Real Madrid keep winning

Real Madrid continued their impressive start to the new year with Karim Benzema giving them a 1-0 victory in the King’s Cup quarterfinal first-leg tie away to Espanyol on Tuesday.

Benzema’s 25th-minute goal meant Real have come out on top in each of their six games since Christmas, a burst of form that has seen them close the gap to just one point behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga.

The winners could play holders Atletico Madrid in the semis if they come through their tie with Athletic Bilbao while Barca, on the other side of the draw, face Levante.

City shine

Manchester City completed a resounding demolition of West Ham United by winning the second leg of their League Cup semifinal 3-0 on Tuesday to book their place in the final at Wembley 9-0 on aggregate.

With the tie effectively over after West Ham's leaky defence shipped six goals in the first leg, City dished out an extra helping of humiliation with Alvaro Negredo scoring twice and Sergio Aguero also netting.