Ousmane Dembele volleyed in a 90th-minute winner against Real Valladolid on Monday to fire Barcelona to within a point of Atletico Madrid ahead of next weekend’s Clasico in the LaLiga.
Barca looked set for a damaging stalemate at Camp Nou after Atletico’s defeat by Sevilla on Saturday but Valladolid had Oscar Plano harshly sent off with 12 minutes left and Dembele snatched a 1-0 victory. His strike could prove a crucial moment in the title race, with Barca now breathing down Atletico’s necks ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Real, which is three points off the top.
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It might have been more complicated had Plano not been shown a red card in the 78th, his hack on Dembele from behind giving Barca advantage. Victory makes it six in a row for the team in La Liga. To mark Messi breaking Xavi Hernandez’s appearance record for the club, he was presented with a framed shirt before kick-off.
Thrilling win
In the Premier League, Jesse Lingard inspired West Ham to a thrilling 3-2 win at Wolves to move fourth as Everton’s hopes of a top-four finish were dented in a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace.
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Everton drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace.
The results:
LaLiga: Barcelona 1 (Dembele 90) bt Real Valladolid 0.
Premier League: Everton 1 (Rodriguez 56) drew with Crystal Palace 1 (Batshuayi 86); Wolves 2 (Dendoncker 44, Silva 68) lost to West Ham 3 (Lingard 6, Fornals 14, Bowen 38) .