Barcelona struggled to win 2-1 at hosts Elche on Sunday as a late penalty from Memphis Depay ensured they continued to recuperate after a troublesome begin to the season.
After dropping to a low on November 9, when former coach Ronald Koeman was sacked, Xavi Hernandez climbed to the highest three in La Liga with 48 factors, overtaking Actual Betis in third.
Elche in the midst of the desk opened the scoring earlier than the top of the primary half when Pedri tried to clear the ball however supplied the help for Fidel Chavez, who outplayed Dani Alves and scored from an angled shot inside the appropriate publish.
Former Manchester Metropolis striker Ferran Torres scored Barcelona’s first aim
Ferran Torres scored the equalizer within the 61st minute after an excellent show from Ousmane Dembele on the appropriate flank. Jordi Alba saved the ball and the previous Manchester Metropolis striker, in the appropriate place on the proper time, to show it into the web from shut vary.
Barcelona’s victory got here after the assistant video referee detected a handball from the Elche defender inside the world and Depay hit the penalty kick within the higher left nook.
Elsewhere, threatened to fall Cadiz Enhance their possibilities of survival by profitable 2-0 Vallecano Ray To maneuver inside one level of Granada, which occupies the seventeenth place.
Ligue 1 : Decisive victories for Saint-Etienne and Troyes within the relegation battle
Dennis Bwanga scored the one aim as Saint-Etienne Jumped out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 house win Metz In Ligue 1 on Sunday, whereas Troy He scored a decisive victory in his try to remain far on the backside of the rankings Bordeaux.
Bwanga had a first-half aim disallowed by the VAR assistant referee for a handball, however there was no doubting his try within the 52nd minute as a poorly leveled equalization fell at his ft and he curled a shot into the web.
Metz, second within the standings, thought he was awarded a penalty within the last minutes as Valai Sakho made a transparent foul on Fred Bulaya within the penalty space, however referee Jeremy Sixnat overturned the choice after a foul in preparation was. observer.
Troyes had their possibilities of survival on this planet of excellent after their 2-0 win over ailing Bordeaux.
That they had some luck early on when goalkeeper Gaetan Poussin saved Mama Balde’s penalty, who curled the ball into the web along with his again foot to attain an personal aim.
The guests added a second with 5 minutes remaining after receiving a second penalty, however this time it was rotated by South African worldwide Lipu Muthiba, who lately returned from almost two years on the sidelines as a consequence of harm.
ren He moved as much as fourth place with a 2-0 win AngersTheir third win in a row however their opponent’s sixth straight loss has them tripping the desk.
The objectives for Rennes, who are actually one level away from the UEFA Champions League qualification spots, had been scored by Benjamin Beauregaud and Gaetan Laborde.
They jumped Strasbourgwho underwent a 3rd attract a row Reims. Jan Rechner Bellegaard put Strasbourg forward, however Jens Cajost equalized the rating for the hosts six minutes earlier than the top of the match.
Nantes Additionally they saved their Champions League hopes alive with a 2-0 house win Montpellier. The objectives of Randall Kolo Mwany and Willem Goebbels determined the three factors. It climbed to sixth place, 5 factors behind third-placed Marseille.
Defend the heroes slightly They continued their late push for a European spot by defeating 10 gamers Claremont 4-0 to remain on par with Nantes in factors.
