Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Villa beat West Brom in entertaining derby

Christian Benteke settled a wild derby with a second-half penalty to give Aston Villa a 4-3 win over West Bromwich Albion in a game that saw six goals scored in the first half.

West Brom was up 2-0 after just nine minutes, but Villa turned the game around to go up 3-2 after Fabian Delph put them ahead in the 37th. Youssuf Mulumbu equalized two minutes before the break before Benteke had the final say when he earned a penalty and slotted the spot kick into the bottom left corner in the 64th.

Benteke has now scored three goals in three games, helping Villa establish itself firmly in midtable. West Brom fell to 15th, just three points outside the relegation zone.

Mourinho fumes at '19th-century' West Ham

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho angrily accused West Ham United of playing "football from the nineteenth century" after they secured a hard-fought 0-0 draw against his side.

Chelsea dominated a one-sided game at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, but were unable to find a way through the obdurate defence of Sam Allarydce's West Ham.

That meant they missed out on the chance to move second in the Premier League table, leaving them three points behind new leaders Manchester City, who they face next at the Etihad Stadium on Monday.

"It's very difficult to play a football match where only one team wants to play," said Mourinho. "Very difficult. A match is about two teams playing. This match was only one team playing, and another team not.

"I told Big Sam (Allardyce), and I repeat my words, that they need points. Because they need points, to come here and not play and do it the way they did, is it acceptable? Maybe yes. Maybe yes.

"I cannot be too critical because if I was in this position, I don't know if I would do the same. Maybe I would. So I don't want to criticise that.

"But at the same time, this is not Premier League. This is not the best league in the world. This is football from the nineteenth century. Too bad."

Asked what he meant by 'nineteenth-century football', Mourinho said: "Pretending injuries, cheating. I don't know if that's the right word. The goalkeeper taking his time not after minute 70, but in the first minute.

"Ten defenders in the box, defenders not putting a foot outside the box. Very basic. But I'm nobody to criticise. They are happy. They get a point."

Allardyce laughed off the criticism after a result that left his side two points from safety in the relegation zone.

"Jose can't take it, can he?" the West Ham manager said. "He can't take it because we've 'out-tacticked' him, outwitted him. He just can't cope. He can tell me all he wants. I don't care, to be honest.

"I love to see Chelsea players moaning at the referee, trying to intimidate him, Jose jumping up and down in his technical area. It's great to see."

Mourinho refused to criticise his team, insisting that they had done everything they could have done to secure a win.

"With my players, I'm happy," he said. "The second half was phenomenal. We tried, we created, we missed goals, the goalkeeper saved, the defenders saved two. I cannot complain with my people, and I am nobody to criticise what they did."

The Chelsea manager admitted that Manchester City's 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur confirmed Manuel Pellegrini's side as favourites for the title – and to beat his own side comfortably next week.

"For how many months have I said the same thing? One team (City) is an end product. The other is a team trying to build," said Mourinho.

"For me, it's not a surprise. We go there next Monday and the result at this moment is 0-0. Are they favourites? Yes. Are they favourites to score again four, five, six goals? Yes. But it's 0-0 now and we go there to compete."

Allardyce was pleased with his side's point, but admitted that injuries to Mohamed Diame and Joey O'Brien had taken some of the gloss off the result.

O'Brien dislocated his shoulder late on and is expected to be out for up to three months, while Diame injured his knee when he fell over the advertising hoardings.

"The two injuries were a problem – Mo when he fell over the advertising boards, and Joey has dislocated his shoulder," Allardyce said.

"That's the third dislocation for us this season. I've not had three in my entire career. But we've got players coming back, players who can't get on the bench, so the squad is strong enough to cope.

"Diame has a bang on his knee where he fell. Joey is 10-12 weeks.

Chelsea charge stalls in West Ham draw

Jose Mourinho was left frustrated as Chelsea missed out on the chance to go second in the Premier League after being held to a goalless draw by struggling West Ham at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Arsenal's failure to beat Southampton on Tuesday had opened the door for Mourinho's team to move above their title rivals.

