FOOTBALL ROUND-UP MESSI WINNER SEES BARCA TRIUMPH OVER ATLETICO
Madrid, Spain - Lionel Messi delivered a major boost to Barcelona's Spanish League title hopes by scoring a late winner in a 1-0 victory at Atletico Madrid on Sunday. Messi came up trumps again for Barca at the Wanda Metropolitano, where an even contest looked destined to finish goalless.
"In matches that are close and intense, having Leo is always a big advantage," said Barca coach Ernesto Valverde.
The Argentinian's 86th-minute strike, after a neat one-two with Luis Suarez, keeps Barcelona level on points with Real Madrid at the top of the table while leaving Atletico with a mountain to climb if it is to rejoin the race. Atletico now sit six points adrift of both Real and Barca, with those two also having a game in hand which will be played out in the season's first Clasico at the Camp Nou on December 18.
"We need points," said Atletico coach Diego Simeone. "We are not far from them but we are worried. I am happy with the way we are playing but I will not smile at that because that does not bring us points."
Antoine Griezmann was whistled on his return to his former club, whom he left for US$132.3mn to join Barcelona in the close season, while toy rats were dropped on the plaque that still bears his name outside the stadium.
But Messi scored his 12th goal of the season and sixth in his last five games. He has now 25 in 27 in the league against Atletico although this was his first at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Barcelona was fortunate not to be reduced to ten men in the second half when Gerard Pique escaped a second yellow card for a late challenge on Alvaro Morata. It rode its luck in the opening 20 minutes too, marooned in its own half and able only to survive thanks in large part to its goalkeeper.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen made two excellent point-blank saves although was given the chance to as Mario Hermoso found himself free at the back post but shot straight at him before Morata met Kieran Trippier's corner but failed to head into the corner.
Messi delivered the game's defining moment late into the match. Thomas Lemar's crossfield ball was cut out and on the break, Messi drifted in from the right, past two tired Atletico defenders. He bounced the ball off Suarez and steered the ball into the bottom right-hand corner.
Earlier on Sunday, third-placed Sevilla stayed just one point behind Real and Barca with a 1-0 victory over Leganes. Julen Lopetegui's side extended its unbeaten run in all competitions to ten matches as Brazilian centreback Diego Carlos hit a 63rd-minute winner at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Other results: Athletic Bilbao 2 Granada 0, Espanyol 2 Osasuna 4, Getafe 4 Levante 0.
Iheanacho the hero
Leicester, UK - Kelechi Iheanacho was the unlikely hero as Leicester came from behind to beat Everton 2-1 and close the gap on Liverpool at the top of the English Premier League (EPL) to eight points.
The Nigerian had not played a single minute of EPL this season prior to being summoned from the bench just after the hour mark, but Iheanacho teed up Jamie Vardy's equaliser before scoring the winner deep into stoppage time.
"The best teams have spirit," said Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers of his side's fightback. "This is a team that is so strong together. Kelechi is a wonderful demonstration of someone who trains with a great attitude every day. "It was about giving him the confidence and reinforcing his role. The rest was him. I'm absolutely delighted for him."
Richarlison had given the visitors a shock lead at the King Power. Djibril Sidibe broke upfield from right wing-back and his cross was bulleted home by Richarlison with a diving header.
Iheanacho first effort was too close to Jordan Pickford, but he got in behind the Everton defence again moments later and squared for Vardy for score his 13th goal of the season.
Silva's men appeared to have weathered the Leicester storm, but deep into added time Iheanacho collected Ricardo Pereira's pass, turned inside and found the bottom corner. A nervous wait ensued with the linesman's flag raised, but a VAR check ruled the former Manchester City man onside.
Watford sacks coach
London, UK - Watford sacked its second manager of the season on Sunday with Quique Sanchez Flores leaving the club bottom of the English Premier League table. The Spaniard managed just one win in ten league games in charge during his second spell since September.
Other results: Italian League: Parma 0 AC Milan 1, Lazio 3 Udinese 0, Napoli 1 Bologna 2, Verona 1 Roma 3.
German League: Borussia Moenchengladbach 4 Freiburg 2, VfL Wolfsburg 2 Werder Bremen 3.
French League: Nantes 2 Toulouse 1, Rennes 2 Saint-Etienne 1, Strasbourg 1 Lyon 2, Lille 1 Dijon 0, Montpellier 4 Amiens 2, Nice 3 Angers 1, Nimes 1 Metz 1, Reims 1 Bordeaux 1.