New Year’s Eve: Country Artists Work the Night Shift

For country music fans, the top picks of New Year’s Eve entertainment will be taking place in Nashville and Austin — two cities where country reigns, of course — and also in New York City.
In Music City, the seventh annual Jack Daniel’s Bash on Broadway is expected to draw an estimated 150,000 people to Lower Broadway in downtown Nashville for a free concert headlined by Kings of Leon, along with Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini and country newcomers LANco, among others. A 15-foot-tall red Music Note Drop will descend from a 145-foot structure to signal the arrival of 2016. Should anyone overlook the magic moment, it will also trigger a fireworks display and confetti cannons.
Elsewhere in Nashville, Old Crow Medicine Show will ring in the New Year at the Ryman Auditorium. The show has been sold out for months, but WSM-AM/Nashville will be broadcasting the concert and streaming it live beginning at 10:30 p.m. CT at WSMonline.com.
Also in Twang Town, Marty Stuart and his band, the Fabulous Superlatives, will be rocking the house at City Winery. Local favorite Chris Knight is at the Exit/In, and the Grascals will be sharing their music at Nashville’s bluegrass mecca — the Station Inn. Fans of the Nashville TV series may gravitate to the famed Bluebird Café for a writers-in-the-round session with Thom Schuyler, Fred Knobloch, Tony Arata and Jelly Roll Johnson
In Texas, Willie Nelson has enlisted Kacey Musgraves to join him for his annual show at Austin City Limits Live at Moody Theater. Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real will set the mood for the celebration. The concert will air live on Sirius XM satellite radio’s Willie’s Roadhouse channel.
In New York City, the annual Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest special will include performances by Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan, along with Jimmy Buffett’s promise to perform “Margaritaville” from the concert he’s playing with Huey Lewis and the News.
Looks like Bryan is already in New York and has caught up with Seacrest’s co-host Jenny McCarthy.
On NBC, New Year’s Eve With Carson Daly Live doesn’t include any country performers, per se, although it will include an appearance by Gwen Stefani, and most of America is aware she’s dating Blake Shelton, her cohort on The Voice.
Although this is by no means a comprehensive list of all New Year’s Eve events, here’s a quick overview of other country artists who will be working the late shift:
Little Big Town/Holly Williams: Mohegan Sun Arena (Uncasville, Connecticut)
Chris Janson/The Swon Brothers: Grand Casino Mille Lacs Event Center (Onamia, Minnesota)
Colt Ford: Wild Bill’s (Duluth, Georgia)
Kid Rock: KFC Yum Center (Louisville, Kentucky)
Avett Brothers: Greensboro Coliseum (Greensboro, North Carolina)
Randy Rogers Band: Cain’s Ballroom (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
LoCash: 8 Seconds Saloon (Indianapolis)
Greensky Bluegrass: Royal Oak Theatre (Royal Oak, Michigan)
Shinyribs: Gruene Hall (New Braunfels, Texas)
Pokey LaFarge: The Pageant (St. Louis)
The Infamous Stringdusters: Rams Head Live (Baltimore)
Cory Morrow: House of Blues (Dallas)
Wade Bowen: John T. Floore Country Store (Helotes, Texas)

2015 Country Music News in Review

 

