Ronaldo goal helps Real snatch a point

Liverpool moves to second place in EPL

Cristiano Ronaldo struck eight minutes from time to rescue a point for Real Madrid in a 2-2 draw away to city rivals Atletico on Sunday in a typically fiery La Liga derby.

Atletico had fought back to lead 2-1 and were closing in on a first home win against Real in nearly 15 years before Ronaldo pounced on a loose ball and fired into the corner to maintain Real's three-point advantage over their neighbours at the top.

It was the Portugal forward's 23rd goal of the campaign and extended Real's unbeaten run to 28 matches, stretching back to a 2-1 reverse away to champions Barcelona at the end of October.

Real have 64 points, with Atletico second on 61 and Barca, who host promoted Almeria later on Sunday in third on 60.

Real started the game brightly and were ahead after only three minutes when Karim Benzema stole in unmarked and poked a cross from Angel Di Maria past Thibaut Courtois from close range.

Benzema and Ronaldo, the league's leading scorer, each tested Courtois again before clever work from Atletico's Turkish playmaker Arda Turan led to the equaliser in the 28th minute.

After twisting and turning on the edge of the Real penalty area, Arda threaded a pass through to Koke and his powerful low shot flew into the corner past Diego Lopez.Captain Gabi scored the best goal of the game moments before half-time to put the home side ahead, with a 30-metre screamer that flew past Lopez.Real gradually turned the screw as Atletico tired in the second half and it was little surprise when a defensive lapse led to Ronaldo's late equaliser.Liverpool second

Liverpool jumped from fourth to second after winning 3-0 at Southampton, leapfrogging Arsenal and Manchester City.

After Luis Suarez opened the scoring, Raheem Sterling doubled the lead. Skipper Steven Gerrard applied the finishing touches from the penalty spot in injury time.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers hailed an 'outstanding all-round performance' from his side. “This is a really difficult place to come, Southampton are an excellent side, and it was an all-round outstanding team performance, both with and without the ball,' Rodgers told Sky Sports 1.

Saturday’s results left Chelsea top with 63 points from 28 games, followed by Liverpool on 59 ahead of Arsenal on goal difference. Fourth-placed Manchester City, who have two matches in hand on the clubs above them, have 57 points. 

Spurs keep hopes alive

Tottenham Hotspur kept alive their hopes of a top four Premier League finish when Roberto Soldado scored the only goal at White Hart Lane to give them a 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Cardiff City on Sunday. The other two games on Sunday ended in a 4-1 win for Aston Villa over Norwich City while Swansea City and Crystal Palace drew 1-1.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has been fined 100,000 pounds ($167,600) and given a formal warning by the club after being sent off for headbutting Hull City midfielder David Meyler during Saturday’s Premier League match. Newcastle said they were “disappointed” with Pardew’s actions, adding: “His behaviour was unacceptable and is not the behaviour we expect from the manager of Newcastle United.

Pardew has been frustrated by the club’s transfer policies and lost one of best players Yohan Cabaye to PSG during the winter transfer window.