Costa netted his sixth goal in 12 appearances since moving back to the Spanish side from Chelsea in January.

Saul Niguez and Koke were also on target for the 2010 and 2012 winners.

Lokomotiv are seven points clear at the top of the Russian Premier League, but now face a substantial deficit going into next week’s return leg.

“In the whole game we were superior,” Atletico coach Diego Simeone said.

The home side opened the scoring midway through the first half courtesy of Niguez’s superb strike from 30 yards that sailed into the top corner.

Costa added Atletico’s second at the start of the second half by steering home the rebound after Antoine Griezmann’s shot had been saved.

Griezmann and Costa were both withdrawn as the half progressed, but there was still time for Koke to burst into the area and find the corner.

“In no way did I feel embarrassment for the team,” said Lokomotiv coach Yuri Semin. “We do not consider the tie lost.”

Salzburg shock Dortmund

Kosovo international Valon Berisha scored twice as Red Bull Salzburg won their first leg 2-1 against Borussia Dortmund in Germany.

Berisha was on target twice shortly after half-time before Andre Schurrle’s strike reduced the deficit going into next week’s return game in Austria.

Brazilian defender Marcelo scored the only goal as last season’s semi-finalists Lyon grabbed a 1-0 win at CSKA Moscow.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey scored in the first half as Arsenal beat AC Milan 2-0 at the San Siro.

In the later kick-offs, Lucas Ocampos scored twice with Dimitri Payet also on the scoresheet as Marseille saw off Athletic Bilbao 3-1.

Sporting Lisbon put one foot into the quarter-finals with a 2-0 home victory against Viktoria Plzen.

Lazio were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Dynamo Kiev, while Timo Werner ended a four-game goal drought as RB Leipzig recorded a 2-1 win over Zenit St Petersburg.

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Source: BBC

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Messi’s superb first-half free-kick from 25 yards into the top corner took his club tally to 539 goals and he also has 61 for Argentina.

Luis Suarez could have added a second but his chip sailed narrowly wide.

Substitute Kevin Gameiro thought he had levelled for Atletico late on, but the goal was ruled out for offside

Diego Costa provided the knock down for Gameiro’s close-range finish, but the former Chelsea striker was adjudged to be in an offside position.

The visitors were second best for large periods in the match and had just one effort on target, a looping Saul Niguez header that was comfortable for goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to deal with.

In the context of the season, this was a huge victory for Ernesto Valverde’s side against their nearest title rivals, as they close in on their ninth title triumph in 14 seasons with 11 games left to play.

They remain on course to secure a treble of trophies, with their Champions League last-16 second-leg against Chelsea taking place on 14 March and the Spanish Cup final against Sevilla next month.

Record goalscorer Messi made the difference again, taking his tally to 28 for the season and Barcelona’s 100th in all competitions this season.

They could have had more but the impressive Philippe Coutinho had a couple of efforts kept out by Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak, while Suarez saw a close-range strike chalked off for offside.

The only blemish for Barca saw skipper Andres Iniesta hobble off in the first half with the club saying he suffered a hamstring injury that requires tests to see how long he will be out for with the Champions League second leg against Chelsea on 14 March.

Barcelona travel to Malaga in their next league game on Saturday (kick-off 19:45 GMT)

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Source: BBC Sport

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Partey on Thursday signed a new deal with the Madrid based club which will keep him at the club till 2023.

The Ghanaian international has played 35 times for Atletico Madrid this season and has scored three league goals.

The 24-year-old joined Atletico in 2011 and made his debut for the club in 2015 after spending the previous three seasons out on loan.

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By: Daniel Koranteng/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Karim Abdul Razak, Mohammed Gargo, Michael Essien and Stephen Appiah are some of the most notable names which come to mind when you think of prominent Ghanaian midfielders, and one name will soon be fit to be considered in this elusive company.

Thomas Teye Partey has fast become one of Europe’s most talked about midfielders after his blistering form in 2017 for both club and country. The Atletico Madrid midfielder who after a slow start to his Atletico career has slowly worked his way into the plans of manager Diego Simeone, and is now just one start away from equaling his total tally from the previous two seasons combined. Partey is the embodiment of your typical African central midfielder, possessing immense physical attributes in addition to his exceptional technique. Standing tall at a height of 1.82m, Partey is also very imposing figure on the pitch with the added bonus of having in the aerial advantage over opponents.

Partey joined the 2014 La Liga Champions in 2011 as an 18-year-old from Ghanaian side Odometah FC but only made his first senior appearance for the side three years later in a home win against Espanyol after spending 2 years on loan at Mallorca and Almeria. Partey, in the last two seasons, has largely been used off the bench getting very limited time on the pitch. He made 9 starts in the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 seasons combined, but there was no doubt about Partey’s potential as he continuously showed glimpses of his abilities in the limited time he was given on the pitch.