In an industry that’s congenitally prone to patting itself on the back, 2015 was an especially congratulatory year for country music artists. Several ascended to the various halls of fame.
Others contented themselves with armloads of trophies. The brightest new stars in the country firmament were Chris Stapleton, who emerged from the CMA Awards with wins in three categories and the most-talked-about live performance of the year, and Sam Hunt, who had the year’s bestselling album,.
But there was ample sad news, too. Country Music Hall of Famers Little Jimmy Dickens, Jim Ed Brown and Billy Sherrill passed away, and Blake and Miranda were divorced, as were Reba McEntire and Narvel Blackstock.
In the stars-of-the-recent-past category, Shania Twain announced her final tour, while the Dixie Chicks trumpeted that they would return to touring.
Here’s the compact, freeze-dried version of country music in 2015:
January
Grand Ole Opry star and Country Music Hall of Fame member Little Jimmy Dickens dies at 94. … Nielsen Music’s 2014 year-end report lists Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Garth Brooks, Jason Aldean and Brantley Gilbert among American’s bestselling album artists. … Blake Shelton hosts Saturday Night Live. … Taylor Swift makes surprise appearance at Nashville party for Grammy nominees. … Eric Church plays solo acoustic show in Salt Lake City after band and crew become ill with stomach flu.
February
At the Grammy Awards winners include Miranda Lambert’s Platinum (best country album), Carrie Underwood’s “Something in the Water” (best country solo performance), The Band Perry’s “Gentle on My Mind” (best country duo/group performance), Glen Campbell’s “I’m Not Gonna Miss You” (best country song) and the Earls of Leicester’s The Earls of Leicester (best bluegrass album). … Tim McGraw sings Glen Campbell’s nominated “I’m Not Gonna Miss You” at Academy Awards show. … Eric Paslay, Sam Hunt, Maddie & Tae, Frankie Ballard and Cole Swindell perform on Country Radio Broadcasters’ New Faces show. … CMT Crossroads: Bob Seger and Jason Aldean premieres.
March
Shania Twain announces she will commence her final tour in June. … Jason Aldean marries Brittany Kerr. … Some radio stations say they will not play Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” because of listener misperceived complaints about its content. … Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opens the exhibit Dylan, Cash and the Nashville Cats: A New Music City.
April
Luke Bryan named Academy of Country Music’s entertainer of the year. Other ACM winners include Miranda Lambert (female vocalist), Jason Aldean (male vocalist), Little Big Town (vocal group), Florida Georgia Line (vocal duo), Cole Swindell (new artist), Lambert’s Platinum (album of the year), Lee Brice’s “I Don’t Dance” (single record of the year), Lambert’s “Automatic” (song of the year), Florida Georgia Line’s “This Is How We Roll” featuring Bryan (vocal event of the year) and Luke Laird (songwriter of the year).
May
Florida Georgia Line named top country artist, and Jason Aldean wins for top country album (Old Boots, New Dirt) and song (“Burnin’ It Down”) at Billboard Music Awards. … Consultant Keith Hill sparks a furor when he advises radio programmers to play more records by males and fewer by females and uses the unfortunate metaphor that men are the “lettuce” and women the “tomatoes” in the ideal playlist salad.
June
Carrie Underwood is the big winner at the CMT Music Awards, taking home trophies in three categories, one of which she shared with co-star Miranda Lambert. Also winning were Sam Hunt, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean and Bob Seger, Lady Antebellum and Luke Bryan. … Grand Ole Opry star and impending Country Music Hall of Fame member Jim Ed Brown dies at 81. … Superstar-heavy CMA Music Festival draws an average of 87,680 fans on each of its four days. . . . Headlined by Ty Herndon, country music’s gay community and its sympathizers stage “Concert for Love and Acceptance” at Nashville’s City Winery. … Brad Paisley opens for the Rolling Stones at Nashville’s LP Field. … Bobby Braddock and Toby Keith inducted into New York-based Songwriters Hall of Fame. … Country Radio Broadcasters present Dwight Yoakam a career achievement award.
July
Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” sets Billboard chart history for a group act by staying the No. 1 country song for 11-consecutive weeks, thereby beating the Brown’s 10-week tenure for “The Three Bells” in 1959. … Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert confirm they are divorcing after four years of marriage.
August
Reba McEntire and her husband-manager, Narvel Blackstock, announce they are ending their 26-year marriage. … Billy Sherrill, the legendary songwriter and producer of such superstars as Tammy Wynette, George Jones and Charlie Rich dies at 78. He is also a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. … Charlie Daniels stages Volunteer Jam in Nashville after long hiatus. … Taylor Swift invites Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines to the stage at Los Angeles concert. … Flyin’ Saucers Rock & Roll: The Cosmic Genius of Sam Phillips exhibit opens at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. … CMT Crossroads: Lynyrd Skynyrd and Brantley Gilbert premieres.
September
Academy of Country Music presents Loretta Lynn its Crystal Milestone award and Alabama its career achievement trophy. … Americana Music Association names Sturgill Simpson artist of the year and Lucinda Williams’ Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone album of the year.
October
Earls of Leicester sweep International Bluegrass Music Association Awards show. Bill Keith and Larry Sparks inducted into International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. … Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley announces he will record and tour as soloist tour while Lady A is on hiatus. … Rosanne Cash, Even Stevens, Mark James and Craig Wiseman inducted into Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. … The Browns, the Oak Ridge Boys and guitarist Grady Martin inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame. … CMT Crossroads: REO Speedwagon and Sara Evans premieres.
November
SESAC declares Cary Barlowe its songwriter of the year and “Homegrown” its song of the year. … Former President Jimmy Carter is surprise guest as ASCAP names Ashley Gorley and Sam Hunt songwriters of the year and “Leave the Night On” top song. … BMI cites Rodney Clawson as top songwriter, “Beat of the Music” top song and Mac Davis its Icon award-winner. . . Chris Stapleton-Justin Timberlake duet brings down the house at the CMA award show. The official winners are Luke Bryan (entertainer of the year), Miranda Lambert (female vocalist), Stapleton (male vocalist and new artist), Little Big Town (vocal group), Florida Georgia Line (vocal duo), Stapleton’s Traveller (top album), Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” (single and song), Keith Urban’s “Raise ‘Em Up,” featuring Eric Church (musical event), Maddie & Tae’s “Girl in a Country Song” (music video) and Mac McAnally (top musician). … Dixie Chicks announce they will tour in 2016. … Willie Nelson wins Gershwin Prize for Popular Song from the Library of Congress. … American Music Awards proclaim Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood favorite country artists, Sam Hunt new artist of the year.
December
CMT honors Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Sam Hunt, Florida Georgia Line, Kenny Rogers, Chris Stapleton and the cast of the Nashville TV series at its CMT Artists of the Year ceremonies. … Billboard calculates that Sam Hunt’s Montevallo is year’s bestselling country album.

