Superb Yamal strike hands Barcelona win
Barcelona ................... 1
Mallorca ..................... 0
PAIN – Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal struck a fine late goal to secure a hardfought 1-0 home win against plucky Mallorca on Friday to move within five points of leaders Real Madrid.
The victory put the hosts provisionally in second place on 61 points, two clear of Girona, as they closed in on Real, who host struggling Celta Vigo today.
“Effectiveness is what made this a tough game for us. They did a very good job. It was hard for us,” Barca boss Xavi Hernandez said.
“We competed well, we created clear chances to win more than 1-0. But we’ve won, the three points are welcome.’’
The 16-year-old Yamal gave Barca the lead in the 73rd minute with a brilliant curling shot into the top left-hand corner from the edge of the area for his fourth league goal this season.
“I’m very happy for the win and the clean sheet. I tried to hold the full back and as they left me some space I looked for the shot,” Yamal told DAZN.
“It was a game of hard work. They made it difficult for us. Anything that helps the team is great for me. Scoring a goal with our fans in front of us is always a dream.”
Ilkay Gundogan could have put Barcelona ahead in the 24th minute with a penalty following a VAR check for a challenge on Raphinha. However, Mallorca goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic dived to his left to deny the German international.
SManchester United .......... 2 Everton ............................. 0 ONDON – Everton paid for conceding two first-half penalties at Old Trafford as Manchester United bounced back to winning ways to keep their Champions League hopes for next season alive with a 2-0 victory yesterday.
Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford converted from the spot to extend Everton’s winless run in the Premier League to 11 games.
Victory takes United to within eight points of fourth-placed Aston Villa and three of Tottenham in fifth.
The defeat leaves Everton still
Ljust five points above the relegation zone, having played two more games than 18th-placed Luton. Back-to-back defeats to Fulham and Manchester City had dented a charge from Erik ten Hag’s men towards the top four. But with Villa and Tottenham facing off today, the Red Devils made the most of Everton’s mistakes to close on their rivals for a return to the Champions League.
Alejandro Garnacho scored a goal of the season contender when the sides last met in November with a stunning overhead kick.
The Argentine was again the difference between the sides as it was his quick feet that twice provoked spot-kicks.
James Tarkowski was the first Everton defender lured into a mistimed challenge on 10 minutes and Fernandes rolled home his eighth goal of the season.
Scoring goals has been Everton’s shortfall all season and it was a familiar tale for the Toffees.
A combination of Amadou Onana and Ben Godfrey should have opened the scoring just three minutes in.
Three times Dwight McNeil then tried his luck with his closest effort flashing inches wide.
And even when the visitors did hit the target, Andre Onana produced a flying save to deny James Garner.