kaka netted a deserved goal. Higuain put the icing on the cake for the home side with 12 minutes to go, with Jose Mourinho's men appearing odds on to win their first Liga title since 2008.
Madrid made a dominant start to proceedings and it was a surprise that it took until the 23rd minute to open the scoring. After sloppy defensive play by Raul Rodriguez, the centre-back gave the ball away to Mesut Ozil, who played a quick pass into the feet of Higuain. The Argentine flicked into the feet of Ronaldo to sweep home with his left foot from 12 yards out - his 30th Liga goal of the current campaign.
Los Blancos doubled their advantage in the 38th minute as Khedira grabbed his first league goal for Mourinho's men since his arrival at the club in the summer of 2010.
The German midfielder played the ball to Ronaldo who found Ozil, with the playmaker picking out his compatriot in the area who had continued his run. The former Stuttgart man showed great composure to place the ball into the bottom corner past the despairing Kiko Casilla.
The home side could have doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time. Higuain's effort from close range was blocked by the Espanyol custodian, before Ronaldo's long range effort nearly crept in, with Casilla parrying a low shot onto the crossbar after some unorthodox goalkeeping.
Madrid make the perfect start to the second period and put the result beyond doubt on 47 minutes. Kaka picked up the ball before gliding forward and beating the Espanyol offside trap with a precise pass to Higuain, who smashed the ball past the helpless Casilla from six yards out.
It was four for the home team just after the hour mark and Kaka grabbed the goal his impressive performance deserved. Higuain was able to lay the ball off to the Brazilian on the edge of the box, and the former AC Milan man made his way past two Espanyol defenders before placing his shot into the net via the inside of the post.
Madrid made it a five-star evening in the 78th minute as Kaka and Higuain linked up brilliantly once again.
The 30-year-old playmaker showed excellent skill to get past his marker on the left side of the box before sliding the ball into the feet of Higuain, who smashed into the top corner from 15 yards for his 19th goal if the season, to round off a great evening for Los Blancos.
Next up for Madrid is a trip to Betis while Espanyol entertain Rayo Vallecano as they look to bounce back from tonight's heavy defeat.
Tottenham 1-3 Manchester United: Two stunning Young strikes seal crucial win after Adebayor disallowed goal controversy
Sir Alex Ferguson's men powered past an injury-depleted Spurs side to further extend their lead over the home side and ensure the title battle will be a two-horse race
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Manchester United defeated Tottenham 3-1 at White Hart Lane, cutting the gap toManchester City back to two points in the Premier League title race and put an 11-point cushion between second and third place.
An uneventful first half was dominated by a disallowed Spurs goal, Emmanuel Adebayor controversially judged to have handled prior to finding the net, before Wayne Rooney headed home from a corner moments before the whistle.
Despite not being at the top of their game, United pushed clear after the interval, Ashley Young catching the eye first with a well-taken volley from a tough angle and then a delightful finish from outside the area to double his tally. Jermain Defoe netted a late consolation having capitalised upon a loose pass.
Neither Gareth Bale nor Rafael van der Vaart were available for the home side, with Sandro, Aaron Lennon and Jake Livermore coming into the midfield with Scott Parker suspended. Louis Saha, meanwhile, started against his former club.
Rooney recovered sufficiently from a throat infection to return to the visitors’ starting XI in place of Javier Hernandez and Young was the other alteration from United’s defeat of Norwich, replacing Ryan Giggs.
The two sides traded blows evenly in the opening exchanges, Danny Welbeck and Adebayor both firing over the bar.
With shots scarce early on, David de Gea did have to make a key save near the 20-minute mark from Adebayor, having caused the chance himself with a poor clearance that was easily intercepted by Sandro.
With neither side grabbing full control of the match, Tottenham earned a promising free-kick as Jones dragged down Saha just outside the area, but Younes Kaboul’s curling effort came to nothing.
