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Crystal Palace secured a huge win in the late stages of the game, as they beat Newcastle United 1-0 on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides were denied a first half lead, with referee Stuart Atwell disallowing goals from Salomon Rondon and James Tomkins. The latter’s goal was disallowed far more controversially, as James McArthur was deemed to have been obstructing goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

The second half was marred by two serious injuries, with Newcastle first seeing Florian Lejeune carried off on a stretcher. Soon after Crystal Palace had an injury of their own, with James Tomkins pulling up with a hamstring injury.

With ten minutes to go, Palace were given a huge lifeline as they were awarded a penalty for DeAndre Yedlin’s foul on Wilfried Zaha. Captain Luka Milivojevic stepped up, and sent Dubravka the wrong way to tuck his spot kick home and secure a huge three points for the Eagles.

Here’s our breakdown of this one.

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Key Talking Point

The Magpies were pushing for the win and would’ve been happy to settle for a point, but a moment of stupidity from Yedlin saw all of their hard work undone. It was a frustrating defeat for Newcastle, who will feel hard done by and furious with the way they lost the game.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Dubravka (7); Ritchie (6), Lejeune (6), Lascelles (6), Schar (6), Yedlin (4); Almiron (7), Hayden (6), Ki (6), Perez (6); Rondon (7).

Substitutes: Dummett (6), Shelvey (6), Atsu (N/A).

STAR MAN – In a disappointing result for the Magpies, Miguel Almiron played very well in attack. 

He was energetic throughout the game and used the ball well to create chances for the hosts, as he produced a promising performance in Newcastle’s defeat.

CRYSTAL PALACE

Key Talking Point

Though Palace required a bit of luck to earn the penalty, Milivojevic took his chance and converted the visitors’ first shot on target. It wasn’t pretty but it was a huge win for the Eagles, as they moved up to 12th and took a huge step in the right direction away from the relegation zone.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Guaita (7); van Aanholt (6), Tomkins (6), Kelly (6), Wan-Bissaka (6); Schlupp (6), Milivojevic (7), McArthur (6); Zaha (7), Batshuayi (5), Townsend (7).

Substitutes: Benteke (6), Dann (6), Kouyate (N/A).

STAR MAN – In another standout performance from the Eagles’ star man, ​Wilfried Zaha was excellent. His trickery and superb play in the final third was key to every Palace attack, as well as winning the crucial penalty in a man of the match performance.

Looking Ahead

Newcastle next play in just under a week, when they travel to ​Leicester City on Friday night. They then return to St. James’ Park on 20 April, as they host fellow relegation battlers ​Southampton on Tyneside.

Meanwhile Crystal Palace have two huge tests ahead of them, starting with the visit of ​Manchester City to Selhurst Park next Sunday. They then face a big London derby across the river, travelling to ​Arsenal on 21 April.

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​Zinedine Zidane’s much changed Real Madrid side laboured to victory against mid-table Eibar at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Real Madrid started brightly, creating a couple of good scoring chances with Karim Benzema finding the net only for the goal to be disallowed early on.

Despite having the majority of possession, Los Blancos failed to find a cutting edge for much of the match, often misplacing passes out into touch or to the feet of the Eibar players. Eibar opened the scoring in the 39th minute in a fashion that wouldn’t have looked out of place if it was scored by the home side, with some brilliant passing and movement bamboozling the Madrid defence. 

Madrid equalised in the 59th minute, shortly after having another goal disallowed, and it wasn’t until late in the second half that Benzema rose highest to head the ball into the net following a good cross from Toni Kroos to secure the three points for Zidane’s men.

Here’s 90min’s breakdown of the game.

Real Madrid

Key Talking Point

Real Madrid captain ​Karim Benzema thought he had equalised for Los Blancos in the 55th minute following an unfortunate deflection after an attempted clearance by Eibar keeper Marko Dmitrovic.

But, as the Frenchman wheeled away in celebration, a quick look over to the touchline showed the linesman’s flag in the air as Benzema had been in an offside position.

The replays showed that this decision was marginal, yet the VAR did not disagree with the assistant’s decision and the goal was disallowed. Fortunately for Benzema, he scored a few minutes later when he emphatically headed in ​Marco Asensio‘s cross.

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Navas (6), Odriozola (6), Varane (6), Nacho (5), Reguilon (6); Isco (7), Valverde (), Modric (6); Asensio (7), Benzema (8*), Bale (8).

Substitutions: Vazquez (6), Kroos (7), Diaz (5)

Star Man

Karim Benzema has come under some scrutiny in recent years for his ability to put the ball in the net for Los Blancos, and today the Frenchman proved those doubters wrong with two well taken headers that gave Real Madrid the three points against a hard working Eibar side.

His work rate leading the Madrid line will have please his manager, and Benzema will have felt that he justified Zidane’s decision to give him the captains armband in the absence of ​Sergio Ramos. 

He could have had a hat-trick but was denied in the final minutes by a great save from Eibar keeper Marko Dmitrovic in the 87th minute. It was a case of chances missed for Benzema, as on another day, the striker could have walked away having scored five.

