Griezmann helps Atletico hold Real, Barca open gap
MADRID: Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo scored for the 10th game in a row in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to Atletico Madrid but Antoine Griezmann struck back at the other end to keep his side four points ahead of their cross-city rivals.
Yet the Madrid derby draw only pushes Barcelona closer to winning the title as secondplaced Atletico now trail Ernesto Valverde’s runaway leaders by 11 points in the standings.
Ronaldo followed his outrageous bicycle kick strike against Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday by breaking the deadlock in an entertaining contest in the 53rd minute.
Atletico quickly struck back down the other end, with Griezmann tapping into an empty net in the 57th minute to complete an excellent team move also involving Thomas Partey and Vitolo.
BARCA WIN
Barcelona lead the standings on 79 points after beating Leganes 3-1 on Saturday. Atletico have 68 while Real are third on 64 after 31 games.the Catalans will lift a 25th Liga title if they win four of their seven remaining games.
CITY HAVE TO WAIT
MANCHESTER: Manchester City do not have time to mull over Saturday’s 3-2 Premier League defeat to Manchester United and must concentrate on winning their Champions League tie against Liverpool on Tuesday, defender Danilo said.
City could have sealed the league title with a win over their neighbours at the Etihad Stadium but United’s spectacular comeback, led by a brace from midfielder Paul Pogba, in the second half delayed their title celebrations.
WELBECK ON TARGET
LONDON: Danny Welbeck inspired Arsenal to a sixth straight win with two goals and an assist in a hot-tempered 3-2 home win over Southampton, to leave the Saints still rooted in relegation zone. Saints remain three points adrift of safety despite taking the lead through Shane Long and then levelling at 2-2 when Charlie Austin scored. But Welbeck had the last word by heading in the winner moments after he had missed a much easier chance. Sixth-placed Arsenal close to within two points of Chelsea.