*Again, Lookman Scores For Atletico Madrid
Newcastle’s long losing run at the Etihad goes on – that’s now 17 on the bounce in yesterday’s (Saturday) particular English Premier League (EPL) fixture – but they did themselves proud. They pushed Manchester City all the way, though it ended 2-1.
This determined win will give Pep Guardiola’s side great heart as they attempt to chase down leaders Arsenal.
It’s now Arsenal, 58 points, Man City, 56 points, after 28 games each.
Nico O’Reilly scored twice in the first half, the 20-year-old rewarding City for a dominant start at the Etihad Stadium with a superb long-range strike and headed them back in front after Lewis Hall hit a deflected equaliser.
Pep Guardiola’s side failed to build on that advantage in a rain-soaked second period but, despite seeing more of the ball, Newcastle failed to get back into the game.
Harvey Barnes went close in stoppage time, but Gianluigi Donnarumma responded with a fine fingertip save.
Buoyed by Arsenal’s unexpected draw against Wolves in midweek, the game had started amid a raucous atmosphere and City were clearly up for the challenge.
Yet the final whistle was greeted as much with relief as celebration as the nerves of the title race became evident.
After the game, Guardiola spoke to TNT Sports, thus: “Massive … Newcastle is incredible … awesome … physicality … speed … really tough but [we] were unbelievable … one step at a time … 70 percent of our players have not played in that situation [a title run-in] and I don’t play … we have to live it … we know every game until the end of the season will be like this … today we had the best crowd of the year … I am really proud to be manager … now is rest and we prepare for Leeds … since Saudi Arabia took over [Newcastle] and Eddie Howe is there, the way they play is unbelievable … that is why I’m really pleased for the way we played today.”
Manchester City’s two-goal hero O’Reilly, the Man of the Match, also spoke to TNT.
He said, breathlessly: “I’m over the moon with tonight … the win was the most important thing … trying to close the gap and apply as much pressure as possible … also very happy with the two goals … it’s a dream of mine to win something like [the Premier League] … there are a lot of games to go … take each game as it comes … I’m enjoying every moment … I’ll take it all in … we always believe we can win games … we just need to keep going.”
Osasuna Stun Real Madrid As Barca Seek To Seize Advantage
Raúl García’s superb 90th-minute strike consigned La Liga leaders Real Madrid to a 2-1 defeat at Osasuna in La Liga on Saturday.
Champions Barcelona trail Madrid by two points but can overtake them today if they beat Levante at Camp Nou.
Álvaro Arbeloa’s Madrid were below par in Pamplona and fell behind to an Ante Budimir penalty.
A video assistant review showed goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had stood on Budimir’s foot. The referee overturned an initial booking for simulation and Budimir calmly converted the spot-kick.
Real levelled when Federico Valverde surged down the left and crossed low for Vinícius Júnior to slide home from close range in the 73rd minute.
The second leg of Madrid’s Champions League playoff against Jose Mourinho’s Benfica on Wednesday seemed to play on their minds as they failed to kick on at El Sadar.
Vinícius, who scored a sensational goal to give Madrid a slender first-leg lead but was then the victim of alleged racial abuse, thought he had earned his team a point.
But as the visitors pressed in added time, the substitute Dani Ceballos lost possession and Raúl Moro released García, who beat Raúl Asencio before firing into the top corner to seal a famous win.
“We lacked punch, teeth and speed up front. We have a big margin to improve and a long road ahead of us, starting on Wednesday in the Champions League against Benfica,” Arbeloa said.
In another game, Atletico Madrid enjoyed a smooth game vs Espanyol with Ademola Lookman scoring a goal with a fine header that went inside the left post in the 58th minute, giving the goalkeeper no chance.
The goal made it 3-1 at that point.
Alexander Sørloth struck twice as Atlético got back to winning ways with an entertaining 4-2 triumph.
Diego Simeone’s side, who are fourth, earned their first victory in four league matches in a goal-riddled game at their Riyadh Metropolitano stadium.
Atlético were able to open up a six-point lead on Real Betis in fifth after the Andalusians drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano.
*PHOTO CAPTION: O’Reilly heads in another goal for Man City.
RESULTS FROM MAJOR DOMESTIC LEAGUES ACROSS EUROPE, SATURDAY 22 FEBRUARY:
ENGLAND: Premier League
Aston Villa – Leeds 1:1
Brentford – Brighton 0:2
Chelsea – Burnley 1:1
West Ham – Bournemouth 0:0
Manchester City – Newcastle 2:1
FRANCE: Ligue 1
Lens – Monaco 2:3
Toulouse – Paris FC 1:1
PSG – Metz 3:0
GERMANY: Bundesliga
Bayern Munich – Eintracht Frankfurt 3:2
FC Koln – Hoffenheim 2:2
Union Berlin – Bayer Leverkusen 1:0
Wolfsburg – Augsburg 2:3
RB Leipzig – Dortmund 2:2
ITALY: Serie A
Juventus – Como 0:2
Lecce – Inter 0:2
Cagliari – Lazio 0:0
NETHERLANDS: Eredivisie
PSV – Heerenveen 3:1
NAC Breda – FC Volendam 1:0
Ajax – Nijmegen 1:1
SPAIN: LaLiga
Real Sociedad – Oviedo 3:3
Betis – Rayo Vallecano 1:1
Osasuna – Real Madrid 2:1
Atl. Madrid – Espanyol 4:2
