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A much-changed Real Madrid ground out a 2-0 victory at third-tier Fuenlabrada in their King’s Cup last-32 first leg on Thursday, needing two dubious penalties to break down their stubborn hosts as both sides finished with 10 men.
Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez converted from the spot in the second half to put Zinedine Zidane's side in control of the tie before the return at the Bernabeu in a month's time.
Las Palmas recorded an impressive 4-1 win away to Deportivo La Coruna while Levante won 2-0 at Girona in the night’s other all-La Liga clash and a spectacular Sergio Canales effort saw Real Sociedad earn a 1-0 win over third-tier hosts Lleida.
Real are seeking to win the competition for the first time since 2014 but Zidane gave opportunities to several squad members for the visit to their lowly local rivals.
There were few chances during an even first half in which Fuenlabrada more than held their own against the illustrious visitors.
Just before the break, however, Madrid took charge and midfielder Marcos Llorente saw a rasping volley tipped onto the bar by former Real goalkeeper Jordi Codina.
The second half started in a similar vein and Asensio gave Madrid the lead on the hour after Achraf Hakimi was pulled back by Fran Garcia.
The foul appeared to be outside the box but referee Ignacio Iglesias deemed that the contact continued into the area and pointed to the spot.
Codina then twice denied young Madrid striker Borja Mayoral in spectacular fashion as the Liga and European champions looked to turn the screw, with Vazquez then firing wide from distance.
Vazquez did score with a penalty 10 minutes from time when Paco Candela was adjudged to have fouled Theo Hernandez from a corner, the midfielder being shown a second yellow card.
With the clock ticking down, Jesus Vallejo was shown a straight red on his Madrid debut for a high tackle on Luis Milla as tempers threatened to flare.
Holders Manchester Utd at Bristol City after delayed draw
Holders Manchester United will travel to Championship side Bristol City in the League Cup quarter-finals following an embarrassing delayed draw on Thursday.
The draw was scheduled to be broadcast live on Twitter at 1600 local time, but was delayed by nearly two hours due to technical problems before being shown in a pre-recorded video.
"We're sorry for the issues that led to the delay of today's Round Five draw," Twitter UK said in a statement.
"We would also like to apologise to the thousands of supporters who had been patiently awaiting news of who their team would be playing."
Arsenal host London rivals West Ham United and Premier League leaders Manchester City are at Leicester City in a repeat of their match at the same stage of the competition in 2013-14.
Manchester City won that game 3-1 and went on to lift the trophy.
Champions Chelsea welcome Bournemouth in the other quarter-final with all matches to be played in the week commencing Dec. 18.
The English Football League (EFL) said a number of technical issues had affected the draw.
"The EFL has received an apology from Twitter UK for the delay which is believed to have occurred as a result of a faulty encoder," the organisers said.
"The EFL has requested a full explanation into the events that led to this afternoon's unacceptable delay."
Neymar gets one match ban for Marseille red
Neymar was handed a one-match ban after being sent off in PSG's explosive 2-2 draw at bitter rivals Marseille at the weekend.
The Brazilian forward will miss Friday's Ligue 1 visit from Mario Balotelli's Nice.
Neymar grabbed a brilliant equaliser in a fiery encounter at Marseille Sunday before his side went down 2-1 with ten minutes to go.
Leading the chase for another equaliser, Neymar appeared to lose his cool, picking up two yellows in quick succession for retaliation.
His teammate Edinson Cavani levelled with a dramatic injury-time free-kick to save a point for the Ligue 1 leaders.
PSG coach Unai Emery has told his 25-year-old star to wise up to provocation tactics.
"He is intelligent. He is also aware that he must learn from what happened on Sunday," said Emery on Thursday.
"I spoke to him about it before the match and we said not to get involved in any provocation. But on the pitch, with the intensity and the aggression, the players are people
The 222 million-euro ($264 million) Brazilian has scored 10 goals in 11 games since his move from Barcelona.
Neymar was also given a further one-match suspended ban that will be activated should he be sent off again this season.
Team GB boxer Ali tests positive for a steroid
Team GB boxer Muhammad Ali has been provisionally suspended from all international and domestic competitions after testing positive for a banned steroid, the international amateur boxing association (AIBA) said on Thursday.
Ali tested positive during a World Series Boxing match between Morocco Atlas Lions and British Lionhearts in Casablanca in April.
AIBA said on its website it would not make any further comment on the matter until its anti-doping panel had heard the 21-year-old's case.
GB Boxing said that a member of its squad had tested positive for a banned substance, although it did not name Ali.
"This is the first time that a member of the GB Boxing squad has tested positive for a banned substance," the British boxing organisation said in a statement.
"GB Boxing is committed to clean sport and we work in partnership with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and our International Federation to provide extensive education and support to our boxers on anti-doping rules, the anti-doping obligations upon them as athletes and the importance of adhering to the principles of clean sport."
Ali, a silver medallist at the 2014 World Youth Championships and 2016 European Championships, lost his first round of the flyweight competition at last year's Rio Olympics.
