Sam Parker rounds up the latest La Liga action, as both Barca and Real Madrid record 4-1 victories to keep the title race going.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick of the highest quality to send Real on their way to a convincing away win against Mallorca.
The Islanders have a fantastic record in front of their own fans and looked like they might pose a threat to Real’s title hopes when they took the lead through Aritz Aduriz. However, the match then turned into the Ronaldo show, as he latched onto two Sergio Ramos passes to reverse the scoreline in Madrid’s favour, before scoring a wonderful solo goal to make it three.
Real weren’t done there either as Gonzalo Higuain, not to be outdone, scored a magical chip to complete the scoring.
Real needed that result, after Barcelona had beaten a stubborn Tenerife side by the same scoreline at the Nou Camp.
Lionel Messi had given Barca the lead with his 30th of the season, but a spanner was thrown in the works when Roman Martinez latched onto Carlos Puyol’s error to snatch a shock equaliser.
They held on until the hour mark, when Bojan put them back in the lead. Pedro added a third against his hometown club, before Messi got another, scoring as only Messi does, with perfect control and a deft flick over the onrushing ‘keeper.
SEVILLA CLAIM FOURTH, VILLARREAL SLIP UP
With Mallorca slipping up, fourth place was up for grabs and Sevilla duly obliged by thumping Racing Santander by five goals to one.
Alvaro Negredo got things going after only two minutes, before Fredi Kanoute made it two from the spot. A quick double salvo at the start of the second half saw Jesus Navas and Diego Capel make it four.
Mohammed Tchite pulled one back for Racing, but any lingering hope of a miraculous recovery were ended when Nasief Morris was given his marching orders. Negredo doubled his personal tally to make it five a minute from the end.
Villarreal’s hopes of claiming fourth for themselves were virtually ended as they slipped to a 4-2 defeat at Almeria.
Albert Crusat gave the home side the lead, before Villarreal witnessed the 16th minute dismissal of Mateo Mussachio for a professional foul. Kalu Uche and Modeste M’Bami looked to be making it an embarrassing defeat by making it three at half-time, but Los Submarinos Amarillos threatened a second half comeback through goals from Ivan Marcano and Ariel Ibagaza.
Almeria were given further hope when the teams were levelled after Jose Chico was sent off, but a late goal from Pablo Piatti settled the match in favour of Almeria.
ATHLETIC & GETAFE FALTER IN EUROPA HOPE
Athletic were held by Malaga in a result that did little to aid either team’s ambitions.
Athletic slipped further away from the Europa league spots, despite taking an early lead through Toquero Pinedo. However, their recent patchy form continued to haunt them, as Duda brought the relegation candidates level again to claim a 1-1 draw.
Getafe were also held to a 1-1 home draw by Sporting Gijon. Miguel De Las Cuevas gave the visitors a surprise lead, but Roberto Soldado, back after a lengthy injury, equalised to give Getafe a share of the spoils and his 13th of the season.
ZARAGOZA VIRTUALLY SAFE, WHILST VALLADOLID & XEREZ LOSE
Zaragoza have all but secured their safety after beating Espanyol 1-0 at La Romareda.
The in-form Adrian Colunga made his mark once again by converting from the penalty spot, for which Nicolas Pareja was dismissed for conceding.
Xerez looked practically doomed after falling to a 3-1 defeat at Valencia.
Having held on for far longer than anybody imagined, the dream looks over, although hope had been given when Armenteros gave them a shock lead at the Mestalla.
Juan Mata levelled with a fine free-kick on the stroke of half-time and then doubled his personal tally just before the hour mark. Ten minutes later David Silva completed the scoring with his eighth of the season, with enough time for Juan Redondo to earn a second booking and Xerez 13th dismissal of the campaign.
Valladolid’s chances of survival aren’t quite as desperate, but a 3-1 defeat at Atletico Madrid won’t have done much to help them.
Juanito, Jurado and Diego Forlan all netted for the Rojiblancos with Jonathan Sesma’s effort proving scant consolation.
OSASUNA BEAT DEPORTIVO
In a game of no real consequence, Osasuna made sure Depor’s dismal run of form continued with a 3-1 win at Estadio Reyno de Navarra.
Depor’s Riki had levelled Javier Camunas early effort, but his it was in vain, as further first-half efforts from Walter Pandiani and Juanfran meant Osasuna took all the points.