5 Star Ronaldo, Magical Messi, Mercurial Ebong: Weekend Round up.

   From Vicente Calderón to Old Trafford to Warri Township Stadium, the weekend was packed with beautiful football.

    Cristiano Ronaldo was at his best as Real Madrid mauled Espanyol at the Estadi Cornellà El Prat. Five goals from the Madrid hit man and an assist for a near post Karim Benzema goal was all it took. Real Madrid, a ruthless counter attacking side were at their very best as the Rafa Benitez side showed class. After a shameful show during the transfer window, the win was what Madrid needed to make a statement.
Elsewhere at the Vicente Calderón, Athletico Madrid fell to Barcelona's firepower despite being in front through a Fernando Toress opener. Barcelona equalised from a well placed Neymar free kick.Before the kick was taken, observers wondered if the Athletic goalkeeper could see through bodies as he completely blocked his own view with a wall of defence he organised himself. Neymar capitalised on it and curled the free kick over the wall into the net. Messi was introduced into the game and it took a bit of magic from the wizard of Oz to tear open a resilient Athelico defence and put his side ahead.
   In England, Chelsea woes seem unending. Substitute James Naismith scored a hat trick to condemn the Jose Mourinho side to a 3 - 1 defeat. Again, the weakness of a hopeless Chelsea defence was highlighted. The team continues in utter confusion with fans wondering when change will come.
Elsewhere in Manchester, United took Liverpool to the cleaners with a 3 - 1 win despite not yet playing to the expectaion of the fans. Goals from Daley Blind, Ander Herrera (penalty) and new recruit, "Air Vice Marshal" Anthony Martial was enough to eclipse the wonder goal scored by Christian Benteke. At Selhurst Park, 18 year old Kelechi Iheanacho scored a 90th minute winner for Manchester City as they defeated Crystal Palace.
   In the much improved Glo Nigerian Premier League, the game between Warri Wolves and Kwara United saw the Ilorin side fall by three goals to nothing. Eye catching in the game was Warri Wolves young gun, Kufre Ebong who ran the Kwara side ragged with one of the goals to his name. He mesmerised the visitors to the delight of the crowd. One wonders why Nigeria will be sweating over Jordan Ibe of Liverpool who according to Sunday Oliseh, information from his family says the youngster will favour teaming up with England as against Nigeria when we have youthful boys like Kufre Ebong. Nigerians have come to live with the stereotype that the local league is very bad and don't even attempt to watch local games. If only a little time is allocated to watching Nigerian League games, members of the Nigerian football community will know that the league has improved. Tremendously, I must say.
   Worthy of mention is the fact that Nassarawa United have emerged as a breaker of records in the Glo Nigeria Premier League. Having dealt Kano Pillars' home record a blow some weeks back, they heaped same fate on Sunshine as the beat them in the own bak yard. The Sunshine loss helped Enyimba consolidate on a four point lead at the top of the pile.
   A wonderful weekend it was, for the football community.

Photo Credit: espnfc.com
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