Partey’s decision to accept a 5 year contract renewal from Atletico in the summer of 2017 came as a surprise to many who thought a move away from the club would’ve provided him more opportunities to shine. But fast forward to 2017/2018 and the Ghana international is almost the first name on the Atletico team sheet.

Partey has started all but 3 of Atletico’s league games this season scoring twice and producing two Man of the Match performances. His 90th-minute winner against Deportivo this season summed up the sort of influence he’s had on the Madrid club this season. He has however been quick to praise his club manager Diego Simeone for his transformation this season. Simeone gave Partey his debut at the club and was the main reason why the Ghana international signed the contract extension with the club.

“Simeone allowing me time to develop was important and I had to wait for my chances. The manager spoke to me many times in the past to keep me involved and now I am playing more.

“He is great at motivating the players and makes it clear to us how he wants us to play and how we can continue to improve,” Partey said.

Partey’s remarkable evolution has also been seen in his performances with the Black Stars. The midfielder who made his debut for the side in June last year under former Head Coach Avram Grant, has grown to become arguably the most important player for the Black Stars. He showed glimpses of his true potential at the AFCON this year where he was one of the standout players in the Black Stars team which lost in the semifinals to eventual champions Cameroon. He scored his first goal for the team in September in a 2018 World Cup qualifier against Congo at the Baba Yara Stadium grabbing a late equalizer for the team in a 1-1 draw. Partey then went on to cement his status as one of the Africa’s leading midfielders when his hat-trick against Congo days after, in the return leg of the qualifier helped Ghana to an impressive 5-1 win in Brazzaville.

Partey is made up of the power of Essien and the attacking mind and drive of Yaya Toure. His tactical discipline and ability to read the game is what sets him apart from the rest. The central midfielder’s versatility has also come to light in recent weeks in his performances for the Madrid based side. As evidenced by the heat maps above, Partey has exhibited a tremendous versatile ability, akin to what Essien had in his prime days. In the game against Deportivo, he spent his 90 minutes powering up and down the right side of midfield; and in the game against Chelsea, he excelled playing centrally – a testament to his overall prowess as a midfield general. It seems that Simeone has finally found a way to fit his Ghanaian gem in his side, and this new role is working to perfection.

The story of Partey is one of sheer will and determination to succeed; the young man who left the shores of Ghana as a teenager, and had to adapt to a completely different culture and way of life, while having to focus on his football. From struggling to make the bench to becoming a fan favourite, Partey has arrived and the world is taking notice!

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By: Daniel Koranteng/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post From Odumase to Madrid: Partey has arrived [Article] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Substitute Batshuayi tapped home from close range with the last kick of the game from Marcos Alonso’s cross.

The Blues fell behind to a 40th-minute Antoine Griezmann penalty despite having the better of the first half when David Luiz needlessly pulled the shirt of Lucas Hernandez at a corner.

But Chelsea, who hit the post through Eden Hazard in the opening stages, again impressed after the interval and were rewarded when Alvaro Morata equalised with his fourth goal in five days.

The Spaniard deftly flicked Hazard’s accurate left-wing cross into the far corner for his first Champions League goal for Chelsea.

Batshuayi’s winner came after missed opportunities for Cesc Fabregas and Morata as Chelsea became the first English team to win away at Atletico and condemn them to defeat in their first European game at their new stadium.

It also ends an 11-game unbeaten run at home in Europe for Atletico, who have reached two Champions League finals in the past four seasons.

Victory means Chelsea stay top of Group C on six points, two clear of Roma and five ahead of third-placed Atletico.

Super sub Batshuayi seals famous win

With Atletico-bound Diego Costa watching from the stands ahead of his impending move from Chelsea, the club’s two remaining strikers – Batshuayi and Morata – showed that the side still have plenty of fire power to worry Europe’s elite.

Batshuayi’s goal was a brilliantly worked team goal, starting with a free-kick that Chelsea chose not to hit long despite it being late in the game.

The move included nine Chelsea passes as the ball was worked across the pitch before Batshuayi converted for another decisive goal from the bench – with the Belgian having done the same to seal the Premier League title in May against West Brom.

Morata’s goal was the first Atletico have conceded at the Wanda Metropolitano since moving from the Vincente Calderon this season and it is just the second time Atletico have lost under Diego Simeone in 24 Champions League home games.

Morata and Hazard inspire Chelsea

Alvaro Morata was making his Champions League debut for Chelsea

The goals for Morata and Batshuayi will give them the headlines but credit must also go to Hazard on just his second start of the season.

