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United end City's winning streak, Real Madrid deny Atletico derby win
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Manchester United players celebrate during the Premier League match against Manchester City in Manchester, UK, March 7, 2021. /CFP

Manchester United players celebrate during the Premier League match against Manchester City in Manchester, UK, March 7, 2021. /CFP

Manchester City's 21-match winning streak was ended by rivals Manchester United as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side enjoyed a 2-0 Premier League derby victory at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

United won thanks to an early penalty from Bruno Fernandes and a second-half strike from Luke Shaw with the result narrowing City's lead at the top of the table to 11 points over United with 10 games remaining. It was City's first defeat in all competitions since November 21.

Pep Guardiola's side may prove to be uncatchable in the title race but United will take real belief for next season from a deserved victory.

Solskjaer is starting to become something of a nemesis for Guardiola – this was the Norwegian's fourth derby victory since he took over at Old Trafford in December 2018.

City were stunned after 34 seconds when referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the penalty spot after Gabriel Jesus had brought down Anthony Martial just inside the box.

Fernandes took the penalty with Ederson getting his right hand to the shot which squeezed in the corner to give the visitors the lead.

Shaw had a great chance to double their advantage shortly after the opener but the fullback shot straight at Ederson from a good position in the box.

City had an appeal for a penalty turned down when Raheem Sterling tangled with Fred in the area and Riyad Mahrez went close just before the break.

After the interval, Rodri went closest to a leveler with a side-footed shot from the edge of the box which struck the top of the post.

Yet it was some smart thinking from United's goalkeeper Dean Henderson, deputizing again for David De Gea, that undid City for the second goal.

Henderson threw a clever and fast ball out to Shaw on the left, who burst past two City defenders and, after a swift exchange with Marcus Rashford, drove into the bottom far-corner.

Liverpool and Fulham in action during the Premier League match in Liverpool, UK, March 7, 2021. /CFP

Liverpool and Fulham in action during the Premier League match in Liverpool, UK, March 7, 2021. /CFP

Liverpool slumped to a club-record extending sixth consecutive home league defeat as they lost 1-0 to Fulham after a first-half goal by Mario Lemina.

The defeat by the relegation-threatened visitors marks the first time since the 1953-54 season that the Reds have lost six games at Anfield in a league campaign.

Liverpool stay seventh on 43 points, four points off fourth-placed Chelsea having played a game more. Fulham remain in the bottom three on 26 points after 28 games but now only trail 17th-placed Brighton & Hove Albion on goal difference.

Players of Real Madrid and Atletico in action during the La Liga match in Madrid, Spain, March 7, 2021. /CFP

Players of Real Madrid and Atletico in action during the La Liga match in Madrid, Spain, March 7, 2021. /CFP

In Spain, Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema struck an 88th-minute equaliser to snatch a 1-1 draw at La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid and keep his side in the title race.

Luis Suarez had put the hosts in charge in the 15th minute, producing an ice-cool finish to beat Thibaut Courtois after a lung-bursting run forward from his own half by midfielder Marcos Llorente.

The Uruguayan was denied a second goal later in the half by former Atletico keeper Courtois and early in the second period, while the Belgian also thwarted his compatriot Yannick Carrasco from point-blank range.

Benzema, who returned after missing Real's last three matches through injury, was the champions' focal point in attack and spurned three chances to score before equalising late on, playing a one-two with Casemiro to tap into the net.

An Atletico victory would have taken Diego Simeone's side eight points clear of their city rivals but Benzema's leveller means they lead third-placed Real by five points while Barcelona, in second, are three points behind.

Atletico can tighten their grip on top spot when they host Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, however.

Captain Koke rued the late equaliser after his side had bossed the game. "We were superior to them but they can score against you at any moment," he told reporters.

"We brought fresh players on and tried to add to our lead but we were up against a great rival who have a lot of power up front.

"We have never said the title race is over and we know it's going to go down to the wire but we have to now focus on Wednesday, when we have a chance to pick up more points and our rivals do not."

Atletico coach Diego Simeone welcomed back England defender Kieran Tripper after more than two months out suspended but benched 126-million-euro forward Joao Felix before introducing the Portuguese in the second half.

The visitors appealed loudly for a penalty shortly before halftime when Atletico defender Felipe appeared to handle the ball while Suarez and Real's Lucas Vazquez clashed when the two teams headed off for the halftime break after disagreeing over a tackle from Casemiro on Thomas Lemar.

Real were still missing key players such as captain Sergio Ramos and Eden Hazard but crucially could count on the return of top scorer Benzema.

The Frenchman was thwarted from close range by Atletico keeper Jan Oblak and then saw a powerful free kick tipped away by the Slovenian, but finally got the better of him to complete a quick counter-attack.

"I think they were better in the first half and we were better in the second and this is a good point for us," said Benzema.

"The result means the title race is still on our minds."

Source(s): Reuters

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