ASENSIO INSPIRES MADRID AS TETCHY NEYMAR SEES RED
MARCO ASENSIO had a hand in two goals as Real Madrid recorded their fourth successive league win with a routine 3-0 success over Eibar. Spain midfielder Asensio saw his inswinging cross diverted into the net by Eibar defender Paulo Oliveira with 18 minutes played at the Bernabeu before sweeping in the second 10 minutes later. Champions Real, who had dropped seven points in their opening four home games, never looked in danger of slipping up in this one and substitute Marcelo completed the scoring late on to leave them third in the table, five points adrift of leaders Barcelona. Atletico Madrid are a point and a place behind their city rivals following a 1-0 victory at Celta Vigo. Kevin Gameiro’s first goal of the season proved decisive at Balaidos, with the Frenchman hooking home from close range in the 28th minute. Barcelona remain top as they had won 2-0 at home to Malaga on Saturday. Valencia are second after they beat Sevilla 3-0. Meanwhile, AC Milan defender Leonardo Bonucci yesterday became the first Serie A player to be sent off following a review by the video assistant referee (VAR). Bonucci was dismissed in the first half of Milan’s 0-0 home draw against Genoa for elbowing Aleandro Rosi in the head as he jostled for position at a free kick. The referee did not initially show a red card but the decision came after the VAR looked at the incident. Milan are now in 11th place. Sami Khedira scored a hat-trick as 10-man Juventus recovered to beat Udinese 6-2 at the Dacia Arena. Stipe Perica powered home the opener for Udinese, but Brazilian Samir’s own goal levelled things in the 14th minute. Khedira headed in Juan Cuadrado’s cross to turn the match around shortly before Mario Mandzukic was dismissed after collecting two bookings. Khedira got his second in the 59th minute and three minutes from time the Germany midfielder clinched his first career hat-trick. In France, Edinson Cavani rescued a point for PSG after Neymar had been sent off for the Paris side away to Marseille. The Brazilian was booked in the 85th minute and moments later was dismissed after his head made contact with Lucas Ocampos who went down in theatrical fashion. Neymar had cancelled out the opener from Luiz Gustavo before Florian Thauvin put the home side ahead in the 85th minute. Cavani’s free kick was the last act of a hugely entertaining game.