BEB Weekend Sports: News!

Real beat Atletico in Madrid derby

Real Madrid inflicted a first defeat of the season on La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid to move within three points of the summit.

Casemiro's 15th-minute header from Toni Kroos' corner gave the hosts a deserved lead at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.

Dani Carvajal's excellent second-half strike from outside the box rebounded off the post and in off the back of Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Real climb to third, while Atletico remain one point above Real Sociedad.

Both sides safely progressed to the Champions League last 16 with 2-0 victories in midweek, as Real beat Borussia Monchengladbach to win Group B and Atletico Madrid overcame RB Salzburg to finish second to Bayern Munich.

In La Liga, Diego Simeone's side had won seven consecutive league games going into the derby, conceding just twice in their first 10 La Liga fixtures.

But it was Real who dominated in the early stages and Oblak produced an excellent save to tip Karim Benzema's shot onto the post before Casemiro's opener.

Simeone responded to a disappointing first half with three changes and his side were much improved after the break, though substitute Thomas Lemar shot agonisingly wide from Marcos Llorente's low cross after 55 minutes.

That miss proved pivotal, as Carvajal's powerful attempt doubled Real's advantage seven minutes later.

Thibaut Courtois produced a good save from Saul Niguez to deny Atletico a late lifeline with their only shot on target, as the visitors fell to a first defeat in 26 league games - since a 1-0 loss in this fixture on 1 February.

Harsh reality check for Chelsea as Everton ends their Unbeaten run

Everton ended Chelsea's 17-game unbeaten run with victory at Goodison Park.

Hosting supporters for the first time this season, Everton's hard-fought win came courtesy of Gylfi Sigurdsson's first-half penalty after Edouard Mendy fouled Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

That woke up Frank Lampard's side who then drew three saves from Jordan Pickford, one of which saw the goalkeeper brilliantly tip Reece James' shot onto the post.

Mason Mount also hit the woodwork for the visitors after 81 minutes, yet they struggled to find the fluidity which has seen them tipped as title challengers this season.

That was in part down to some fine Everton defending, but Ancelotti's side also had good chances, with Richarlison twice having shots saved and Yerry Mina wasting two headers.

"The fans made a lot of difference, it was a total different atmosphere," said Ancelotti, whose side ended a run of one win in seven games, without the injured James Rodriguez, and move up to seventh in the table. 

"We only had 2,000 fans, but it made me happy, and I hope the stadium will be full as soon as possible."

Chelsea's second defeat of the season meant they were denied the chance to go top and remain third.

Joshua outclasses Pulev with a ninth round KO

Unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua mixed power and patience as he knocked out Kubrat Pulev to raise hopes that a historic fight against Tyson Fury could soon be a reality.

The Briton smashed home a hard right hand in round three that forced his mandatory challenger to face a count and then sent him to the canvas with an uppercut seconds later.

Joshua, perhaps fatigued by the chaos, stepped off the gas and allowed Pulev to at least offer some mild threat, but a barrage of uppercuts in the ninth dropped the Bulgarian and a straight right hand wiped him out.

Moments after this fine blend of poise and heavy punching, the 1,000 fans granted access to Wembley Arena roared at the prospect of the IBF, WBA and WBO champion facing WBC title-holder Fury next.

"Whoever has the belts I want to compete with. If that is Tyson Fury, let it be Tyson Fury," said Joshua, 31.

Fellow Briton Fury quickly went on social media and posted: "I want the fight. I want the fight next. I will knock him out inside three rounds. I can't wait to knock him out."

Hamilton 'not 100%' fit for season finale

Lewis Hamilton will head into the final grand prix of the season in Abu Dhabi on Sunday still suffering the after-effects of contracting coronavirus - and in the unfamiliar position of third on the grid.

The seven-time world champion missed last weekend's race in Bahrain with the disease, and although he tested negative in time to travel to Abu Dhabi and race, he is far from over its debilitating effects.

"I am not 100%," Hamilton said after losing out in the fight for pole to Red Bull's Max Verstappen and his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas. 

"I still have some feelings in my lungs, but I would drive if one of my arms were hanging off. That's what we do as racing drivers. It won't be the easiest race but I will manage and give it everything I have got." 

As with many people who have come out of the other side after coronavirus, Hamilton says the main issue for him is one of "overall energy". 

"One of the symptoms is it really drains you," he said. "I have been trying to sleep as much as I can but recharging is not as easy as it has been in the past. 

"Plus, I lost a good amount of weight in that week. So I am not 100% the same as I was last time I raced. But it is in no way going to get in the way of me giving it my all tomorrow."

from Bola Esho's Blog