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Atletico hold Barca in ‘crazy’ eight-goal Copa del Rey semi first leg

BARCELONA: Atletico Madrid conceded a two-goal lead then fought back from two down in a wild 4-4 draw with Barcelona in a Copa del Rey semifinal first leg thriller on Tuesday. After Diego Simeone’s side scored twice in the opening six minutes through Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann, Barca raced through the gears in a high-octane performance. The superb Pedri Gonzalez pulled one back with Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez and Robert Lewandowski going on to score for the Catalan giants. Marcos Llorente netted for Atletico before Alexander Sorloth struck in the 93rd minute to leave the tie perfectly poised ahead of the second leg at the Metropolitano stadium on April 2. “It’s a terrible result when you go 4-2 up... you have to be more careful, these are things we have to learn,” Pedri told Movistar. “Today we started badly but I’ll focus on how the team reacted. “When we got in front we have to be calmer...

Chelsea thrash Southampton, Villa beaten by Palace in race for Champions League

LONDON: Chelsea moved into the Premier League’s top four with a 4-0 demolition of hapless Southampton, but Aston Villa’s hopes of Champions League football next season diminished after a 4-1 defeat at Crystal Palace. After a run of three consecutive defeats, Chelsea badly needed a response against bottom-of-the-table Saints, who are set for an immediate return to the Championship. The Blues duly delivered with three first-half goals through Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Levi Colwill for just a third league win 11 games. Before kick-off at Stamford Bridge, a small band of Chelsea fans gathered to protest against the club’s owners over the club’s form and discontent over ticket prices. Once the action got underway, it was a much-needed comfortable evening for Enzo Maresca’s men which the Italian will hope can restore confidence among his squad. Nkunku took his tally for the season to 14 but only three of those have come in the Premier League as he has often had to play reserve to the injured Nicolas Jackson. The Frenchman stooped to head in a corner at the back post before teeing up Neto to blast home a second. Colwill headed in Neto’s free-kick to make the points safe before the break. Marc Cucurella rounded off the scoring with a calm finish from teenager Tyrique George’s cross. Victory takes Chelsea two points above Manchester City into fourth. Thanks to English clubs’ strong performance in European competition this season, a top-five finish is likely to be enough for a place in next season’s Champions League. Villa had rejuvenated their hopes of a second consecutive season in Europe’s elite competition after beating Chelsea on Saturday. But Unai Emery’s men have won just one of their last seven league games after

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Dubai Sport News

Atletico hold Barca in ‘crazy’ eight-goal Copa del Rey semi first leg

Chelsea thrash Southampton, Villa beaten by Palace in race for Champions League

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