Copa del Rey: Suarez gives Barca advantage
BARCELONA: Barcelona beat Valencia 1-0 on Thursday thanks to a diving header from insatiable striker Luis Suarez to stay on course for a place in the Copa del Rey for a record fifth consecutive year.
Suarez broke Valencia’s resolve in the semi-final first leg by leaping to meet a cross from Lionel Messi in the 67th minute, scoring a 12th goal in 10 games in all competitions to leave Valencia needing to win by two goals in next Thursday’s second leg at Mestalla to advance to their first final in a decade.
UNITED FIGHTING TO BE 2ND BEST: MOURINHO
MANCHESTER: Jose Mourinho effectively conceded the Premier League title to Manchester City, admitting that his side are competing to be “first of the last” in the table.
But Mourinho insisted that there is still plenty for his team to play for in the league this season, with second place and qualification for the Champions League his primary focus.
“It makes me feel that they are doing so, so well that they are not letting the others come close to that, as simple as that,” said Mourinho when asked how City’s dominance
“With the number of points and improvement we have in relation to last season, in normal conditions the distance would be a distance that leaves the fight open and, at the moment, the fight is open for second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth but it is practically closed for the first.”
AUBAMEYANG A DOUBT FOR ARSENAL DEBUT
LONDON: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger may be forced to wait before handing club record signing Pierre-emerick Aubameyang his debut after the Gabon striker missed training on Friday due to illness. Aubameyang joined the Gunners from Borussia Dortmund in a £56 million switch, but may be forced to sit out Saturday’s visit of Everton.
“Aubameyang was sick, so we will assess him,” said Wenger on Friday.