Grammy-Winning Singer Natalie Cole Dies At 65

 

The singer, who had suffered drug addiction and hepatitis, "fought a fierce, courageous battle", her family said.

Natalie Cole, the singer and daughter of jazz legend Nat King Cole, has died at the age of 65.

She passed away on Thursday evening from ongoing health issues at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, her family said.
TMZ reports she died from congestive heart failure. Cole had a kidney transplant in 2009 after contracting hepatitis C, which she blamed on her past intravenous drug abuse.

Natalie's parents, Nat King Cole (R) and singer Maria Ellington

"Natalie fought a fierce, courageous battle, dying how she lived ... with dignity, strength and honor," read a statement from her son, Robert Yancy, and sisters, Timolin and Casey Cole.
"Our beloved Mother and sister will be greatly missed and remain UNFORGETTABLE in our hearts forever."

Cole, who was married three times, followed her father into the music business with hits like This Will Be (An Everlasting Love).
The Grammy winner topped the charts in 1991 with Unforgettable, a virtual duet with her late father, who died in 1965 when she was 15.
In 2000, Cole released an autobiography, Angel on My Shoulder, which chronicled her abuse of heroin and crack cocaine.
She was born in 1950 to Nat King Cole and his wife, Maria Ellington Cole, a singer with the legendary Duke Ellington band.
With her parents' pedigree, not to mention musical mentors such as Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr, she seemed destined for the stage.
Cole began performing with her father when she was just 11 years old, before embarking on a career that embraced R&B, pop and jazz.
She faced racism while growing up in Los Angeles' overwhelmingly white, upmarket Hancock Park area.
When told residents didn't want "undesirable" neighbours, the young starlet said: "Neither do I, and if I see (any), I'll be the first to complain."
Her 1991 album, Unforgettable, which reworked some of her father's best-known hits, sold 14 million copies and won six of her nine Grammys.
Cole also took television acting roles, appearing on Grey's Anatomy and Touched by an Angel, a supernatural drama.

