By James Ojo
As football action resumed on Saturday, some clubs were
without their key players: Cristiano Ronaldo, Diego Costa, Cecs
Fabregas and Yaya were all out of action for their respective clubs.
Real Madrid ran riot on Saturday against Real Sociedad as they made
light of them 4-1 to maintain their lead on top of La Liga without
their talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo, who was handed a two- match ban
last weekend.
Ronaldo was red carded for misconduct against a Cordoba defender,
Edimar last weekend. But goals from James Rodriquez, Sergio Ramos
and a brace from prolific Kareem Benzema ensured a deserved victory
for the Blancos.
Carlo Ancelloti's men will now shift attention to Wednesday's clash
against Sevilla without Ronaldo before their crunch tie against city rival,
Athletico Madrid on February 7- a match that will feature Ronaldo.
Else where in the Barclay's Premier League, Chelsea and Manchester
City both struggled for a win in the absence of some key players.
Manchester City have not been convincing enough on the pitch since the
departure of ace Midfielder, Yaya Toure, for the African Cup of Nations
in Equitorial Guinea. Pellegrini's men have not tasted victory in
their last four suffering 2-0 defeats in a league match against
Arsenal and Middlesbrough in the FA.
With Toure, Manchester City have won 14 of their last18 Premier League
fixtures losing one and drawing three of the four games without him.
And a draw on Saturday with Chelsea leave them five points adrift of
League leaders thanks to David Silva who rooted Sergio Aguero's
powerful shot into the net in the 45th minute to take them level after
Remy had given Chelsea the lead in the 41st minute.
The absence of Diego Costa and Cecs Fabregas made life difficult for
the blues as they were almost caged in their own half against City in
a pulsating encounter that ended 1-1 on Saturday.
Costa received a three-match ban following his misconduct in their win
against Liverpool in FA last week and the Striker was forced to the
bench alongside Fabregas who did not look fit enough for the game.
While some clubs dazzled the world without their star men,
others struggled to create clear cut chances.