It was the first time the Belgian and summer signing Morata had started a game together and they combined excellently throughout with Hazard playing in a more advanced position than last season alongside the striker.

Morata had six shots on the night and Hazard four, both more than any other player on either side.

Hazard’s cross for Morata’s goal was perfect, while he also made another six key passes, again the most of any player.

Morata was loudly booed on his return to Madrid following his goal, having signed for Chelsea from Real, but he continues his impressive start for the London club.

He has scored eight goals in nine appearances since his club-record £60m summer move and if that were to continue, Costa – who had his head in his hands at the full-time whistle – may soon be forgotten.

Atletico falter in ‘Wanda’ opener

Simeone’s side had made the perfect start to life at their new stadium domestically, with two wins without conceding helping them to second in the Spanish top flight.

The ground’s European debut pitted two of Europe’s most passionate managers against each other, and both contributed to a raucous atmosphere that was no different to Atletico’s days at the Calderon.

Simeone waved furiously to the crowd when Griezmann scored the club’s first European goal at the Wanda Metropolitano as the atmosphere intensified.

At that point, Chelsea’s impressive performance was in danger of being wasted by Luiz as he made no attempt to head the ball and instead pulled back Hernandez.

But instead Chelsea produced an almost-perfect away performance to ensure it was them celebrating with their fans at the full-time whistle.

Man of the match – Alvaro Morata

‘Chelsea were superior tactically and physically’ – what they said

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte: “It’s very difficult when Atletico score [first] to come back. Despite this we deserved to win, we continued to play with good personality, we kept our head on the pitch in every moment.

“We must be pleased with the performance and overall the personality we showed. I always tell my players that it doesn’t change when you play at home or away, you have to play with the same personality and desire to play and try to deserve to win.”

Chelsea forward Eden Hazard on BT Sport: “We have the kind of player in the team to do something: Alvaro, me, Michy, Willian.

“Michy scores every time he’s on the field! He can score every time. I’m so happy for him.”

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone: “Chelsea felt more comfortable than us and won the game deservedly.

“They were superior tactically and physically. They are a very competitive team, they showed more maturity than us and we have to congratulate them.”

Chelsea breach Atletico fortress – the best stats

• Chelsea are the first side to win away in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid in the Spaniards’ last 12 games in the competition on home soil (since losing to Benfica in September 2015).
• Chelsea are also only the fourth side to score away to Atletico in Europe in the Spanish club’s last 20 games on home soil.
• The Blues are now unbeaten in their last 10 Champions League away games against Spanish sides (W3 D7).
• Since the start of 2015-16, Antoine Griezmann has had a hand in 51.5% of Atletico Madrid’s 33 Champions League goals (14 goals, three assists)
• Alvaro Morata has scored his first goal against Atletico Madrid in his seventh game against them in all competitions.
• Morata has bagged seven goals in his eight games in all competitions for Chelsea this season.
• Eden Hazard has provided three assists in his last three games in all competitions for the Blues, as many as in his previous 23.
• Michy Batshuayi has scored five goals in his last three games for Chelsea in all competitions, as many as in his previous 16.
• In 2017, no player has scored more substitute goals for a Premier League club in all competitions than Michy Batshuayi (four, level with Olivier Giroud).

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Source: BBC Sport

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Sources indicate Atletico will pay more than £50m for the Spain international, who will now have a medical in Madrid and discuss personal terms.

Chelsea will not be subsiding his wages after he has signed for Atletico.

A Chelsea statement read: “Chelsea Football Club has today agreed terms with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Diego Costa.

Diego Costa was deemed surplus to requirements by Antonio Conte in the summer

“The transfer will be subject to the agreement of personal terms and a medical.”

Costa refused to return to Chelsea’s Cobham training base this summer, instead remaining in Brazil in hope that Atletico could strike a deal to bring him back to Madrid.

Atletico failed to push through the move before the transfer deadline, safe in the knowledge that Costa would not be able to play for them until January due to the club’s transfer ban.

Costa has not played for 98 days since he appeared for Spain in a World Cup Qualifier against Macedonia in June.

The 28-year-old scored 20 goals in 35 Premier League appearances last season as Chelsea cruised to the Premier League title, but was deemed surplus to requirements by head coach Antonio Conte in the summer.

Costa spent four years at Atletico before joining Chelsea in July 2014 after they met his £32m buy-out clause.

He went on to score 59 goals in 120 matches during his time with Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles and one League Cup.

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Source: Sky Sports

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Schmidt lost his job after four defeats in six Bundesliga games, ending with a 6-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund.

Ex-Hannover boss Korkut, 42, was named Kaiserslautern boss last summer but resigned after only six months.

Leverkusen are 10th in the league and trail Atletico Madrid 4-2 in their Champions League last-16 tie.

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Source: BBC

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