LaLiga: Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid to extend lead at the top
Barcelona are now three points clear at the top of LaLiga with a tense 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
Capitalising on champions Real Madrid’s defeat by Villarreal, Barcelona set out to make a statement victory at the Metropolitano.
Shorn of suspended top scorer Robert Lewandowski, Xavi selected Ansu Fati up front in his place, but it was Dembele who made the difference, finishing a slick move in the 22nd minute.
Atletico ramped up the pressure, with the superb Ronald Araujo clearing off the line from Antoine Griezmann at the death, but Diego Simeone’s side could not find an equaliser.
Both teams finished with 10 men after Ferran Torres and Stefan Savic were sent off for brawling with each other on the floor as tempers soured.
Defeat means Atletico languish in fifth, 14 points behind leaders Barcelona.
The victory earns Xavi some breathing room after criticism and fills Barcelona’s sails with wind ahead of the imminent Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Real Sociedad beat Almeria 2-0 on Sunday and to cut the gap on league leaders Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Struggling Sevilla earned a crucial 2-1 win over Getafe to climb out of the relegation zone on goal difference, while Real Betis moved fourth with a 2-1 win at Rayo Vallecano.
Real Sociedad’s veteran Spanish playmaker David Silva capitalised on a defensive confusion in Almeria’s box to fire home the opener just after halftime.
Alexander Sorloth drilled home his sixth league goal of the season five minutes later to extend La Real’s lead at the Power Horse Stadium.
The Norwegian forward collected Mikel Merino’s ball and cut into the area before beating Fernando Martinez at his near post.
Sociedad were not at their best but still managed to inflict promoted side Almeria’s first home defeat since September, leaving them 14th.
The victory leaves Alguacil’s side high on confidence ahead of next weekend’s Basque derby clash with Athletic Bilbao.
Jorge Sampaoli’s Sevilla won for the first time in seven league games against Getafe thanks to goals from Marcos Acuna and Rafa Mir.
Borja Mayoral netted late on for Getafe to set up a tense finale but Sevilla held on to move 17th.
Real Betis earned a 2-1 win at Rayo Vallecano in an entertaining game. The Andalusians took the lead when Rayo defender Alejandro Catana headed the ball against teammate Ivan Balliu and it bounced into their own net.
Sergio Camello levelled after 20 minutes but Luis Henrique sent Betis ahead with a superb individual strike.
Izi Palazon lashed home for the hosts after the break but the goal was disallowed for offside, while Raul de Tomas made his second Rayo debut from the bench and missed a late chance to level.