Chris Brown Accused Of Las Vegas Hotel Attack

 

The musician's publicist says the woman's allegations are "unequivocally untrue" and his accuser was "out of control".

R&B singer Chris Brown has denied claims he punched a woman who took a photo of him in a Las Vegas hotel.

Police have said they are investigating an allegation of battery against the 26-year-old musician.
Officers received a call on Saturday morning about the alleged attack at the Palms Casino Resort.
The alleged altercation took place in a room at the resort when the victim tried to take a picture of Brown.
Police said the woman told them she was struck by the Grammy winner and that he had taken her mobile phone.

Brown admitted attacking his then-girlfriend, Rihanna, in 2009

Detectives tried to speak with Brown at his hotel room, but the singer left before police had arrived.
Police have not named the alleged victim, but she was identified by celebrity news website TMZ as a Brazilian model.
Investigators said Brown has been listed as a suspect for misdemeanor theft and misdemeanor battery in the case.
But Nicole Perna, publicist for Brown, issued a statement on Saturday night calling the charges "unequivocally untrue".

Brown served 108 days in jail after punching a man in 2013

The accuser "was escorted out of the private after party at the Palms Casino Resort for being disruptive and out of control", Ms Perna told the AP.
"Once she was in the hallway, while waiting for Chris Brown's security to bring out her phone, she had a total meltdown - throwing her purse to the ground and claiming that she 'could buy everyone in the hotel'.
"Her claim that she had her phone in her possession inside the after party and was able to take a photo causing an altercation with Chris Brown is a complete fabrication," Ms Perna added.
Brown performed on Friday at Drai's nightclub at the Cromwell Las Vegas, where he appears regularly.
In 2009, the singer pleaded guilty to felony assault in a case involving his then-girlfriend, Rihanna.
He pleaded guilty to a separate misdemeanor assault in Washington DC in 2013, while serving five years' probation in the Rihanna case.

Mark Zuckerberg Reveals Plan For A.I. Butler

 

The Facebook boss wants an artificial intelligence system in his home which could let friends in when they ring the doorbell.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has said he wants to build an artificially intelligent assistant to help him at home and work.

Mr Zuckerberg, who commits to a new personal challenge every year, revealed his plan in a Facebook post.
"You can think of it kind of like Jarvis in Iron Man," he wrote, referring to the artificially intelligent butler who appears in the Marvel comic books and films.
Mr Zuckerberg said he would start the project by exploring existing technology, and then begin teaching the technology to understand his voice so it can learn to control everything in his home, such as music, lights and temperature.
His plan also includes teaching the assistant to let his friends into his home by looking at their faces when they ring the doorbell.

Video: Zuckerberg On Hollywood Portrayal

Mr Zuckerberg also wrote in the post that he wants the assistant to visualise data to support him at work.
He said: "This should be a fun intellectual challenge to code this for myself.
"I'm looking forward to sharing what I learn over the course of the year."

Video: Zuckerberg Inspired By New Baby

Other challenges Mr Zuckerberg has taken on in recent years have included reading two books every month and learning Mandarin.

Eleven Dead As Quake Rocks Eastern India

At least eleven people have been killed and almost 200 injured after an earthquake measuring 6.8 magnitude in eastern India.

The quake struck 29km (18 miles) west of the northeastern city of Imphal at 4.35am (11.05pm UK time), according to the US Geological Survey.
The pre-dawn quake killed six people in Imphal and five in neighbouring country Bangladesh, officials said.
The rescue operation in Imphal is being hampered by severed power supplies and telecommunication links across the city, which is home to 270,000 people.

