Euro Wrap: Liverpool, Arsenal win big; Barcelona thrash Real

There were quite a number of top matches across Europe on Wednesday evening, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Barcelona amongst the big winners.

In the English Premier League, the race for the PL title and Champions League places can’t be any more intriguing following results tonight.

Champions Manchester City laboured to a 1-0 victory over WestHam United at home. Sergio Aguero scored the decisive goal in the second  half to hand his side a narrow win.

At Anfield, leaders Liverpool were too strong for a sorry Watford team, who were totally brushed aside by the Reds.

Senegal international, Sadio Mane, was in an imperious form, scoring a brace as Liverpool defeated the Hornets 5-0 to return to winning ways.

Other scorers on the night for Jurgen Klopp’s side include Virgil Van Dijk, who also scored a brace and Divock Origi.

Elsewhere in the PL, Arsenal were comfortable 5-1 winners at home against Bournemouth thanks to an inspired performance from two of their hitherto forgotten stars.

Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan combined to great effect to hand the Gunners a heavy win against the Cherries. Ozil scored a goal and assisted another, while Mkhitaryan grabbed a goal and two assists.

There was another African on target on the night, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabonese was at the end of one of Mkhitaryan’s assist, scoring their fourth goal of the evening.

Still in England, after the drama with Kepa Arrizagbala at the weekend during the Carabao Cup final against City, Maurizio Sarri and Chelsea returned to winning ways but without their expensive goalkeeper, Kepa.

The Spaniard was benched with Wilfredo Caballero taking his place and going on to keep a clean sheet as the Blues came out with a 2-0 win over Tottenham in their London Derby.

Liverpool remain top of the log on 68 points, just one above second placed City, while Tottenham are eight points further behind in third, but are now just four points ahead of North London rivals, Arsenal, who occupy the last CL places.

A depleted Manchester United side overcame a stubborn Crystal Palace 3-1 to complete their eighth consecutive away win in all competitions under caretaker manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a club record.

The Red Devils with that result retained their fifth position with 55points, two ahead of Chelsea who have a game in hand.

Real Madrid lose El Clasico again without Cristiano Ronaldo

In Spain, it was a bad night for Real Madrid and their fans as they were humiliated by their fiercest rivals, Barcelona, in the Copa Del Rey second leg semifinal match at the Santiago Bernabeu.

A Luis Suarez brace, which includes a penalty, and an own goal from Raphael Varane, handed Barca a convincing 3-0 win, bragging rights and a place in the final.

It was the first El-Clasico at the Bernabeu without Ronaldo, and the last time Los Blancos hosted this particular game without the Portuguese, back in May 2009, Barcelona ran out 6-2 winners.

Ernesto Valverde and his men will take on the winners of the other semifinal between Valencia and Real Betis on Thursday.