But they were unable to find a way through against a determined West Ham and remain third, three points behind new leaders Manchester City and two points adrift of Arsenal.

West Ham, meanwhile, remain in the bottom three, one point off the foot of the table.

Chelsea's disappointment in this all-London clash was summed up in added time when Demba Ba diverted Eden Hazard's cross against the post moments before West Ham goalkeeper Adrian saved well from Frank Lampard.

And the outcome appeared to justify Chelsea manager Mourinho's pre-match claim that the Blues will have to wait until next season before making a sustained bid to be champions.

The Portuguese boss had insisted before kick-off he would not allow his focus to drift towards Chelsea's next fixture, a daunting trip to Manchester City.

Certainly, a strong Chelsea line-up confirmed he was taking no chances, despite facing a West Ham side that had lost seven of their last nine games, shipping goals alarmingly along the way.

The opening stages suggested this game would deliver the routine home victory the form book suggested.

An early West Ham corner proved a momentary threat as Chelsea camped out in the visitors' half and laid siege to the Hammers' goal.

Oscar threatened to continue where he had left off against Stoke, when he settled the weekend FA Cup fourth round tie with an outstanding free-kick.

This time the Brazilian threatened in open play, collecting a crossfield ball from Willian before sending a curling, dipping shot beyond Adrian, only to be denied by the crossbar.

The visitors struggled to piece together an attacking move of note although James Tomkins did force a reaction save from Petr Cech when he rose to connect with Stewart Downing's free-kick.

But Chelsea otherwise assumed complete control and West Ham's cause wasn't helped when midfielder Mohamed Diame went off in the 29th minute after injuring himself falling over the pitchside barrier and into the crowd.

Yet, as dominant as Chelsea were, they found it increasingly difficult to find a way to test Adrian.

Ramires struck a powerful rising drive from the edge of the area that only just cleared the bar but the hosts' failure to produce more attempts on goal allowed West Ham to settle, with Chelsea's performance reminiscent of their more frustrating displays earlier this season.

With the playmaking trio of Oscar, Willian and Eden Hazard failing to click as effectively as they have done, Chelsea's attacking efforts grew more frantic.

Chelsea picked up the tempo after the restart but Ramires' sliced volley from just eight yards out summed up their efforts on goal.

And they were given a reminder of how precarious their position was when Andy Carroll missed an excellent chance to give the Hammers a shock lead on the hour.

Downing broke free on the left, keeping his feet as he brushed aside a challenge from Gary Cahill before clipping a cross towards Carroll who completely mishit an attempted volley when a clean strike would almost certainly have beaten Cech.

Mourinho's annoyance was apparent and the Chelsea manager immediately introduced Hammers 'old boy' Frank Lampard and Nemanja Matic.

But West Ham's determined resistance was summed up by the way three defenders charged out to block a Lampard shot shortly after the England midfielder had come on.

Pellegrini warns City not to rest on laurels

Manuel Pellegrini has warned Manchester City's stars not to be distracted by dreams of Premier League glory after they swept to the top of the table with a 5-1 demolition of 10-man Tottenham.

Pellegrini's side moved one point clear of second placed Arsenal thanks to the latest in a growing list of vibrant attacking displays.

City, who have now scored five or more goals in a match eight times this season, tore Tottenham to shreds in ruthless fashion despite losing Argentina striker Sergio Aguero to a suspected hamstring injury just before halftime.

Aguero had already opened the scoring and Yaya Toure's controversial penalty, awarded after a challenge which led to Tottenham's Danny Rose being dismissed, was followed by further strikes from Edin Dzeko, Stevan Jovetic and Vincent Kompany.

City's imperious display at White Hart Lane on Wednesday extended their unbeaten run to 20 matches in all competitions and took their goal tally for the season to 115.

Remarkably 21 of those goals have come in City's last five matches, a majestic run of form which has prompted many pundits, as well as Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood, to hail Pellegrini's team as champions elect.

But Pellegrini knows there is still a long way to go before the destination of the title is decided and the Chilean is determined to keep his players' feet on the ground.