"It was like being tossed around in a frying pan," said Joy Thanglian, a 33-year-old employee of state energy firm Bharat Petroleum. "Then we ran outside."
Imphal resident Deepak Shijagurumayum added: "Almost everyone was asleep when it struck and were thrown out of their beds.
"People were crying and praying in the streets and in open spaces. Hundreds remained outdoors for several hours fearing aftershocks."
There were similar scenes in the northeast city of Guwahati.

The quake was felt as far away as the Myanmar city of Yangon, 1,176km (730 miles) to the south.
As well as five deaths from heart attacks, another 90 people have been injured in Bangladesh.
Tremors were also felt in Nepal.
India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, wrote on Twitter that he is in touch with authorities in the affected area - though some have criticised the government's response.
"We haven't seen any help from the government side," said disaster volunteer worker Kanarjit Kangujam. "The government has not given us any information."
He added that the quake was the biggest that has been felt in Imphal.
The quake was 57km (35 miles) deep, the US Geological Survey said.

Bahrain Orders Iranian Diplomats To Leave

Bahrain has followed Saudi Arabia in severing diplomatic ties with Iran and ordering Iranian diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours.

The Bahrainis said the decision was triggered by the "cowardly" attacks on the Saudi embassy in Iran by protesters angry at the execution of Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al Nimr.
The United Arab Emirates has also announced it is downgrading diplomatic ties with Iran, while Saudi media is reporting that Sudan has expelled the Iranian ambassador there.

The interventions by Bahrain, UAE and Sudan, which like Saudi Arabia are predominantly Sunni, represent another escalation in tension between the two branches of Islam.
Iran, a Shia powerhouse, has accused Saudi Arabia of using the attacks on its embassy in Tehran to deliberately stoke "tensions" in the region.

"Saudi Arabia, which thrives on tensions, has used this incident as an excuse to fuel the tensions," foreign ministry spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari said in televised remarks.
The protesters lit fires and smashed furniture in the embassy before being cleared out by police, who arrested 40 people.
No Saudi diplomats were in the embassy at the time and all have now been called home.
Iranian officials condemned the attack, as well as Sheikh al Nimr's execution by Saudi Arabia.
The 56-year-old was a driving force behind anti-government protests in Saudi during the Arab Spring of 2011.
He was put to death along with 46 other prisoners on Saturday, sparking widespread demonstrations and criticism.
The Saudis have insisted the death penalties were part of a justified war on terrorism.

But Iran's supreme leader said Saudi politicians will face "divine vengeance" for killing the cleric.
There has also been sectarian anger in eastern parts of Saudi, with hundreds of Shia Muslims marching through the streets, and demonstrations spread to countries including Turkey, Pakistan, India and Lebanon.
Police fired tear gas at demonstrators in Bahrain, while two Sunni mosques were bombed in Iraq's Hilla province.
The leader of Lebanese Shia militant group Hizbollah also strongly condemned Saudi Arabia, saying Sheikh al Nimr was a brave martyr killed only for his criticism of the Saudi ruling family.
China declared itself "highly concerned" with the developments, while Germany and the US called for calm.
A unnamed diplomat quoted by Russian state media said Moscow was ready to act as a peacemaker between the two countries.
Most of those executed on Saturday were detained after a series of attacks by al Qaeda between 2003 and 2006 in which hundreds of people were killed.

Four, including Sheikh al Nimr, were Shias accused of shooting police.
All but two - an Egyptian and a Chadian - were Saudi nationals.
Britain's Treasury minister David Gauke said the executions were "wrong", but he defended the UK's close relationship with the Saudi regime.
He told Sky News' Murnaghan programme: "When it comes to protecting British people, the Prime Minister has made it clear that intelligence from Saudi Arabia has helped save lives and protect people in the UK ...
"We have a relationship with Saudi Arabia where we are able to speak candidly to them, where these issues are raised on a regular basis by the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister and our representatives in Riyadh."

