REAL MADRID got back to winning ways to extend their lead at the top of La Liga to eight points as Karim Benzema’s double sealed a 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao.
The French striker curled the visitors in front after four minutes and with just seven minutes on the clock doubled the lead, finishing off a smart counter-attack.
All of the goals were scored in the opening 10 minutes, with Oihan Sancet getting Bilbao back in the match courtesy of a long-range effort that clipped the post on the way in.
Atletico Madrid’s title hopes continue to fade away after they suffered a fourth straight La Liga loss – this time 2-1 at Granada.
Joao Felix scored with only two minutes on the clock but that was as good as it got for Diego Simeone’s stuttering side as goals from Darwin Machis and Jorge Molina turned the game on its head and saw Granada edge clear of the relegation zone.
He’s 5’11, 18 stone. And he plays full back & centre. Well thats not scary to play against at all…
@Harry O’Callaghan: i thought u said 8 stone i was like ‘thats not heavy at all…’
I don’t know if its just the yanks talking a good game, but I have a bad feeling about this match. Seems like a decent US team I’m told
@Paul Kennedy: you mean they will beat us?
@Thomas Lyster: no they probably won’t, in fact more than likely won’t, but they are on a good run.Our 2/3 string always struggle to put a good performance together . I just hope it isn’t a banana skin after a great year.
@Paul Kennedy: they are starting 4 of the 15 starters from their last WC qualifier. Who told you it was a decent team.
@Paul Kennedy: agree…it will be a genuine test of our depth, of our 2nd / 3rd string. We’ve some quality players playing but it’s a bit cobbled together…but like England last week against Japan…the difference for us is that we don’t have the cavalry like Owen Farrell to come off the bench to rescue us if he goes tits up in the first half
@Paul Kennedy: look Ireland do have to turn up but to be worried when the pack could be Ireland’s starting pack when injuries occur and the back line is full of danger is overkill if you ask me . Ireland will play at pace that guys playing in the US domestic game just can’t handle ..
@Limón Madrugada: the front row is 3rd choice, back row 2nd – 3rd string .I’m probably being overly pessimistic and we will run out comfortable winners. I would just like to see porter , earls, and maybe on stander on bench ,in case it ‘ll goes to shit. However thats the conundrum.We need depth, so need extended squad. The games in autumn against tier 2 teams always seem to descend into messy dogfights.Noway are usa better than us,but that doesn’t mean they won’t beat us.