"We are not thinking about the title," Pellegrini said. "It's always very important to be top but we have to play 15 more games.

"It depends what we do in every match, we have to fight for 45 more points.

"We don't have such a big advantage that we can think the Premier League is finished.

"Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool also have chances of fighting for the title."

Pellegrini's caution is understandable, but the evidence is mounting that City are the cream of the crop in the Premier League this season.

They enjoyed 66 percent of possession against Spurs and had 24 shots, and all this against a team who had won five of their last six league matches and are regarded as genuine contenders for a place in next season's Champions League.

Tottenham claimed that referee Andre Marriner was wrong to give a penalty for Rose's second half challenge on Dzeko when the score was only 1-0.

But Pellegrini insisted his team would have won regarded of whether or not Rose stayed on the pitch.

"I don't think that was the big decision because before the red card we missed at least five clear chances," he said.

"It might be our best away performance of the season. We played against a good team in a very good moment for them.

"It is not easy to score here but we got five and also defended well. The performance was complete."

Pellegrini's only concern is how long Aguero will be sidelined, with the Argentine set to learn the extent of the injury when he is checked by City's medical staff on Thursday.

Even without Aguero, City should remain a formidable force and despite bemoaning the dismissal of Rose, Sherwood expects them to win the Premier League for the second time in three years.

"I think Danny's making a last-ditch tackle so he's having to lunge in there a bit. He clearly wins the ball," Sherwood said.

"It made a difference to the scoreline but they were excellent, weren't they?

"You've got to hold your hands up. Even before the sending-off, they come at you from all angles and they are the best team in the league by a country mile.

"We've played the champions today, without question in my opinion.

"Unfortunately for everyone they play, they don't just score one and shut up shop, they keep coming. If anyone is going to win the league you want a team like this to do it because they entertain.

"They've got to win it now. I just think these guys are on a different level to anything in the league.

Players can still make WCup - Nwanu

Former Nigeria international, Chidi Nwanu believes it is not too late for Nigerian Players outside the mainstream Super Eagles to make the Brazil 2014 Fifa World Cup.

20 Years ago this year, Nigeria qualified for the world cup for the first time then as it is now a lot was made of who should make the final squad to the US.

Central Defender Chid Nwanu then of Anderlecht of Belgium had been strangely left out of the Super Eagles during the qualifiers and the subsequent triumph at the Tunisia '94 Afcon considering that he was one of the best defenders Nigeria had in Europe at the time.

However, come the world cup, he not only made the squad but was the first choice centre-back alongside the giant Uche Okechukwu. Nwanu spoke exclusively to supersport.com at his home in Diest, Belgium.

Asked how he managed to force himself into that team " I was not part of the team initially for reasons outside of football in all honesty. So, I kept my head down, worked hard on my game, continued to play well for my club and believed that one day I will be given the chance again. I had told Westerhof (then Nigerian coach) that one day you will ignore all of this and come for me. I believed it".

The Dutch man did eventually as it turned out to which Chid Nwanu is quick to pay tribute to him "I congratulate Westerhof for he defied all the schemes around him and called me to say 'Chidi, come play for me, your country needs you'. He was a man who wanted results, he did not care for friends or family and that is what sets apart great coaches/managers."

Current Chelsea football club Director of Football Mike Emenalo was also another person who made the US '94 squad without being part of the qualifiers. "We were room-mates, Emenalo and I during the world cup, during the training camps in Europe. Emenalo had made up bis mind he was going to make this team. Playing for Moleenbeek at the time he wanted to improve his standing in the game and the world cup was a genuine target". Nwanu recollects.

Many Nigerians at the time and even some today still quarrel that Emenalo took the place of Nduka Ugbade in the team. Chidi Nwanu saw it differently. "The determination and discipline Emenalo showed in training, his very high skill level meant that Westerhof had no choice but to take the better of the players vying for those defensive positions"

In the current situation there seems to be a few players looking in from the outside who did not play in the qualifiers but who are qualified to play for Nigeria. Chidi Nwanu has this advice for them "play regularly and consistently for your clubs. Keep fit. Keep your technique sharp be alert, so that should ever be called up for a training camp you will show what you are made of"

A man incredibly passionate about the Nigerian national team he says "every day I pray that God Himself makes it possible that only those good enough to play for Nigeria actually make the final squad. I believe that not even the coaches will be able to stop those who God has destined to be in Brazil" he concluded.

