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Karim Benzema scored an equalizer to earn draw at Real Betis

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Karim Benzema secured a point for Real Madrid as the Frenchman staged a comeback in a thrilling game at Real Betis on Sunday.

The newly appointed manager Zinedine Zidane insisted Real Madrid still have a chance of winning La Liga even after drawing 1-1 at Benito Villamarin. The French football legend Zidane suffered his first setback since succeeding Rafael Benitez in the dugout. Zidane guided Real Madrid to 5-0 and 5-1 victories over Deportivo and Sporting Gijon in his first games.

Real Madrid were unable to close the gap at the Primera Division Summit. They are placed third, sitting four points behind the leaders Barcelona with a game in hand. Zidane’s men failed to capitalize on Atletico Madrid’s goalless draw with Sevilla earlier in the day.

The hosts took a shocking lead after seven minutes when Alvaro Cejudo unleashed a brilliant volley into the top corner from the edge of the box. Real Betis executed their game plan perfectly and did not give Madrid a sniff at goal. Madrid’s first opportunity came at 32nd minute when Ronaldo found a way into the box.

However the Portugal captain fired his left-footed shot well wide of the far post after a tidy exchange with Karim Benzema. The visitors claimed to have a penalty when Petros clumsily brought down Karim Benzema to the floor. Despite of calls from Madrid players, referee Juan Martinez was unmoved and the play was waved on.

The away side had a better start to the second half as they created a number of goal scoring opportunities in quick succession. Rodriguez failed to deflect Ronaldo’s cross while Karim Benzema blasted the rebound over the crossbar. Dani Carvajal, who replaced Danilo, thumped the ball wide of the near post after controlling a brilliant cross from Marcelo on the right.

Finally Real Madrid earned the much need equalizer in the 71st minute when Karim Benzema sweetly touched the ball into the empty net. The away side dominated the final stages of the encounter particularly after Benzema’s goal. Madrid kept on coming but the winning goal they craved remained elusive. IMAGE/ Paco Puentes/ EPA

Diego Costa dented Arsenal’s title hopes at Emirates Stadium

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Diego Costa scored the only goal to show Chelsea are still capable of putting up a great performance against the top teams.

The loss has put a dent in Arsenal’s title hopes as they have lost the top spot in the Premier League. The Gunners, who began the weekend on top, are in third place just three points behind the leaders Leicester City. Arsene Wenger witnessed first home defeat in the league since the opening day of the season.

Both sides jumped into action in the opening two minutes as they came close to find the net. Arsenal’s Joe Campbell missed the target while Chelsea’s Oscar had a shot tipped behind at the near post by Petr Cech. The home side suffered a major blow within 18 minutes when defender Per Mertesacker was shown red card after he hauled down Diego Costa.

Four minutes later, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger replaced striker Olivier Giroud with defender Gabriel Paulista to compensate for Mertesacker’s dismissal. Diego Costa scored the decisive goal just a minute after the tactical move from the hosts. Costa netted the winner into the bottom right corner from Branislav Ivanovic’s excellent cross.

Diego Costa registered his sixth goal in eight games since the sacking of Jose Mourinho often dubbed as “The Special One.” Despite of Chelsea’s superiority, the hosts had a chance to level with the final act of the first half but Flamini volleyed a clever pass over the crossbar.

The huge roar swirled around the Emirates Stadium when Alexis Sanchez came off the bench in the second half. The Chile international Sanchez made his first appearance since sustaining a hamstring injury in November. Even the comeback game of the world-class Chilean could not spark Arsenal.

This narrow victory means the Blues are unbeaten since Guus Hiddink took charge as an interim manager and they have not lost their last nine league fixtures with Arsenal. IMAGE/ Dylan Martinez/ Reuters