Alcacer the unlikely hero for leaders Barcelona
PACO ALCACER was Barcelona’s match-winner, scoring twice as the La Liga leaders make it 10 victories from 11 games with a 2-1 success over Sevilla.
The recalled Alcacer, who endured a disappointing first season at the Nou Camp last year, put Barca ahead midway through the opening half, having been given only his second league start of the campaign.
And he struck again after Guido Pizarro had levelled for Sevilla with a header from a corner with another first-time finish.
Girona followed up their shock win over Real Madrid with a 2-1 victory at Levante.
In Italy, second-half goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Juan Cuadrado spared Juventus’ blushes as they came from behind to inflict a 12th straight Serie A defeat on struggling Benevento.
After Juve’s Douglas Costa had twice hit the woodwork, basement boys Benevento stunned the Allianz Stadium crowd when Amato Ciciretti’s 19th-minute free-kick landed in the back of Wojciech Szczesny’s net.
Higuain volleyed in his fifth goal in four games in all competitions to level things up 12 minutes into the second period and Cuadrado added Juve’s second eight minutes later.
The result lifts Juve above Inter Milan into second, just one point behind leaders Napoli after they were held to a 0-0 draw at Chievo.
Inter Milan also dropped points as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Torino.
Gerson scored twice as Roma beat Fiorentina 4-2 in a thrilling encounter.
Cagliari secured their second home win on the bounce as goals from Luca Ceppitelli and Paolo Farago helped them to a 2-1 victory over Hellas Verona.
Mario Balotelli scored the winner before being sent off as struggling Nice ended their four-match losing streak in Ligue 1 by beating Dijon 1-0.
The former Manchester City and Liverpool man converted a 39th-minute penalty into the bottomright corner to claim his sixth league goal of the campaign after Alassane Plea was pulled down in the area by Jordan Marie.
Balotelli’s afternoon ended on a sour note, however, as he was shown a straight red card in the closing minutes for a tackle from behind on Dijon defender Cedric Yambere.