Big match feature: Nigeria v Ghana

Nigeria will go into their semi final clash at the on going Chan 2014 Championship against the Black Stars buoyed by their near miraculous come from behind him win against Morocco and will hope to edge out Coach Maxwell Konadu and his charges.

The Super Eagles will look to beat their neigbours and rivals for the first time in a senior competitive match since 2010.

The clash is another meeting of two eternal rivals, and the West African derby promises to be a tough contest as both coaches have been talking tough in the build up to the match.

Nigeria and Ghana's journey to the final has been a case of contrasting fortunes as Nigeria's debut in the tournament looked to be over before the tournament started as the Super Eagles lost to Mali 2-1 in their first Group A game but bounced back to hit seven goals in two games to reach the quarters.

Ghana on the other hand have been goal shy ,albeit the Blacks Stars have been solid defensively only allowing one goal into their net as against Nigeria's four in the group stages.

Head to Head in all competitions

Nigeria's rivalry with Ghana is as old as the two countries and has been nothing short of exciting and is unarguably the best derby in West Africa.

The first real competitive match between Ghana and Nigeria took place on August 28, 1960, according to Fifa's official website., but other historians date it back to May 28, 1950 where Nigerian won via a lone goal.

Ghana has been Nigeria's nemesis in very vital matches on the continent and the last time Nigeria beat Ghana in a senior competitive match was at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt where the Eagles won by 1-0.

The most recent game between the two countries ended in favor of the Black Stars on January 28, 2010: where Ghana won 1 - 0 at the Africa Cup of Nations Run to the semis

Ghana started their 2014 Chan campaign with a lone goal victory over Congo followed by a 1-1 draw against Libya and then edging out Ethiopia via a penalty kick.

Another penalty goal was all the Black Stars needed to edge out DR Congo in the decisive quarter-final match.

Nigeria has put four goals past at leats two opponents prior to this stage. Apart from The 2-1 reverse against Mali in the first group game, Nigeria has chalked up 12 goals while conceding eight. Surely a contrast of styles might be in the offing.

Injury report:

Nigeria's Ikenna Paul Hilary is out of the tournament proper and pacy attacker Gbolahan Salami is a major doubt after picking up a knock in the semi final against Morocco. Shehu Abdullahi, who was substituted against Morocco has recovered from his knock and is available for selection. Solomon Kwanbe is however back and available for selection.

Ghana will welcome back Michael Akuffo, Abeiku Ainooson and Kwabena Adusei who picked up knocks in the quarter-final match with DR Congo and will be available for selection.

What the coaches are saying:

Keshi:" "This one was something else though. I just want to say thanks to my players for the character and the mentality that they brought in the second half, they're just awesome."

Keshi said the secret to the stunning fightback was to pay less respect to their opponents after the sides came out for the second half. (After the Morocco game)

"Morocco is Morocco, that chapter is closed, we have forgotten about it. Ghana is what is on our minds now." (On the Ghana game)

Konadu: "It is important to acknowledge that we have been winning. That is why we are progressing in this competition. The progress comes as a result of wins and the wins come because we have been scoring. Even if it is one goal that is what has brought us to this point," he said.

"Our attack has been such that we only manage one goal per match, but we have been defending very well. That for me is a sign of a team that is progressing and I don't think it is a bad thing to defend very well.

"It is also important to score goals but in cases when you score one goal in a match and manage to defend it, that means you will win."

Probable line-ups: Nigeria - Agbim; Kwambe, Egwuekwe, Odunlami, Esieme, Uzochukwu, Ali, Shehu, Ede, Imenger

Ghana: Adams, Ainooson, Nuru, Adusei, Tijani, Akuffu, Jordan, Attobrah, Annorbaah, Bancey , Yahaya

Stars sink Eagles in thriller

The second semi-finals for the Orange African Nations Championship 2014 that took place on January 29,2014 between Nigeria and Ghana at the Free State Rugby Stadium-Bloemfonteim, South Africa was the 49th time Nigeria played with Ghana.