The home side, starting to dominate, had the ball in the net in the 37th minute. Lennon’s enterprising run inside the area from the left wing forged a chance for Adebayor, who received the ball via Saha’s effort and bundled it into the net from close-range.
But just as the home fans were celebrating, referee Martin Atkinson ruled it out on grounds of the Togolese handballing as the ball reached him.
Despite a period on the back foot, United edged in front just before half-time through a simple goal. The Red Devils having earned a corner, Young delivered an in-swinger from the left and Rooney’s impressive off-the-ball movement coupled with strength to hold off Kyle Walker allowed him to head home for a 1-0 lead.
Spurs resumed probing after the break and came close when Livermore’s rasping shot took a thin deflection off Saha’s leg to threaten De Gea, but the Spaniard reacted sharply to get low down and block impressively with his arm.
Tottenham kept coming and Benoit Assou-Ekotto was next to get sight of goal, whipping in a free kick from the right flank that swerved and dipped but just cleared the bar.
Yet, despite being second best for the early stages of the half, United stretched their lead a minute later.
Luka Modric’s lazy marking let Nani through in space on the right bye-line from a throw-in and the Portuguese played the ball across the area. It broke to Young just past the far post who had a difficult angle but still volleyed low, evading a small crowd and creeping into the far corner of the net.
Spurs looked to riposte, Lennon carving some room once again, but, receiving the ball with time to volley, Assou-Ekotto limply struck the ball utterly wayward.
White Hart Lane was in shock and it only got worse for the north Londoners as Youngpicked the ball up a little way outside the area. The England winger pushed inside a little to get sight of the net and struck, placing his shot with delightful precision into the top-right corner.
Harry Redknapp's side seemed to accept that matters were settled and the game drifted in the final 15 minutes, the away fans crowing loudly over the subdued Tottenham supporters.
There was, however, a late consolation. With 86 minutes gone, the United defence seemed to switch off and substitute Giggs' lax pass into nowhere allowed fellow replacement Defoe to run on and dispatch an uncomplicated finish past De Gea from the edge of the box.
Spurs had no time for an accompanying late rally, however, and the final whistle soon confirmed the setback that left any remaining title hopes very distant indeed
An uneventful first half was dominated by a disallowed Spurs goal, Emmanuel Adebayor controversially judged to have handled prior to finding the net, before Wayne Rooney headed home from a corner moments before the whistle.
Despite not being at the top of their game, United pushed clear after the interval, Ashley Young catching the eye first with a well-taken volley from a tough angle and then a delightful finish from outside the area to double his tally. Jermain Defoe netted a late consolation having capitalised upon a loose pass.
Neither Gareth Bale nor Rafael van der Vaart were available for the home side, with Sandro, Aaron Lennon and Jake Livermore coming into the midfield with Scott Parker suspended. Louis Saha, meanwhile, started against his former club.
Rooney recovered sufficiently from a throat infection to return to the visitors’ starting XI in place of Javier Hernandez and Young was the other alteration from United’s defeat of Norwich, replacing Ryan Giggs.
The two sides traded blows evenly in the opening exchanges, Danny Welbeck and Adebayor both firing over the bar.
With shots scarce early on, David de Gea did have to make a key save near the 20-minute mark from Adebayor, having caused the chance himself with a poor clearance that was easily intercepted by Sandro.
With neither side grabbing full control of the match, Tottenham earned a promising free-kick as Jones dragged down Saha just outside the area, but Younes Kaboul’s curling effort came to nothing.
The home side, starting to dominate, had the ball in the net in the 37th minute. Lennon’s enterprising run inside the area from the left wing forged a chance for Adebayor, who received the ball via Saha’s effort and bundled it into the net from close-range.
But just as the home fans were celebrating, referee Martin Atkinson ruled it out on grounds of the Togolese handballing as the ball reached him.