James and Isco are Real Madrid's future, not Benitez

Atletico, Barcelona, Sevilla, Villarreal and now Valencia. Rafa Benitez is still struggling against the top teams in La Liga and has failed to beat any of those rivals since joining Real Madrid in the summer. And to make matters worse, he left both Isco and James Rodriguez on the bench at Mestalla on Sunday.

Benitez led Valencia to two Liga titles in 2002 and 2004 and was greeted by a banner which read: "Rafa, you gave us the best years of our lives. Thank you!" It was a touching tribute, but it is safe to say the 55-year-old remains more popular at Mestalla than he is in Madrid these days.

The Real boss left Isco on the bench once again after failing to give the Spain midfielder a single minute in the 3-1 win at home to Real Sociedad last Wednesday and he also dropped James Rodriguez after the Colombia playmaker was caught speeding and pursued all the way to training by police in Madrid on Friday.

Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic started instead and did very well, but ultimately left his side in a sticky situation after he scythed down Joao Cancelo and was shown a straight red card with a little over 20 minutes still left on the clock.

By that time, Madrid had already thrown away a lead they had fought so hard to obtain, when Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema combined beautifully for the latter to convert. The BBC was back in business, but it didn't last long as Valencia came back into the game and levelled with a penalty just before the interval.

Moments earlier, Bale should have received a spot-kick at the other end. Madrid had benefitted from two contentious calls to win penalties against Real Sociedad, but they were out of luck this time and as against Atletico earlier this term, they had allowed their rival a way back into the game when it should have been under control.

A man down, Madrid went ahead again through a Bale header but could not hang on as Paco Alcacer levelled a minute later and there were chances at both ends in a frenetic finale. Given the circumstances of the match, it was not a bad result for Real - but once again Los Blancos fail to gain ground on Barcelona or Atletico at the top of the table. It's not good enough.

---

Asked afterwards if his coach still has credit at Real, Sergio Ramos said: "Yes, I think so. It doesn't depend on us, but whoever is here has the full support of the players."

It is the type of question being put to the team with alarming regularity now and all the while, James and Isco stayed on the bench as Benitez kept faith with the players on the pitch before bringing on Lucas Vazquez for Benzema once Kovacic had been sent off.

James is considered as a natural heir to Ronaldo by many in Madrid and the Colombian is unlikely to be happy at his reduced role, while Isco is a fan favourite who is now in talks with Manchester City amid frustration at being constantly overlooked by Benitez.







"For the effort that the team made, they deserve praise more than anything else," the former Liverpool manager said when asked if he feared for his job.

Meanwhile, many Madrid fans would be happy to see him stay behind in Valencia. And if Isco and James start to seriously consider their futures at the Santiago Bernabeu as the transfer window opens this week, Rafa's rating will fall further.

Whatever does happen, it seems almost impossible Benitez will last longer than a sole season - if indeed he hangs on for that long - and president Florentino Perez should seriously consider the damage to two of the club's prized players. Because James and Isco should both be part of Madrid's future. And Rafa, it now seems pretty clear, is not.

Ronaldo reveals plans for life after football

The Real Madrid forward, whose side face Gary Neville's Valencia on Sunday, does not imagine himself remaining in the game when the time comes to retire

Cristiano Ronaldo says he will live like a king when he retires from football, but he does not envisage himself remaining in the game as a manager. 

The Real Madrid star will turn 31 in February and it’s inevitable that over the next few years there will be rumours about his next move.

However, Ronaldo insists he is not thinking about taking on a coaching role when his time in the limelight comes to an end.

"There is another life after football,” he said in an interview with Papel. 

“I think at first it will be tough [not playing], but if you ask me now if I want to coach, I would say no. Neither [would I want to be] a club director nor a president.

“You can say you have the best job, money, cars, houses... but that is not everything. 

