The big news: Benzema, Morata on target for Real

Real Madrid topped the La Liga table after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao at the Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday.

Karim Benzema put Real 1-0 up within seven minutes after Isco’s delightful pass to the Frenchman. However, Bilbao’s Sabin Merino Zuloaga netted the equaliser for the visitors in the 27th minute. Cristiano Ronaldo was not at his dominating best as he missed a host of chances. But substitute Alvaro Morata, on his 24th birthday, made the difference as he scored the winner in the 83rd minute of the clash.

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Real Madrid were the fourth team to top La Liga this weekend. Barcelona went to the summit on Saturday after their 3-2 win over Valencia. On Sunday, Sevilla went top when they won 1-0 against Atletico Madrid, who had gone into the weekend as table toppers. Only three points separate Real, who started the game in fifth place, and Atletico, who now occupy that spot.

Other top stories

  1. New Delhi got the green signal to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup next year in India. New Delhi became the fourth venue to be ratified after Kochi, Navi Mumbai and Goa.
  2. Chelsea were at their sublime best as they ruined Jose Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge with the Blues beating Manchester United 4-0 on Sunday. Chelsea beat United in all departments with Pedro scoring the fastest goal this season – in 33 seconds – to the gain the upper hand.
  3. FC Pune City’s Anibal Zurdo scored a late equaliser against Chennaiyin FC in a 1-1 draw at home in the Indian Super League on Sunday. The Pune forward s netted from a free-kick eight minutes from time to ensure that the match finished 1-1.
  4. FC Goa face Kerala Basters in the ISL on Monday at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Fatorda. Goa, who are in eighth place, are seeking their first win on home soil, while the Blasters are aiming to maintain their good form away from home.
  5. Sevilla went to second spot on the La Liga table after Steven N'Zonzi's goal sealed a hard fought win over Atletico Madrid. Atletico, who were unbeaten and would have topped the table with a draw, had Koke sent off for two yellow cards.
  6. Manchester United manager José Mourinho accused his Chelsea counterpart Antonio Conte of humiliating him as he endured a 4-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge. Mourinho appeared to tell Conte he should behave like that “at 1-0, not at 4-0”, and suggested he had actually been seeking to humiliate him in front of his former fans.
  7. Paris Saint-Germain were held to a goalless draw by Marseille in their Ligue 1 encounter at the Parc des Princes. It was Rudi Garcia's first game in charge of Marseille after the ex-Roma boss was appointed last week. Garcia's side were at their defensive best, while PSG striker Edinson Cavani was denied a penalty. PSG are third on the table, with Nice, who won 4-2 at Metz, taking top spot with 26 points.