Sam Parker rounds up the latest La Liga action, as Barcelona took on Real Madrid in the most anticipated clash of the titans this millennium.
Barcelona put themselves back into pole position in the table, humbling their fierce rivals and ending Real Madrid’s 100% home record with a 2-0 victory. The game was never going to live up to pre-match expectations; This this match was always going to be more of a battle than a football fest, as so much depended on it and the result was always going to be more important than the performance, no matter what principles Pep Guardiola holds.
Play wasn’t so fluent, with fouls regularly breaking up play and eight bookings handed out overall. Both teams had slim penalty claims as well, before Lionel Messi claimed his 40th goal of the season in all competitions, after exchanging passes with the excellent Xavi. The Spanish playmaker was involved in the second goal as well, as his through-ball found Pedrito, who in turn slotted past Casillas.
Real thought they had a goal back late on, but Raul’s strike was chalked off for a handball against fellow substitute, Karim Benzema. The result means Barcelona are points clear at the top and have the advantage should the teams tie on points, with Spain’s leagues being determined by a head-to-head record, rather than goal difference.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CONTENDERS ALL WIN
Sevilla retained their grip on fourth spot, after they beat Malaga 2-1. Their recent poor form seems to have been reversed since Antonio Alvarez took charge, although they did things the hard way. Their hosts took the lead after 17 minutes, with Felipe Caceido opening the scoring for Malaga. However, Sevilla turned things around in the second half, with Cala and Lolo giving Sevilla a vital victory.
Mallorca remain level on points with Sevilla, after they continued their impressive home record against Valencia. Valencia had looked to be clear of the chasing pack, but will be a little nervy after Manuel Fernandes had a game to forget for Los Ches.
Gonzalo Castro got things rolling for the Islanders in the seventh minute, before Pierre Webo doubled the lead after 22. Jordi Alba pulled a goal back for Valencia, before Manuel Fernandes intervened to score an own-goal and restore the two-goal cushion. Pablo reduced the arrears to 3-2 with five minutes remaining, but couldn’t find an equaliser, especially once Fernandes saw red for a lunging tackle.
Athletic Bilbao kept pace with both sides, as they hammered Almeria 4-1 at San Mames. Javi Martinez helped himself to a brace, either side of Igor Gabilondo’s strike, whilst Fernando Llorente also added his 13th of the season. Pablo Piatti pulled one back for Almeria, but the damage was done and Athletic remain three points from fourth.
Villarreal also continued their late push to become the fourth side in this battle, just five points off Sevilla after they overcame a resilient Sporting Gijon side 1-0. Diego Godin got the only goal of the game after 16 minutes to lift Los Submarinos Amarillos to seventh place.
RELEGATION PLACES LOOK SET
The battle for relegation looks all but over, after Tenerife and Valladolid played out a bore draw that helps neither side in their hopes for survival. Neither side could break the deadlock, meaning they sit five and six points respectively from safety.
Xerez recent fine form game to an end as they suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Getafe. Lopez Rafa netted the only goal of the game on the hour mark, though their position was put into question after Pedro Leon was dismissed late on for a professional foul. However, Getafe held on for the win, which lifts them to eighth in the table and an outside shot at European football next season.
DEPOR & ATLETICO’S EUROPEAN DEAMS LOOK DEAD
Deportivo’s alarming slump continued as they could only draw at home to Racing Santander. Riki had given them hope of turning things around in the first minute, but Toni Moral equalised for Racing six minutes from time, to give them a much needed point towards the bottom of the table.
Atletico meanwhile were thumped 3-0 by usually goal-shy Espanyol. This was only the second time this season that Espanyol had scored three, since their 3-2 triumph over Deportivo in September. Victor Ruiz and Pablo Osvaldo got things going in the second half, before their task was made easier by the dismissal of Tomas Ujfalusi for serious foul play. Ivan Alonso made the victory a comprehensive one in stoppage time to give Espanyol their biggest win of the season, and virtually ensure that Atletico will require Copa Del Rey success to play Europa League football next season.
OSASUNA BEAT ZARAGOZA
In the round’s other game Osasuna made their status secure with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Zaragoza. Carlos Aranda opened things up early on and Krizstian Vadocz wrapped things up late on for the Pamplona-based outfit, who also saw Ruper sent off in between.