“One example: On Saturday there’s boxing on in Las Vegas and I would like to take my family and friends, but I can’t because I have no time. But after [football] I want to live like a king.”

After a decade spent sparring with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi to be the world’s No.1 player, the spotlight on Ronaldo’s career has led to huge amounts of pressure. 

He doesn’t feel the weight of the expectation on his shoulders, though, or the constant speculation about his life. 

"I can handle the pressure due to the hard life I’ve had,” he continued. 


“Leaving home at 11 and going into a different world, first to Lisbon and then to Manchester, was very difficult and between 11 and 18 I [learned about] stability. 

“So I’ve become the person I am today because of the time I spent without my family and going through difficult times. 

“I was a teenager, but I had to do things as a man - to the point that I had to do my own ironing. My mental strength began at that time.”

Ronaldo also dismissed the idea that other people’s opinions worried him.

He added: “Everyone can think what they want. I go to bed each day with a clear conscience and I sleep well. 

“We cannot be obsessed with what other people think of us - even God didn't please everyone.”

Valencia 2-2 Real Madrid: Benitez falls short against former club

Benzema and Bale had twice given the visitors the lead, but a Parejo penalty and Alcacer's headers evened up the scores on a frustrating comeback for the coach

Valencia denied former manager Rafael Benitez a much-needed win on his return to Mestalla as Paco Alcacer's late header earned his side a 2-2 draw with 10-man Real Madrid

Benitez, making his return to a club he guided to two La Liga titles, will likely face further difficult questions over his future after another indifferent display that saw Alcacer grab the headlines moments after Gareth Bale looked to have headed in the winner.
Karim Benzema had opened the scoring with a well-worked early goal to silence the home crowd, but Gary Neville's men were rewarded for their endeavour when captain Dani Parejo levelled from the spot before half-time.

Like in their 3-1 win over Real Sociedad on Wednesday, Benitez's men lacked fluency in the final third, with Neville's former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo failing to inspire his side to a victory that would have moved back to within two points of the summit.

Mateo Kovacic – in for James Rodriguez following the Colombian's reported speeding incident in midweek – was sent off 21 minutes from time for a poor challenge, although Bale looked to have given his manager breathing space when he nodded in Toni Kroos' delivery eight minutes from time.
However, when Alcacer headed home unmarked a minute later, Neville – still to mastermind a league win – was ensured a deserved point, while Benitez was left to rue another sloppy display.


Benitez received a warm welcome at his old club and saw Bale's deflected cross give Jaume Domenech a scare before the Welshman played a key role in Madrid's opener 16 minutes in.
Bale's back-heel found Ronaldo, who nonchalantly laid the ball off for Benzema to sweep home as Madrid's much-vaunted BBC clicked into gear early on.

The opening half hour continued in frenetic fashion before Joao Cancelo spurned the first of two glorious Valencia chances when he got between Sergio Ramos and Pepe only to head Rodrigo de Paul's cross wide.







Andre Gomes then collected De Paul's intricate pass before blazing his effort wide and Aymen Abdennour hooked a shot past the post following a goalmouth scramble.
Valencia piled on pressure before the break and got their reward when Gomes surged into the area where he was felled by Pepe, with former Madrid man Parejo calmly placing the ball past Keylor Navas.
Madrid began the second half brightly, Marcelo denied with a superb last-ditch tackle from Lucas Orban, in what remained a fast-paced encounter.
As Valencia stayed resolute at the back, Ronaldo saw penalty appeals waved away when he appeared to be felled by Domenech before Kovacic received his marching orders for a lunge on Cancelo.
Madrid threw men forward in search of a winner and looked to have claimed victory when Bale rose to expertly guide in Kroos' cross, only for Alcacer to have the final say.
The Spaniard's eighth league goal of the season earned Neville's men a point to leave Madrid winless in four against Valencia, who could have claimed their coach's first top-flight win when substitute Alvaro Negredo was thwarted by Navas in stoppage time.