Barcelona held by Las Palmas ahead of crucial Atletico match

Barcelona couldn’t manage more than 1-1 against relegation-wary Las Palmas on Thursday, allowing Atletico Madrid to move within five points of the Spanish league lead ahead of their match this weekend.

Barcelona, which has drawn three of its last five league matches, will host Atletico on Sunday needing to halt an eightmatch winning streak by Diego Simeone’s team.

Barcelona was 11 points in front of Atletico just six rounds ago, but could end the weekend only two points in front of the Madrid club.

Lionel Messi put Barcelona ahead with a powerful free kick shot into the top corner in the 20th minute, but the hosts equalized through a penalty kick converted by Jonathan Calleri early in the second half after a controversial hand ball by Barcelona defender Lucas Digne.

Atletico routed Leganes 4-0 on Wednesday with four goals by Antoine Griezmann. of a Premier League home game. The Arsenal crowd was incensed, booing loudly at halftime and at the final whistle.

Arsenal wasted opportunities and the most clear-cut came in the 53rd. Aubameyang stepped up confidently at the penalty spot after fellow new signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan was brought down in the area by Nicolas Otamendi. But City goalkeeper Ederson guessed correctly and easily dived down to catch the effort.

City’s traveling support taunted Wenger and Arsenal fans throughout the match, chanting “Arsene Wenger, we want you to stay,” and “There’s only one Arsene Wenger.”

Yesterday’s results

Premier League Arsenal-Manchester City . . . . . . . . . 0-3 Coupe de France Caen-Lyon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-0

La Liga

FRANCE SPAIN

Betis-Real Sociedad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0-0 Las Palmas-Barcelona . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1 Alaves-Levante . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-0