Barcelona were involved in one of four goalless draws this weekend in the Catalan derby, allowing Real Madrid to move within a point of the summit.
Those who conceded the title as good as over after Barcelona defeated title-rivals Real Madrid, are now looking foolish as the Champions elect failed to overcome their local rivals at Estadi Cornella El-Prat.
The game ended in stalemate as neither team could find the breakthrough and it was Espanyol that came closest, with Victor Valdes denying Osvaldo. Barca also saw Daniel Alves dismissed 27 minutes from time for a second bookable offence.
Real Madrid are doing all they can to make it an interesting end to the season as they closed the gap at the top to a point, having overcome Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu.
They saw Juan Mata hit the post and an inspired display from former Spurs ‘keeper Cesar Sanchez, but eventually triumphed 2-0. The scorers can probably be guessed as once again Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo netted for Los Blancos to record their 25th and 20th goals respectively of the Primera campaign.
MALLORCA, SEVILLA & VILLARREAL ALL WIN
Mallorca and Sevilla continued what now seems to be a two-team slog for fourth place as they both recorded comfortable victories.
Mallorca remain one point ahead of the Andalusian outfit thanks to a 2-0 win over Osasuna. It is their home form that has got them so far this season, with 13 out of 15 ending in victory and the 13th came courtesy of goals from Ruben Gonzalez and Alhassane Keita’s last minute strike.
Sevilla had temporarily overtaken them in fourth after they secured a convincing 3-0 win over nine-man Sporting Gijon.
Misfiring strikers, Fredi Kanoute and Luis Fabiano both got themselves on the scoresheet via headers, either side of Mate Bilic’s dismissal for two first-half bookings. Jose Angel followed him down the tunnel for his second bookable offence 11 minutes from time, before Cala netted his third goal in as many games to complete the scoring.
Villarreal kept pace, but with six points now separating them and Mallorca with five games remaining, the Champions League may be just out of reach. However, they remain good bets to qualify for the Europa League after a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid.
Diego Godin’s clever back-heel got things going for Los Submarinos Amarillos in the 21st minute and Giuseppe Rossi doubled the advantage from close range just before half-time.
Sergio Aguero pulled one back for the Rojiblancos in the second half, but it wasn’t enough for Atletico, who must shelve all hopes of European qualification via the league and concentrate on the two cups they remain in contention for.
TENERIFE CONTINUE THEIR SURGE FOR SURVIVAL
Tenerife gave themselves every hope of surviving the drop as they beat Getafe 3-2 to move within a point of 17th placed Malaga.
The two sides exchanged the lead throughout the match as Pedro Leon saw his strike cancelled out by Francisco Nino, before Nino himself saw his second of the game snuffed out by Francisco Casquero.
However, it was Tenerife, and in particular Nino, who would have the last laugh, with the striker completing his hat-trick to give Los Chicharreros the points.
RACING & XEREZ SHARE POINTS
Racing Santander and Xerez shared the points in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Estadio Municipal de Chapin.
Mohammed Tchite scored his third and fourth goals of the week (with three now coming from the penalty spot) to give Racing what could prove a valuable point at the end of the season, scoring in between strikes from Fabian Orellana and Victor Sanchez.
The point does little to boost Xerez’ faint survival hopes as they still sit six points adrift of safety.
THREE GAMES END GOALLESS
After those two goal-fests, we reach three games which recorded no score and no incident of which to really elaborate on.
Athletic Bilbao and Zaragoza drew a blank at San Mames which should put an end to Athletic’s Champions League hopes and frankly does little to ease Zaragoza’s relegation fears after Tenerife’s result.
Malaga and Valladolid was also scoreless which again does little to aid either side in their bids to beat the drop, with Valladolid four points adrift and Malaga now feeling the hot breath of Tenerife on the back of their necks.
Deportivo and Almeria also went without a goal, with the result only meaning that neither team have anything left to play for this season, and are merely winding it down.