Despite a period on the back foot, United edged in front just before half-time through a simple goal. The Red Devils having earned a corner, Young delivered an in-swinger from the left and Rooney’s impressive off-the-ball movement coupled with strength to hold off Kyle Walker allowed him to head home for a 1-0 lead.
Spurs resumed probing after the break and came close when Livermore’s rasping shot took a thin deflection off Saha’s leg to threaten De Gea, but the Spaniard reacted sharply to get low down and block impressively with his arm.
Tottenham kept coming and Benoit Assou-Ekotto was next to get sight of goal, whipping in a free kick from the right flank that swerved and dipped but just cleared the bar.
Yet, despite being second best for the early stages of the half, United stretched their lead a minute later.
Luka Modric’s lazy marking let Nani through in space on the right bye-line from a throw-in and the Portuguese played the ball across the area. It broke to Young just past the far post who had a difficult angle but still volleyed low, evading a small crowd and creeping into the far corner of the net.
Spurs looked to riposte, Lennon carving some room once again, but, receiving the ball with time to volley, Assou-Ekotto limply struck the ball utterly wayward.
White Hart Lane was in shock and it only got worse for the north Londoners as Youngpicked the ball up a little way outside the area. The England winger pushed inside a little to get sight of the net and struck, placing his shot with delightful precision into the top-right corner.
Harry Redknapp's side seemed to accept that matters were settled and the game drifted in the final 15 minutes, the away fans crowing loudly over the subdued Tottenham supporters.
There was, however, a late consolation. With 86 minutes gone, the United defence seemed to switch off and substitute Giggs' lax pass into nowhere allowed fellow replacement Defoe to run on and dispatch an uncomplicated finish past De Gea from the edge of the box.
Spurs had no time for an accompanying late rally, however, and the final whistle soon confirmed the setback that left any remaining title hopes very distant indeed
La Liga's Refereeing Technical Committee calls for Pique punishment
The Spanish defender could find himself in hot water for his recent remarks as the referees believe that the player was out of line when he criticised Carballo
Gerard Pique - Barcelona
Victoriano Arminio, president of La Liga's Refereeing Technical Committee, says that he will ask the Spanish Football Federation to punish Barcelona defender Gerard Pique for his recent outburst against referee Carlos Velasco Carballo.
The 25-year-old defender vented his frustration for his red card in Saturday's 3-1 victory against Sporting Gijon and went as far as to claim that his sending off had been 'premeditated' by the referee.
"Pique's comments are unfortunate and very serious," Arminio told Radio Nacional. "They makesyour blood boil, sportsmen must respect each other.
"His comments affect the state of refereeing and we will obviously report him."
In recent seasons, Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho and his Barcelona counterpart, Pep Guardiola, were each fined €1,500 after the Refereeing Technical Committee complained about derogatory remarks from the duo over the standard of refereeing in the country.
The 25-year-old defender vented his frustration for his red card in Saturday's 3-1 victory against Sporting Gijon and went as far as to claim that his sending off had been 'premeditated' by the referee.
"Pique's comments are unfortunate and very serious," Arminio told Radio Nacional. "They makesyour blood boil, sportsmen must respect each other.
"His comments affect the state of refereeing and we will obviously report him."
In recent seasons, Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho and his Barcelona counterpart, Pep Guardiola, were each fined €1,500 after the Refereeing Technical Committee complained about derogatory remarks from the duo over the standard of refereeing in the country.
Poll: Is Robin van Persie in the same bracket as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo?
The Arsenal captain has been in majestic form this season, netting 25 Premier League goals so far, but is he as good as Barcelona and Real Madrid's goalscoring machines?
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POLL
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie scored twice in the last-gasp 2-1 win over Liverpool on Saturday to take his Premier League tally to an incredible 25 goals already for the season.
His outstanding goalscoring form this campaign has seen him compared to the likes of La Liga stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
But with talks over a new deal at the Emirates currently on hold until the end of the season, questions are already being asked over whether the club will be able to keep hold of their talisman.
