Javier Hernandez scored twice as Real Madrid fought back for a thrilling 4-2 win at Celta Vigo on Sunday to keep the pressure on Spanish league leader Barcelona. Four days after Hernandez’s late goal put Madrid into the Champions league semi-finals, the Mexico striker struck a brace to help an injury-depleted Madrid hold off Celta’s vigorous challenge and stay two points behind Barcelona with five rounds left.
Celta forward Manuel “Nolito” Agudo scored in the ninth minute to start a five-goal flurry in the first half. Goals from Toni Kroos and Hernandez put Madrid ahead, Celta’s Santi Mina equalized for 2-2 and James Rodriguez restored Madrid’s advantage in the 44th. With Celta pressing forward after the restart, Hernandez used a superb touch to control Sergio Ramos’ pass before netting in the 69th to secure victory.
Also on Sunday, Sevilla beat Rayo Vallecano 2-0 thanks to goals from Vicente Iborra and Daniel Carrico to provisionally move past Valencia into fourth place. Almeria moved out of the relegation zone by beating struggling Eibar 2-0, its second consecutive home win under new coach Sergi Barjuan, while Deportivo took its place in the bottom three after drawing 1-1 at Malaga.
With six attacking players in its starting 11, coach Eduardo Berizzo’s lineup left no secret that Celta was looking to outscore its star-studded rivals. The goals soon arrived as Celta attacked in waves, leaving Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates with lots of room to run rampant on the other end.
Oscar out of hospital
london: Chelsea midfielder Oscar is out of the hospital following a heavy collision with an opponent during a Premier league game that left the Brazil international with a swollen face. Oscar was injured about 15 minutes into the 0-0 draw at Arsenal on Sunday when goalkeeper David Ospina collided with him. The midfielder continued playing after treatment, but was substituted at halftime and taken to the hospital.
Sturridge to miss out
liverpool: liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge could miss the final month of the season because of his ongoing injury problems, depriving the English Premier league club of its most potent scorer as it chases Champions league qualification. The England international has been out since April 8 with hip and thigh injuries, after already missing the first half of the seaon with thigh and calf problems.