Kylian Mbappe struck twice and produced a brilliant performance to power Real Madrid to a 4-1 win over Las Palmas and take the reigning champions top of La Liga on Sunday.

Los Blancos enjoyed a perfect weekend, overtaking Atletico Madrid by two points after their neighbours slipped up with a shock defeat at Leganes on Saturday, while Barcelona, third, could only draw at Getafe.

Mbappe has hit top form in recent weeks after an inconsistent start to life at Real Madrid following his dream switch from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

The 26-year-old reached 12 league goals with his brace, becoming the Spanish league’s second top-scorer behind Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, with Brahim Diaz and Rodrygo Goes also on target.

“It was a very important game because we knew what had happened yesterday, with Atletico and Barca, we wanted to win and we did,” Mbappe told Real Madrid TV.

“We started badly, letting in a goal (so early)… but the reaction was top.

“We got the ball forward, quickly, attacking the spaces and with quality, we scored a lot of goals… we’re happy because we’re leaders.”

Mbappe has 18 goals for the season in 30 appearances across all competitions, and is looking increasingly crucial for his side in attack.

With Vinicius Junior suspended, the spotlight was on the French forward at the Santiago Bernabeu and he delivered with a sparkling performance.

“I am very happy, I have adapted to the team and I can play how I want, with my team-mates, with personality,” continued Mbappe.

“I think that we are all enjoying it.”

Madrid were thrashed by Barcelona last week in the Spanish Super Cup final, leading to some whistles for the team when they played at home in midweek in the Copa del Rey.

Mbappe posted on social media network Instagram to encourage the fans to stick together and support the team.

“I think we have to be united, and like that, we can go for all the trophies,” he explained.

Las Palmas took a surprise lead in just over 30 seconds when a rapid move sliced open Madrid’s defence.

Sandro Ramirez crossed for Fabio Silva to apply the finishing touch from close range.

– Strong response –

Madrid hit back strongly, with Diaz shooting wide when he should have scored, and Mbappe’s fierce effort tipped away by Jasper Cillessen.

Mbappe, who came in for heavy criticism after missing two penalties towards the end of 2024, levelled from the spot after Sandro clumsily felled Rodrygo.

The striker was involved in Madrid’s second goal, with the rebound from his saved shot falling to Lucas Vazquez, who squared for Diaz to convert.

Mbappe netted his second with a fine finish which arced into the top corner after Rodrygo cut the ball back.

Mbappe thought he had completed his hat-trick before the break but the goal was ruled offside in the build-up.

Jude Bellingham hit the side-netting early in the second half when he should have scored, but Madrid’s fourth goal did not take long to arrive.

Rodrygo stroked home from Fran Garcia’s low cross after Mbappe played the left-back in.

Bellingham and Fede Valverde had strikes ruled out for offside as Madrid continued to dominate, and they were able to welcome David Alaba back as a substitute after more than a year out with a serious knee injury.

“(Alaba) is a player who can help us a lot, you don’t know how much it means for us to have him back on the pitch with us,” Madrid’s Dani Ceballos told DAZN.

Midfielder Ceballos had one of his best games for Madrid and was given an ovation by the Santiago Bernabeu.

“I have worked, waited for my moment, and now I have to keep working,” he added.

AFP

Ruben Amorim made the astonishing admission that his Manchester United flops are the worst team in the club’s history after Sunday’s dismal 3-1 defeat against Brighton.

United crumbled to a sixth loss in 11 Premier League games since Amorim arrived from Sporting Lisbon to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag.

“We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United,” Amorim said after his side’s wretched display at Old Trafford.

“I know you want headlines but I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change that. Here you go: your headlines.

“Imagine what this is for a fan of Manchester United. Imagine what this is for me. We are getting a new coach who is losing more than the last coach. I have full knowledge of that,” he added.

Amorim’s side are languishing in 13th place and although they are 10 points above the relegation zone, they are far from certain to avoid being dragged into the survival struggle on the evidence of Sunday’s display.

Yankuba Minteh set the tone for United’s moribund performance with an early opener for Brighton.

Bruno Fernandes equalised with a penalty before half-time, but second-half goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter left United in turmoil.

United have suffered six home league defeats this season, their most from their opening 12 matches of a season since 1893-94.

They have also lost 10 of their 22 league games this season, the earliest into a top-flight campaign that they have hit double figures for defeats since 1989-90.

While United have not been dragged completely into the fight for survival just yet, Amorim must find a way to get results to avoid the pressure on him becoming intolerable.

The 39-year-old arrived at United in November, hailed as one of Europe’s brightest young coaches.

But his preferred 3-4-3 formation is not suited to the players in United’s squad.

Yet, while he admitted he is only thinking of avoiding relegation now, the Portuguese coach refuses to change his philosophy.

“I am not going to change, no matter what. I know we can succeed but we need to survive this moment. I am not naive. We need to survive now,” Amorim said.

AFP

Yankuba Minteh and Kaoru Mitoma registered a goal and assist each as Brighton secured their third straight win at Old Trafford.
Brighton became the second team in Premier League history to record three straight wins at Old Trafford by beating Manchester United 3-1 on Sunday.

Only Manchester City have previously strung that number of victories together at the Theatre of Dreams, and it was a deserved victory for Fabian Hurzeler’s side.

Yankuba Minteh had the visitors ahead after five minutes, only for Bruno Fernandes to draw United level from the penalty spot soon following Carlos Baleba’s foul on Joshua Zirkzee.

The Seagulls took control after the break, though, with Kaoru Mitoma putting them back in front before substitute Georginio Rutter capitalised on a mistake by Andre Onana to seal the win.

The result moves Brighton up to ninth in the table, while United’s first defeat of the new year leaves them down in 13th on 26 points.

Brighton secured their third straight win at this venue, but it is not just the Seagulls who have enjoyed trips to Old Trafford of late.

United have lost four of their last five league home games overall, previously being beaten by Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Newcastle, and their performance was uninspired once again.

Ruben Amorim’s side mustered just 10 shots on goal despite spending the last half hour behind and lost the xG battle 1.41-1.98.

In total, United have lost 10 of their 22 Premier League games this season, the earliest into a league campaign that they have hit double figures for defeats since 1989-90 under Alex Ferguson.

Six home losses is the most from their opening 12 home games of a league campaign since 1893-94.