Urgent action needed as heatwaves become more frequent; trees, greenery needed to cool urban 'heat islands'
opinion9 hours ago
Luis Suarez ended a five-game goal drought with a double as Barcelona extend their lead at the top of La Liga with a flattering 3-0 win at Leganes on Saturday.
Barca now lead second-placed Valencia by seven points ahead of their trip to Mestalla next weekend.
However, two simple Suarez finishes from close range either side of half-time and Paulinho's late tap-in glossed over another under-par performance from Ernesto Valverde's men, who were again thankful to a fine display from goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Despite tougher tests to come this week with a trip to Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday before Valencia, Valverde named his strongest available side.
Suarez was refreshed after sitting out international duty with Uruguay over the past fortnight and had the ball in the net after just four minutes, but Jordi Alba had already been flagged for offside as he supplied the cross for the former Liverpool striker.
Leganes have enjoyed a fine start to just their second ever season in the Spanish top flight and a repeat of the 5-0 thrashing Barca dished out on their visit to Butarque last season was never likely as the hosts went onto enjoy the better of the opening half.
The busy Nordin Ambrabat fired a shot over a positive run at the Barca defence before Gabriel Pires also dragged an effort wide when well-placed at the edge of the box.
However, Leganes' good work in the opening half hour was undone by a goalkeeping error when Ivan Cuellar limply palmed Paco Alcacer's driven cross into the path of the grateful Suarez to smash home his first goal for a month.
Barca's joy was tempered moments later when Gerard Pique was booked for bringing down Amrabat meaning he will be suspended for next weekend's clash at Valencia.
Amrabat was the creator once more for Leganes' best chance before the break when he released Alexander Szymanowski inside the area, but the Argentine's curling effort was turned to safety by the in-form Ter Stegen.
The German goalkeeper was called into action again early in the second period when Leganes substitute Claudio Beauvue was too quick for the Barca defence only to fire straight at Ter Stegen.
In contrast, just as in the first-half, Barca were ruthlessly efficient in front of goal to double their lead on the hour mark.
Lionel Messi's dinked pass released Alcacer and after Cuellar parried his first effort, Suarez drilled home the rebound for his second of the afternoon.
Barca rode their luck to hold out for a 12th clean sheet in their last 17 games as Ter Stegen saved one-on-one from Amrabat and Beauvue blasted well over when unmarked 10 yards out.
However, Barca piled more pressure on the chasing Atletico and Real ahead of the Madrid derby and rubbed salt into Leganes' wounds when Paulinho rolled into an empty net when a loose ball broke off Messi in stoppage time.
Urgent action needed as heatwaves become more frequent; trees, greenery needed to cool urban 'heat islands'
opinion9 hours ago
Writing will plumb the depths of mediocrity further unless as readers we seek uplifting themes, and as writers, we delve into our souls before punching each word down
opinion9 hours ago
A guide to what the programme means, who can apply, its benefits, and the participating schools
uae9 hours ago
Pogacar says his current form feels good enough to carry him to a rare cycling double as he chases victory in the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France
sports9 hours ago
Islamabad High Court will hear appeals against conviction of Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi in £190M NCA settlement reference on May 21
world9 hours ago
The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Monday applied for arrest warrants on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity
world9 hours ago
Archer likely to feature in the first T20 against Pakistan
cricket10 hours ago
In the 152 Premier League matches City have played across the last four seasons, they have recorded 112 victories with just 17 defeats, racking up 372 goals
football10 hours ago