The first half which was pretty even and attracted three yellow cards (one card was given to Adusei of Ghana while Ejike and Ugonna Uzochukwu were given yellow cards in the 35th and 45th minutes respectively) ended up goalless as Abubakar Ibrahim’s long range attempt just missed the target while another hit the Ghana woodwork.

The second half was full of action and also ended goalless as Adusei of Ghana collected the second yellow card that saw him off the pitch because of the kick he mated on Abubakar earlier.

The whole 120 minutes that included 30 minutes extra time ended up without scores from any of the sides, after Nigeria playing against a 10 man squad missed a lot of scoring chances.

The unimaginable happened when two Nigerians missed their penalties that resulted in the defeat.

Ghana will now face Libya in their second Chan final appearance

Neymar's father reveals Barca deal details

The father of Brazil star Neymar on Tuesday denied signing a pre-contract with Barcelona until his son had left Santos for the Liga giants – but did admit to receiving €10 million in 2011 to guarantee a move by 2014.

Denying any irregularities Neymar senior told a press conference in Santos: "I asked Barcelona to drop confidentiality (concerning a contract) so everything was transparent and clean. I don't owe anything."

The Neymar transfer has engendered controversy in Catalonia and forced the resignation of Barca's former president Sandro Rosell owing to a judicial wrangle over the deal.

The transfer cost €57.1 million, plus a two-million-euro bonus if the 21-year-old star makes the finals of the Fifa World Player of Year award.

Neymar also will earn an annual salary of €11.3 million to be paid over five years.

His father denied media reports that he had himself earned €40 million on the deal via family firm N&N for last May's transfer, which just preceded Brazil's Confederations Cup success.

"Neymar could only leave Santos to go to Barcelona. My job was to safeguard and reinforce the gain," said Neymar senior, adding he could easily have earned a bigger cut.

"I am sure I could have picked up €120 million. (But) it is absurd for people to talk when they don't know the details and I did not receive a €40 millions advance," he insisted.

Spanish lawyers are now poring over the terms of the deal after a Barcelona club member made a complaint.

According to the Spanish court resolution released last week, Barca paid €40 million to N&N for breaking a previous agreement to sign Neymar in 2014 and sign him a year earlier.

Barcelona said the entire deal cost €86.2 million: €57.1 million for the transfer, €10 million in a signing bonus, €2.7 million in commissions, €4 million in marketing, €2.5 million for Neymar's foundation and €9.9 million in scouting and collaborative deals.

Barca say Neymar's father agreed to let the club reveal the deal details because he believed the scandal over the signing was "unfair".

Rosell stepped down on Thursday and was replaced by Josep Maria Bartomeu, who made the details public.

Messi assists keep Barca on course

Lionel Messi has set the bar so high for himself that even a brief dip in scoring form immediately raises eyebrows but it also allows other aspects of his game to be recognised.

The Argentina forward's incredible goals tally in recent years - he has netted 47, 53, 73 and 60 goals respectively in the past four seasons - has unsurprisingly stolen the limelight from the number of assists he makes for his teammates.

But he is also an important link to his fellow attackers, often dropping deep to collect the ball from a midfielder or defender before passing it on or making a trademark weaving dash towards goal.

Opponents desperately trying to thwart him are dragged out of position and that creates space for Barca's other forwards like Pedro and Alexis Sanchez or roving playmaker Cesc Fabregas.

Messi, who has not scored in three La Liga appearances this month since returning from injury, set up all three of winger Cristian Tello's goals in last week's King's Cup quarterfinal, first leg at Levante.

Barca won the game 4-1 and are overwhelming favourites to advance to the semifinals when the teams meet for the return leg at the Nou Camp on Wednesday (2100 GMT).

"Messi can do whatever he wants because he is capable of everything," Barca coach Gerardo Martino told a news conference after Sunday's 3-0 La Liga win at home to Malaga.

