ATLETICO STRENGTHEN LEAD, REAL MADRID SLIP UP AGAIN

Atletico Madrid extended their lead at the top of LaLiga to 10 points in the 21st round of matches last weekend after a 4-2 win in Cadiz.

On Sunday, Luis Suarez opened the scoring with a free kick in the 28th minute only for Alvaro Negredo to equalise shortly thereafter, reports Xinhua news agency.

Saul’s curling effort put Atletico ahead on the stroke of halftime. Cadiz would feel aggrieved as referee Gil Manzano didn’t award them a penalty before the break after a clear handball from Koke.

Suarez put Atletico 3-1 ahead from the penalty spot after a clumsy tackle on Thomas Lemar, only for Negredo’s scuffed shot to give Cadiz hope with 20 minutes left to play. Cadiz pressed hard for an equalizer in the closing minutes but Koke tapped home to seal the 4-2 win.

Real Madrid’s title hopes took a further blow on Saturday when they lost 2-1 at home to Levante to suffer their third home defeat of the campaign.

Real Madrid was reduced to 10 men in the seventh minute when central defender Eder Militao was sent off for bringing down Levante forward Sergio Leon, but they took the lead soon afterward as Marco Asensio did well to finish off a rapid counter-attack.

Jose Luis Morales’ equalized after 30 minutes with a spectacular half-volley and although Thibaut Courtois kept Madrid in the game with a 61st-minute penalty save from Roger Marti, Marti got his revenge when he headed home the winning goal in the 77th minute.