The Netherlands international has just 18 months remaining on his deal and finds himself in a similar situation to that of Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri last summer, while a number of Europe's elite clubs, including Barcelona and Real Madrid, have been linked with a big-money move for him.
While Messi and Ronaldo are largely considered the best two players in the world after consistently scoring goals for fun in Spain - and in record-breaking speed - is Van Persie in the same bracket as the duo?
Arsenal striker Robin van Persie scored twice in the last-gasp 2-1 win over Liverpool on Saturday to take his Premier League tally to an incredible 25 goals already for the season.
His outstanding goalscoring form this campaign has seen him compared to the likes of La Liga stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
But with talks over a new deal at the Emirates currently on hold until the end of the season, questions are already being asked over whether the club will be able to keep hold of their talisman.
The Netherlands international has just 18 months remaining on his deal and finds himself in a similar situation to that of Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri last summer, while a number of Europe's elite clubs, including Barcelona and Real Madrid, have been linked with a big-money move for him.
While Messi and Ronaldo are largely considered the best two players in the world after consistently scoring goals for fun in Spain - and in record-breaking speed - is Van Persie in the same bracket as the duo?
Fergie expected Villas-Boas sacking
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says he was not surprised by Chelsea's decision to sack Andre Villas-Boas, lamenting the lack of time afforded to managers in the modern game.
GettyImagesSir Alex Ferguson waited four years for his first trophy at Manchester United
Villas-Boas was axed on Sunday after a 1-0 defeat at West Brom was deemed the final straw for owner Roman Abramovich following a tumultuous first season for the Portuguese at Stamford Bridge. Ferguson, who has celebrated 25 years in charge at Old Trafford, believes the Blues' decision is indicative of major clubs demanding immediate success of their managerial staff.
"The news is not surprising to me really," Ferguson told Sky Sports. "There was all the build-up in the media and obviously the results haven't been kind to him. But it is disappointing because he is a young manager.
"When you are young you need time and obviously in this industry you don't get a lot of time unfortunately - so it is sad in a way.
"I hope he does well because he has got the potential. His work at Porto can't be ignored and I hope he comes back into the game soon."
Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has emerged as favourite to take up the position following Villas-Boas' departure, according to widespread reports.
The Real Madrid boss was seen shopping for houses in London last Tuesday, but prior toLos Merengues' 5-0 thrashing of Espanyol on Sunday, Mourinho refused to be drawn on speculation linking him to a Stamford Bridge return.
"I don't have to give explanations to anyone concerning my private life," said Mourinho. "When one of us leaves Madrid, we inform the club out of courtesy. I don't have to tell you [the press] anything. On Monday I am going away again."
PSG return to Ligue 1 summ
After their title rivals all faltered on Saturday, Carlo Ancelotti's side cashed in fully as quickfire goals from Javier Pastore and Jeremy Menez on the half-hour sent them on their way.
Yoann Poulard pulled a goal back on 42 minutes but late goals from Guillaume Hoarau and Nene sealed a win to move them a point clear at the top.
On a day Ancelotti's successor at Chelsea, Andre Villas-Boas, was sacked after just eight months in charge the Italian is in pole position to win another league title in his long career.
The 52-year-old had seen closest rivals Montpellier and Lille both held on Saturday but came into the match on the back of three successive league draws of their own.
Brest claimed an incredible 15th draw from 26 league matches as they took a point from their game at Caen with a 0-0 stalemate.
The visitors have still not recorded a win away from home this season, but this was their seventh draw on the road as they remained two points above the Normandy club. Brest's day was marred by a red card late on for Jonathan Zebina.
Rennes moved fourth in the Ligue 1 table with a 2-0 victory at Lorient. Jonathan Pitroipa and Youssouf Hadji scored in each half for the visitors to grab a win to get their European bid back on track.
Rennes had won just once in their past five games before tonight but would have fancied themselves against a Lorient side without a home league win since November.
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