Messi, who has been scoring freely in the Cup and netted four against Getafe in the last 16 in a 6-0 aggregate success, set up Pedro for the second and also had a hand in the third scored by Alexis.

"He is very precise in assisting teammates and he draws the attention of opponents," added Martino, who like Messi hails from the Argentine city of Rosario.

The four-times World Player of the Year has made 148 goal assists for club and country during his career, 123 for Barcelona and 25 for Argentina, according to unofficial Twitter account @messistats.

SURPRISING SANTANDER

"Messi always brings us a great deal," centre back Gerard Pique, a contemporary of the Argentine at Barca's academy, told reporters on Sunday.

"When he is not scoring he makes a lot of assists and he gives fluidity to our play," added the Spain international.

If Barca get past Levante as expected, they will play La Liga rivals Real Sociedad or third-tier Racing Santander in next month's two-legged semifinals.

Santander are the surprise packages of this year's competition but need to overturn a 3-1 deficit when they host Sociedad on Thursday (2000) if they are to advance.

On the other side of the draw, holders Atletico Madrid take a 1-0 lead to Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday (1900) and Real Madrid, who lost 2-1 to Atletico in last year's final, have the same advantage when they host Espanyol on Tuesday (2000).

Atletico are riding high in La Liga and stayed level with Barca at the top on 54 points thanks to Sunday's 4-2 win at Rayo Vallecano, a point ahead of third-placed Real Madrid.

"We hope now to put in a good performance in Bilbao and then focus on the following week because each game takes a lot out of us and obviously we notice it," coach Diego Simeone, another Argentine, told a news conference.

Messi's creativity as important as goals

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino hailed compatriot Lionel Messi's passing ability after the Catalans moved back to the top of La Liga with a 3-0 win over Malaga at the Camp Nou on Sunday.

Messi's run without a goal on league duty stretched to eight games dating back to September, but after Gerard Pique had given the hosts the lead, he helped create Barca's second and third goals that were finished off by Pedro Rodriguez and Alexis Sanchez.

The four-time World Player of the Year had also shown his ability to function as a playmaker with three assists for Cristian Tello in Barca's 4-1 win over Levante in midweek.

And Martino isn't concerned how long Messi's goal drought continues as long as he continues to contribute to Barca victories.

"With respect to Leo, I don't know what can I say. Nothing surprises me with him. He controls the game well, passes the ball well, he is a good finisher, he can press and recover the ball. He is a footballer that can do everything.

"He is very precise in his passes because he can attract the opposition towards him and then hand it off. He sees passes that most people can only see while watching the game on TV or in the stands, not ones that you can normally see on the field.

"He has an ability not only in the precision of his passing, but also the timing which is amazing.

"If he is succeeding in that facet of his game, then it doesn't matter if he scores."

Victory ensured Barca continued their amazing run of finishing every round of La Liga fixtures at the top of the pile for 59 consecutive games.

However, it was also an important response after a difficult week for the club off the field following the resignation of president Sandro Rosell in the face of legal action over the signing of Neymar last year.

Martino, though, highlighted the mental strength the Barca squad had shown last season to win the league with a club record 100 points despite the serious illnesses suffered by then coach Tito Vilanova and defender Eric Abidal.

"During the last few years these players have faced up to some very important problems. Very serious problems that don't just deal with institutional questions, but health problems for teammates and coaches and they have always kept going.

"They understand that they have to do their talking on the pitch. It has been a very difficult week, but they have shown great professionalism.

Barca back on top, Atletico see off Rayo

Barcelona put a stressful week off the field after the resignation of club president Sandro Rosell behind them to move back to the top of La Liga with a 3-0 win over Malaga on Sunday.

With new president Josep Maria Bartomeu watching on from the directors' box, Gerard Pique swept home the opener from Xavi's corner five minutes before halftime.

Pedro Rodriguez then made the game safe with a neat turn and finish from Lionel Messi's pass 10 minutes after the restart.

Alexis Sanchez slotted home the third moments later from Pedro's cross for his 12th goal of the season.