Eibar

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Dmitrovic (6); De Blasis (7), Oliveira (6), Ramis (7), Angel (6); Escalante (6), Jordan (5); Cardona (7), Enrich (6), Cucurella (7)

Substitutions: Orellana (5), Pena (5), Charles (5)

Looking Ahead

​Los Blancos travel to mid-table Leganes in their next match in La Liga looking to further close the gap on city rivals ​Atletico Madrid in second. 

With Real having nothing left to play for other than their final league position, finishing above Atletico after having a poor season would be a little positive at the end of a rather forgettable campaign. 

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Brendan Rodgers made it four wins in a row as Leicester City boss as his side produced a brilliant attacking display to thrash Huddersfield 4-1.

Leicester dominated majority of the first half and scored after 25 minutes through the highly rated Youri Tielemans. The Belgian curled in an exquisite finish from the edge of the box past Ben Hamer, who was unsighted. 

The goal sparked a frenzy of chances particularly for Rodgers’ side with Demarai Gray and Tielemans again having shots saved. Huddersfield did have some moments which pressured the Foxes’ defence but went in at half time 1-0 down. 

Straight after half time, Jamie Vardy tapped in from a perfect cross delivered by Ricardo Pereira. An action packed start to the second half then saw the referee award Huddersfield a controversial penalty for a foul on Karlan Grant which Aaron Mooy dispatched. 

With 20 minutes to go, Kasper Schmeichel made a world class save to deny substitute Steve Mounie. Crucially, Leicester then showed their quality through James Maddison – who scored yet another free kick to make it 3-1 – and then Jamie Vardy smashed home a penalty for 4-1 as Huddersfield capitulated in the second half.

LEICESTER CITY

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Key Talking Point

Since Brendan Rodgers has taken over from Claude Puel at Leicester City, the Foxes have looked stronger and stronger as he has had more time to work with the players. Despite his first match in charge ending in defeat to Watford, Leicester went into their encounter with Huddersfield on the back of three wins in a row. 

Key players such as Wes Morgan, Jamie Vardy and Youri Tielemans have all shown huge improvements in their form and continued to do so against Huddersfield. The young Belgian midfielder, on loan from Monaco, has been exceptional and rumours have been circulating that Manchester United are interested in signing him. 

Tielemans and his teammates had to focus on their match with Huddersfield many saw as a certain win for the Foxes even though Johnny Evans and Harry Maguire were unavailable. The 21-year-old opened the scoring to continue his impressive form under Rodgers. 

Vardy doubled the lead for Leicester after the break and looked to be cruising until Caglar Soyuncu gave away a penalty which Leicester players were irate about. Replays showed that the Turkish international had won the ball. However, the Foxes did not let the penalty stop them and went level on points with Wolves in seventh position in spectacular fashion. 

Player Ratings

Starting XI: Schmeichel (7); Ricardo (7), Morgan (7), Soyuncu (5), Chilwell (7); Ndidi (7); Gray(6), Tielemans (9)*, Maddison (6), Barnes (6); Vardy (9)

Substitutions: Okazaki (6), Choudhury (N/A),  Iheanacho (N/A)

STAR MAN

In what looks like the best bit of business completed by a Premier League side in the January transfer window, Tielemans has been near perfect since signing on loan for Leicester from AS Monaco. 

He opened the scoring against Huddersfield and it now looks as though the Foxes will have to fight off Europe’s biggest clubs if they want to sign him in the summer. 

HUDDERSFIELD 

Key Talking Point

Jan Siewert’s Huddersfield side have endured a miserable campaign but with their fate already sealed, the Terriers can now approach matches with a nothing to lose attitude. 

One standout player for them in recent weeks has been Karlan Grant, who has emerged into the starting lineup as their sole striker. The 21-year-old’s form bodes well for Siewert’s side next season. However, the German’s future was more of a talking point having been subject to uncertainty until chairman Dean Hoyle reaffirmed his position this week.

A win for Siewert in front of their home crowd would have significantly boosted the fans’ confidence in him but found themselves losing at half time. After going 2-0 down, the Terriers fans were treated to a rare goal from the penalty spot as Aaron Mooy halved the deficit. 

This ignited new hope into the Huddersfield team and substitute Steve Mounie nearly equalised as they pushed to make it 2-2. Despite their good reaction, it was more doom and gloom for the Terriers going 3-1 and then 4-1 down at home.

Player Ratings

Starting XI – Hamer (6); Smith (6), Schindler (6), Kongolo (4), Durm (5); Stankovic (5), Hogg(5), Mooy (7)*, Pritchard (6), Lowe (6); Grant (6)

Substitutes – Mbenza (5), Mounie (6), Bacuna (N/A)

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STAR MAN

Huddersfield’s marquee player sent Kasper Schmeichel the wrong way to score just their 19th Premier League goal of the season. 

