Gareth Bale, centre, celebrates with teammates after Real Madrid's victory over Barcelona. Juan Medina / Reuters
Gareth Bale, centre, celebrates with teammates after Real Madrid's victory over Barcelona. Juan Medina / Reuters
Gareth Bale, centre, celebrates with teammates after Real Madrid's victory over Barcelona. Juan Medina / Reuters
Gareth Bale, centre, celebrates with teammates after Real Madrid's victory over Barcelona. Juan Medina / Reuters

Gareth Bale backs Real Madrid to ‘get right back in’ title race after victory at Barcelona


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Gareth Bale has said Real Madrid still have a chance of catching Primera Liga leaders Barcelona after beating Luis Enrique’s side 2-1 at the Camp Nou on Saturday.

Bale provided the cross for Cristiano Ronaldo’s 85th-minute winner after the Wales winger earlier had a headed goal controversially ruled out for a foul on Jordi Alba.

Gerard Pique gave Barca the lead after 56 minutes but Madrid drew level through Karim Benzema in the 62nd.

Barca’s first defeat in any competition since February 2015 meant their lead over Atletico Madrid was trimmed to six points. Madrid, in third spot, are seven points off the pace with seven matches to play.

More from el clasico:

Andy Mitten at Camp Nou: Cristiano Ronaldo fires late winner as Real Madrid end Barcelona's 39 match unbeaten run

Gallery: Cristiano Ronaldo strikes late to earn Real Madrid thrilling win at Barcelona — in pictures

“If we want to win the league this was a game we had to win,” Bale said. “Football does funny things to teams when you lose and you never know what could happen.

“All they need is a few bad results and we need a few good ones and we’re right back in. Tonight really does put us mentally in a strong position, we can beat anyone on our day.

“Everyone has been saying they’re the best team and we beat them in their own backyard tonight.

“The most important thing today was to get the win and build confidence for the rest of the season. There’s still the Champions League as well,” he added in reference to Wednesday’s quarter-final first leg against Wolfsburg.

Bale was surprised his headed goal in the 80th minute was ruled out by referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez.

“I can’t believe it was disallowed. I made sure I didn’t touch him because I know what the Spanish referees are like,” he said.

“It was a very bad decision in my eyes.”

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Stamp duty timeline

December 2014: Former UK finance minister George Osbourne reforms stamp duty, replacing the slab system with a blended rate scheme, with the top rate increasing to 12 per cent from 10 per cent:
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April 2016: New 3% surcharge applied to any buy-to-let properties or additional homes purchased.

July 2020: Rishi Sunak unveils SDLT holiday, with no tax to pay on the first £500,000, with buyers saving up to £15,000.

March 2021: Mr Sunak decides the fate of SDLT holiday at his March 3 budget, with expectations he will extend the perk unti June.

April 2021: 2% SDLT surcharge added to property transactions made by overseas buyers.