However, it was to be another frustrating evening for Messi in front of goal as his La Liga goal drought stretched to eight games.

Atletico Madrid remain level on 54 points with the Catalans as they were 4-2 victors at Rayo Vallecano earlier on Sunday with both leaders a point ahead of third-placed Real Madrid.

Sanchez came within inches of giving Barcelona the perfect start as his chip over Willy Caballero came back off the post after a fine through ball from Cesc Fabregas.

Victor Valdes then had to beat away Duda's free-kick at the other end, but Barca were soon back on the attack and Messi nearly had his much-desired goal when he also dinked the ball beyond Caballero only to see it drift just past the post.

However, it was only a matter of time before Barcelona made the breakthrough and it was Pique who was in the right place to fire home Sanchez's knockdown for his second goal in as many league games.

Caballero kept the hosts at bay at the beginning of the second period as he made fine saves from Sanchez and Fabregas, while Pique headed another Xavi corner off the post.

Pedro finally found a way past the Argentine keeper as he received Messi's pass before cutting inside to curl the ball accurately into the bottom corner.

Another Messi dash started the move that led to the third goal as he again fed Pedro and this time the Spanish international squared for Sanchez to tap home.

Atletico kept up the pressure on Barca with a comfortable win of their own at struggling Rayo.

David Villa put the visitors in front after just eight minutes with his 11th goal of the season, but Diego Simeone's men were thankful to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois moments later as he saved Jonathan Viera's penalty.

Arda Turan doubled Atletico's advantage at the end of a fine team move involving Diego Costa and Jose Sosa before Viera's deflected strike had briefly given Rayo hope.

The visitors restored their two-goal cushion before halftime, though, as Turan slotted home Gabi's free-kick from a tight angle at the back post.

Saul Niguez's then put through his own net under pressure from Costa to make it 4-1 before Joaquin Larrivey's headed consolation rounded off the scoring.

With top-scorer Costa still to score in seven games in 2014, Villa's return to goalscoring form has come just at the right time and he slotted away the opener confidently from Costa's unselfish cut-back.

And Spain's all-time leading scorer was delighted to net his second goal in as many league games.

"I am very happy to be able to help the team get the victory and score a goal," said Villa.

"It is very important to continue winning, particularly away from home."

Athletic Bilbao also enhanced their chances of playing Champions League football next season with a crushing 5-1 win over Osasuna to move five points clear of Villarreal in fourth.

Real in ominous form before crunch matches

Real Madrid began the season shakily under new coach Carlo Ancelotti but are still fighting on three fronts and looking in ominous form before a series of crunch games in coming weeks.

As well as putting them through to the semi-finals of the King's Cup, Tuesday's 1-0 victory at home to Espanyol set a club record of eight games without conceding a goal, beating the previous best set in the 1994-95 season.

While none of those opponents could be considered among Spain's elite, Real's run of 10 straight wins in all competitions means they are brimming with confidence before the Cup semi-finals early next month.

Holders Atletico Madrid, who beat Real 2-1 in last year's final, and Athletic Bilbao are their possible opponents in the last four and they also play at fourth-placed Bilbao in La Liga on Sunday.

They then host Villarreal, who are fifth, the following week before travelling to Germany to play Schalke 04 in their Champions League last 16, first leg at the end of February.

Ancelotti, who has calmed the waters at the club following a turbulent three seasons under Jose Mourinho, said one reason for the team's recent success is a big improvement in defence.

Scoring goals has not been a problem, especially with Fifa Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo in scintillating form, but they leaked far too many during the first few months of the season.

Ancelotti appears to have found the solution and also praised the players' professionalism, which he said was the reason why they were in such good shape physically despite a gruelling calendar.

"Above all our play is more natural now," Ancelotti told a news conference after Tuesday's Espanyol game.

"This is a result of work done in previous months," he added.

"All the players train very well every day, with a lot of focus and that is indispensable if you want to be in shape."

Ancelotti pinpointed his defenders, particularly centre backs Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Nacho Fernandez, while noting that the rest of the team also made an important contribution to repelling opposition attacks.

"We have a balance in defence because the entire team works to get the ball back quickly," he said.

