Late goals from Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi helped Barcelona defeat Real Madrid 2-0 in ‘El Clasico’ at a rain-soaked Camp Nou
MADRID: Late goals from Samuel Eto’o and Lionel Messi helped Barcelona defeat Real Madrid 2-0 in ‘El Clasico’ at a rain-soaked Camp Nou on Saturday to move 12 points clear of their arch-rivals in the title race.
Former Real old boy Eto’o had seen Iker Casillas save his penalty on 70 minutes but picked himself up to break the deadlock seven minutes from time and Messi produced a delicate chip in stoppage time to spark wild celebrations. It was Barca’s first win over Real since November 2005 and was sweet revenge for last season when Real did a league double and Barca had to perform the guard of honour to salute Real as champions at the Santiago Bernabeu before losing 4-1.
“The 12-point cushion over Real is obviously nice, however, we are not just competing against Real,” said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. “There are other teams up there like Villarreal, Valencia and Sevilla who are all dangerous. I said it would be difficult against Real and that we wouldn’t be scoring goals at will. They are the reigning champions and a great side. We really wanted to win this match and kept on going to the final whistle and the goals finally came.”
For new Real Madrid coach Juande Ramos, who took over from Bernd Schuster four days ago, it was a bitter pill to swallow and the former Tottenham Hotspur manager has a mammoth task to help Real win a third consecutive title. Wesley Sneijder was passed fit for the match as Ramos shuffled an injury-plagued Real side who also had their left side weakened through the suspensions of Arjen Robben and Marcelo. Sergio Ramos was asked to play at left back — possibly to try to counter Messi.
In another La Liga contest, Valencia got their title bid back on track coming from behind to defeat ten-man Espanyol 2-1 at home on Saturday.
Tottenham hold Manchester Utd
Sir Alex Ferguson admitted Manchester United had wasted a golden opportunity to reinvigorate their English Premier League title challenge after they were held to a goalless draw by Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. United could have moved to within four points of leaders Liverpool following their surprise draw at home to Hull City, but Ferguson’s team suffered their own frustrations. This stalemate means United remain six points adrift of top spot
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}