Given that the Terriers are set for a return to the Championship after two years in the Premier League, the Australian’s future could lie elsewhere as he has certainly shown quality across two consecutive campaigns.

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Looking Ahead

Already relegated Huddersfield face a tough month in April as they travel to Tottenham Hotspur’s immaculate new stadium to meet Mauricio Pochettino’s side before hosting an in form Watford.

Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City host Newcastle next in the league before travelling to east London, where they meet West Ham. The Foxes will want to finish the season strongly as they hunt for a top seven finish.

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​Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has labelled last summer’s transfer saga with Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann as ‘water under the bridge’ ahead of their La Liga clash on Saturday evening. 

Griezmann, 28, was the subject of intense interest from the Catalan side prior to France’s World Cup success last summer, before releasing a documentary entitled ‘The Decision’ which revealed his intention to remain at Atletico Madrid and sign a new deal.

Despite the snub, Bartomeu has insisted their is no ill feelings towards the Frenchman, who will play at the Camp Nou for the first time since his decision, as ​Atleti look to close the gap to ​Barcelona at the top of ​La Liga to five points.

Speaking to ​ESPN, Barca’s club president said: “The documentary about his decision is water under the bridge. It was spoken about a lot at the time. We have to look at the present, not the past.

“Each player weighs up what’s the best option for them. They make their own decisions. He stayed at Atletico, who are a big club in Europe, one of the best in UEFA’s rankings and [the team] we’re fighting against for La Liga this season.”

Griezmann has 17 goals and ten assists in 38 league and Champions League appearances this season, with finishing at the top of La Liga come the end of the season the only chance of finishing the season with more silverware, after securing the UEFA Super Cup with victory over Real Madrid prior to the beginning of this season. 

Bartomeu was also asked about what kind of reception Griezmann should expect from fans inside the Camp Nou after snubbing Barcelona, with him stating they’ll be ‘within their rights’ to voice whatever their opinion is.

He added: “Barcelona fans are very democratic. The members are the owners of this club, and they are within their rights to have whatever opinion they want. There is freedom of expression at Camp Nou.”

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Arsenal travel to Goodison Park on Sunday to face Everton, hoping to pick up another three points in the race for the Champions League spots. 

Arsenal are currently sat in fourth place with 63 points, one behind London rivals Tottenham and two more than Manchester United down in sixth. 

They are level on points with Chelsea, but have a superior goal difference to the Blues, with 26 rather than 21. However, the Gunners also have a game in hand over their competition, and arguably have the best set of fixtures remaining. 

With Lucas Torreira suspended and Laurent Koscielny a doubt for the game – along with the long-term injured Danny Welbeck, Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin – Unai Emery will likely deploy a back three to give the best possible balance to the team. 

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Bernd Leno (GK) – The summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen has been an upgrade on the ​Petr Cech of recent years, impressing with his shot-stopping and distribution. 

Ainsley Maitland-Niles (RWB) – A midfielder by trade, the ​Arsenal youth product has regularly had to fill in at fullback, and has featured heavily since Hector Bellerin’s injury. Composed on the ball, the England Under-21 international has proven to be a solid tackler also. 

Shkodran Mustafi (CB) – A World Cup winning defender, Mustafi has nonetheless been a disappointment since his arrival from Valencia in 2016. Overly aggressive and error-prone, the former ​Everton man gets in only because of injuries to Koscielny and ​Holding. 

Sokratis (CB) – An experienced and tough centre half, Arsenal fans have warmed to the 2018 summer signing from ​Borussia Dortmund. 

Nacho Monreal (CB) – A fantastic servant to Arsenal, the Spaniard has lost some of the attacking prowess he once possessed, and is more suited to a deeper role, where he can read the game and help to build up play from the back. 

Sead Kolasinac (LWB) – Although questionable defensively, the Bosnian is a menace going forward, regularly providing crosses and cutbacks for the Arsenal forwards. 

Midfielders

Aaron Ramsey (CM) – Soon to be a ​Juventus player, ​Ramsey was featuring only from the bench for much of this season. However, he’s won the faith of Emery in recent months and remains as productive as ever, contributing towards 10 goals in 13 league starts from midfield. 

Granit Xhaka (DM) – The Swiss international has been inconsistent for the Gunners since his arrival from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016. However, at his best, he’s the most capable Arsenal midfielder at progressing the ball from deep areas to forward positions. 

Mesut Ozil (AM) – A divisive figure, ​Ozil has not particularly been at his best this season, assisting only twice in 16 league starts. Nevertheless, the German is more capable than ​Alex Iwobi or ​Henrikh Mhkitaryan at making consistently clever passes, and unlocking a stubborn defence. 

Forwards

Alexandre Lacazette (ST) – Not quite as prolific as his strike partner, ​Lacazette has nonetheless proven to be a reliable source of goals, and is capable of clever passes and link up play. 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ST) – Although not as well-rounded a footballer as Lacazette, ​Aubamenyang is a pure goal machine – since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund in January 2018, he’s bagged 27 league goals in just 37 starts. 

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