"Pepe, Nacho, who played very well today and with a lot of confidence, and Sergio Ramos are at a very high level."

BITTER-SWEET

Another club record to fall on Tuesday was the number of minutes without conceding previously held by goalkeeper Paco Buyo and also set in the 1994-95 campaign.

Captain Iker Casillas has now gone seven games and a total of 682 minutes without letting in a goal, although he may have bitter-sweet feelings about the achievement as he has lost his regular place in the starting lineup.

Casillas fell out with Mourinho last term and Diego Lopez took over as first-choice keeper and this season Ancelotti has decided to play Lopez in La Liga and Casillas in the two knockout competitions, the King's Cup and the Champions League.

The 32-year-old, who also captains Spain, had been a fixture for Real for more than a decade and has hinted that he may seek an exit if he doesn't feel he is playing enough.

"It's a fantastic individual record for Iker but the whole team deserves it for their work," Ancelotti said.

"But also for Iker, who is going through a certain situation," he added.

"He hasn't lost any confidence. He is working with a lot of character and is an example for everyone.

Real ease past Espanyol into semis

Real Madrid set up a King's Cup semifinal against holders Atletico Madrid or Athletic Bilbao when they beat 10-man Espanyol 1-0 in their quarterfinal, second leg on Tuesday for a 2-0 aggregate success.

Real lost 2-1 to Atletico at their own Bernabeu stadium in last year's final and will be keen to avenge that bitter defeat, which meant they ended last season without any silverware, if they face their city rivals in the last four.

Atletico have a 1-0 advantage over Bilbao from last week's first leg at the Calderon and play at the Basque club's new San Mames arena on Wednesday.

Real were quickly into their stride on a chilly night in the Spanish capital and their Spain playmaker Xabi Alonso unlocked the Espanyol defence with a magisterial seventh-minute pass.

Forward Jese sped clear of the Espanyol defence before clipping a clinical effort into the net past goalkeeper Kiko Casilla from a tight angle.

Casilla made several fine saves to deny Cristiano Ronaldo but any faint hope Espanyol had of getting back into the tie disappeared when midfielder Victor Sanchez earned a second yellow card and was sent off 13 minutes from time.

Real keeper and captain Iker Casillas barely touched the ball and Carlo Ancelotti's side have now gone eight matches without conceding a goal, a club record.

The first leg of the semifinals is next week with the return a week later.

On the other side of the draw, record King's Cup winners Barcelona have a 4-1 advantage when they host Levante at the Nou Camp on Wednesday and would play Real Sociedad or third-tier Racing Santander in the semifinals.

Sociedad are 3-1 up thanks to their victory in San Sebastian last week and the Santander players have threatened to boycott Thursday's return in protest over unpaid wages.

Iniesta back for Levante clash

Barcelona quartet Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol, Alex Song and Martin Montoya have recovered from minor injuries and are included in the squad for Wednesday's King's Cup quarterfinal second leg at home to Levante.

Playmaker Iniesta was sidelined for a couple of weeks with a bruised knee while centre back Puyol hurt his left leg in last week's 4-1 first-leg triumph.

Midfielder Song and full back Montoya had calf and Achilles problems respectively and all four missed Sunday's 3-0 La Liga win at home to Malaga.

With the record King's Cup winners holding a comfortable lead, Barca coach Gerardo Martino has rested regulars Xavi, Sergio Busquets and Dani Alves for the game at the Nou Camp, the club said on their website (www.fcbarcelona.es).

Barca are on course to meet La Liga rivals Real Sociedad or third tier Racing Santander in the last four.

Sociedad have a 3-1 lead ahead of Thursday's return leg at their Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian but the Santander players have threatened to boycott the match in protest over unpaid wages and have demanded the cash-strapped club's president and board step down.

On the other side of the draw, holders Atletico Madrid lead Athletic Bilbao 1-0 before their trip to the Basque Country on Wednesday.

Real Madrid, who lost 2-1 to Atletico in last year's final, have the same advantage when they host Espanyol at the Bernabeu later on Tuesday.