Vinicius Jr Scores Brace as Real Madrid Beats Espanyol 2-0 in La Liga; Tottenham Wins 2-1 at Aston Villa to Escape Relegation Zone

Vinicius Jr scored twice as Real Madrid defeated Espanyol 2-0 in La Liga on Sunday, preserving their slim title hopes ahead of a clash with leaders Barcelona. The Brazilian winger broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, driving in from the left, exchanging passes with Gonzalo, cutting inside two defenders, and finishing low off the post.

He added a second in the 66th minute after a one-two with Jude Bellingham, guiding a first-time effort into the top corner.

Real Madrid controlled possession from the start but struggled to create clear chances in a slow-paced contest. They almost led in the eighth minute when Vinicius struck the post from inside the box. Missing key starters including Kylian Mbappe, Arda Guler, Thibaut Courtois, and Eder Militao, coach Alvaro Arbeloa's side relied on the winger's fireworks to secure the points.

Barcelona leads the La Liga standings on 88 points, 11 clear of second-placed Real Madrid, with four matches remaining in the season. Barcelona hosts Real Madrid at Camp Nou next weekend in a Clasico that could confirm the Catalans as champions for a second successive season. In the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur won 2-1 at Aston Villa to leapfrog West Ham and exit the relegation zone.

Conor Gallagher scored the opener, his first for Tottenham since his January move from Atletico Madrid. Richarlison headed the second, his 11th goal of the season, before Emi Buendia pulled one back for Villa in injury time. The match took place at Villa Park, where Aston Villa made seven changes to their lineup from the side that lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.

Villa's bench included Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne, and Ollie Watkins, with the fifth-placed side aiming for Champions League qualification. Tottenham's midfield pairing of Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur started, marking their 12th league game together this season.

This victory marked the first time Tottenham won consecutive league matches since their opening two games against Burnley and Manchester City.

They had beaten Wolves last weekend. West Ham lost 3-0 to Brentford on Saturday, opening the door for Tottenham's surge under head coach Roberto de Zerbi, appointed on March 31. De Zerbi, who followed previous manager Thomas Frank and interim Igor Tudor, praised his players' passion after the game.

"I love Palhinha like this. I don't ask players to do it, but when I see this passion I become crazy," he said. On Gallagher, De Zerbi added: "When Gallagher plays like this it is like having 12 players.

He is a striker, a midfielder, a full-back. Look anywhere on the pitch and you can find him. " De Zerbi urged focus despite the result. "Now I don't want to hear the positive voice. We have to stay focused for the next game," he stated.

The dispute centered on whether Michael Carrick should become permanent manager of Manchester United. Carrick has served as interim manager since Ruben Amorim's departure earlier in 2026, guiding the team to third position in the Premier League table.

Liverpool holds the title as reigning Premier League champions. A win for Manchester United against Liverpool would secure Champions League qualification. Keane praised progress under Carrick, citing early wins against Manchester City and Arsenal, while referencing setbacks at Newcastle and against Leeds at home.

He said: "There's a lot of PR, there's a lot of push for him. He's a young English coach, a lot of media onside for him pushing him. " Gary Neville said his initial instinct was that Manchester United should appoint a world-class manager with Champions League and league title experience.

He noted Carrick developed managerial credentials at Middlesbrough. Links to Luis Enrique for the Manchester United job remain ongoing.