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Cape Town - Sport24 highlights FIVE talking points from across the leagues from the weekend's soccer action.
1. El Clasico
There was some edge-of-your-seat stuff in the English Premiership, but when it comes to quality of football nothing still comes close to an El Clasico match-up. The tide seems to have turned in Real Madrid's favour after Los Blancos turned over their rivals in a 3-1 win at the Camp Nou. Gone are the days where the Catalans would play any side off the park as Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench to strike a superb effort that knocked the wind out of the home side. Marco Asensio - who is gaining a reputation for scoring screamers - struck another world class goal and it genuinely seems like Madrid have a future Galactico in their ranks.
2. Chiefs knocked out of MTN8
Chiefs were unlucky to crash out of the top 8 competition thanks to a Jeremy Brockie first-half goal. Amakhosi dominated the majority of the game and struck the woodwork a remarkable three times. Coach Steve Komphela himself said after the 1-0 loss that it seems like his opposite number Eric Tinkler had a 'muti' that worked against him after yet another defeat. Komphela's post-match interviews has become as much as a highlight as the game itself and he again philosophically referred to the bible to explain the defeat.
3. United hammer the Hammers
Jose Mourinho indeed seems to be "on fire" after his side put in a convincing display at Old Trafford that saw new signing Nemanja Matic pick up the man-of-the-match award in a 4-0 win over West Ham United. Romelu Lukaku will rightly grab the headlines after scoring a brace on a dream debut for the Belgian in front of the home crowd. After the game Mourinho attributed the result to his team seeming confident and they look a side with all the potential to challenge for the league title.
4. Benni gets off to a winning start
New Cape Town City head coach Benni McCarthy got off to a winning start in a 1-0 win over Polokwane City in their MTN8 quarter-final. McCarthy after the game credited the win to his players and generally seemed pleased with what he saw over the 90 minutes. City will next face PSL champions Bidvest Wits in a mouthwatering semi-final clash which will see McCarthy go up against his old mentor Gavin Hunt.
5. Rooney rolls back the years
Wayne Rooney rolled back the years for Everton as the England striker's clinical header sealed a 1-0 win over Stoke City. The boyhood Evertonian seemed to radiate absolute delight while celebrating in front of the home crowd and later received praise from manager Ronald Koeman for his overall display. The move back to the Blues could prove to be more than just romanticism if Rooney puts in match-winning displays of a similar fashion.
