Olmo brace sends Barca nine points clear

Barcelona, Nov. 5: Dani Olmo scored twice on his first start as he comes back from injury as Barcelona beat local rivals Espanyol 3-1 on Sunday to move nine points clear at the top of La Liga.

Earlier Atletico Madrid eased to a 2-0 win over Las Palmas and moved third, with coach Diego Simeone's son Giuliano netting his first goal for the club.

With second-place Real Madrid not in action after their game at Valencia was called off because of the devastating floods in the region, Hansi Flick's soaring Barcelona stretched their lead on the champions.

Raphinha netted in between Olmo's goals as Barcelona racked up a three-goal lead by the 31st minute at the Olympic stadium.

Javi Puado pulled one back as Espanyol fought hard to avoid a derby pummelling in the second half, with the visitors scoring three disallowed goals.

"I'm not happy about the second half... we lost concentration, lost tension, in tennis you say unforced errors, but it happens sometimes," admitted Flick.

"Today I accept that because we won, but for Wednesday (in Europe) we need another level."

Barca's marquee summer signing produced an electric display in the first half.

Simeone success

Atletico coach Diego Simeone had said there was "no sense" in playing La Liga matches this weekend because of the floods, but his team secured a comfortable victory.

Donations of food and other useful products were collected outside the Metropolitano stadium in support of those affected in the east of Spain by the floods which have killed more than 200 people.

"I'm very happy for my first goal for Atletico but we can't ignore everything that's happening in Valencia, all the victims there. I send my support and strength to them," said Giuliano Simeone.

The hosts took the lead after 37 minutes when Nahuel Molina's long ball found Simeone darting in behind the defence.

The striker, deployed on the right wing by his father, burst into the box and swept the ball into the far corner.

Athletic Bilbao and Real Betis shared a 1-1 draw at San Mames.

Man Utd off to worst start 

Moises Caicedo's strike denied Manchester United victory in their first Premier League game since sacking Erik ten Hag as Chelsea claimed a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, who will be replaced by Ruben Amorim later his month, sprinted down the touchline in celebration after Bruno Fernandes put United in front from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time.

Caicedo quickly replied for the Blues, who edge above Arsenal on goal difference into fourth place in the table.

A point leaves United still down in 13th, six points off the top four. The Red Devils' return of just 12 points from 10 games is United's worst start to a league campaign since 1986/87.

United were far more competitive than in 3-0 demolitions by Liverpool and Tottenham at home this season, but showed many of the same flaws that cost Ten Hag his job.

Atalanta stun leaders Napoli 

Atalanta brought Serie A leaders Napoli down to earth with a bump with a 3-0 victory on Sunday as Ademola Lookman grabbed two goals.

Napoli were hoping to open up a substantial lead at the top before but Atalanta stunned the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium as they decisively ended the home side's unbeaten run that stretched back to August 18.

Lookman pounced first in the 10th minute when Marten de Roon's header fell for the London-born Nigerian international who beat Napoli 'keeper Alex Meret from close range.

He doubled Atalanta's lead with a superb curling shot just after the half-hour mark. Napoli coach Antonio Conte was furious that his defence gave Lookman the space to shoot.

Mateo Retegui added a third goal for Atalanta in injury time, his 11th of the season, and the visitors were able to celebrate as they moved onto 22 points, just three behind Napoli.

Inter Milan then closed the gap to end the weekend just a point behind Napoli. Inter edged out Venezia 1-0 thanks to a 65th-minute goal from skipper Lautaro Martinez who scored from a cross by Federico Dimarco. AFP