BARCELONA: Artem Dovbyk struck a hat-trick inside seven minutes as minnows Girona powered back to the top of La Liga with a thumping 5-1 win over Sevilla on Sunday.

After Real Madrid scraped a controversial 3-2 win over bottom side Almeria and a treble by Ferran Torres helped Barca win 4-2 at Real Betis, Girona demonstrated their title credentials.

The Catalan club, in the top flight for only the fourth season in their history, are shock challengers for the Spanish title and lead second-place Real by a point, having played one extra game.

Real’s victory over winless Almeria, which took them temporarily top before Girona played, was steeped in drama and controversy.

Dani Carvajal rammed home the winner in the 99th minute to settle a wild and hugely entertaining clash at the Santiago Bernabeu where Los Blancos had trailed 2-0.

Almeria took a two-goal lead through Largie Ramazani’s 38th minute strike and a screamer from Edgar Gonzalez.

Real battled back to triumph as Jude Bellingham converted a penalty and Vinicius Junior used his upper arm to divert home an equaliser, before Carvajal’s last-gasp winner.

Real had three key VAR adjudications go in their favour, including Vinicius’ goal which Almeria considered handball, a goal of their own ruled out and a penalty given to Real.

“(We leave) with the feeling we’ve been robbed,” complained Almeria midfielder Gonzalo Melero.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti disagreed.

“I understand Almeria’s anger with the VAR decisions, but I think they were well judged,” Ancelotti told reporters.Meanwhile, Barcelona, third, let a two-goal lead slip against Betis but recovered to stay in the title race.

Torres scored twice to put Barca two ahead but they surrendered their lead as former Real playmaker Isco struck a brace of his own.

Joao Felix finished deftly in the 90th minute and Torres netted again to secure victory for the Catalans, who trail neighbours Girona by eight points.Barca coach Xavi Hernandez was pleased with their performances but also chose to express his concern at the refereeing in Real’s win.

“If we talk they will suspend us, but everybody has seen it,” said Xavi. “I already said … there were things that didn’t fit right with me in this league.

“There are things that we can’t control and everyone has seen that.”

At Girona’s Montilivi stadium, struggling Sevilla, 17th, and just a point above the relegation zone, took a surprise lead through Isaac Romero.

However Dovbyk’s rapid treble between the 13th and 19th minutes saw Michel Sanchez’s sparkling side take full control.

Ukrainian compatriot Viktor Tsygankov got in on the action early in the second half and substitute Cristhian Stuani rounded off the rout.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2024