News Archive

Match round-up - First Division, Day 33

Mallorca are back in the top four after a 2-0 victory against Osasuna on Monday night, their fourteenth home win out of sixteen this season. Manzano's side dominated the first half, Ricardo having to save from Mattioni before Rubén headed a Borja Valero corner past the keeper to open the scoring. Half time substitute Jorge Galán fired a shot over the top and Camuñas went close a couple of times for the visitors. But Aduríz rattled the woodwork at the other end, and with the game in injury time Keita ran through to score the second just a couple of minutes after coming on. (19.04.10)

Real Madrid were up to the challenge on Sunday, beating third placed Valencia 2-0 to move to within a point of leaders Barcelona. Pellegrini's side dominated the early minutes, and midway through the first half Guti won the ball in midfield and put Higuaín through for him to beat César. Alexis cleared off the line from Van der Vaart and Higuaín lobbed just over the top as Madrid pushed for a second, but Mata and Silva both hit the woodwork before Cristiano Ronaldo latched on to Marcelo's cross to wrap things up with twelve minutes to go.

It has been a very low scoring weekend though, with no less than four games ending without goals. Athletic Bilbao drop out of the top six this week after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Zaragoza, and any hope Deportivo had of a European spot was further dashed after they could only draw 0-0 at home to Almería. The match between Málaga and Valladolid also ended score-less, leaving Javier Clemente's side further down in the drop zone and their hosts just four points above them.

Tenerife are now only a point below Málaga after they beat Getafe 3-2, thanks largely to a hat-trick from their centre forward Nino. Pedro León gave the visitors the lead early on, but Nino netted twice either side of half time to turn the scoreline around. Casquero headed scores level once again, but a minute later Nino ran through to round Codina and tie up three invaluable points for the Canary Islanders.

Xerez are also doing everything they can for survival, but they fell just short again after a 2-2 draw with Racing Santander. Orellana gave the Andalusians the lead in the sixth minute after good work by Momo, but Tchité equalised on the stroke of half time, and then converted a penalty (his third in four days) to put the Cantabrians in front. Víctor Sánchez made it all square once again with a header from Redondo's cross, but only a couple of great saves by Renan prevented them from defeat. (18.04.10)

The race for the league title is back on again after leaders Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw by city neighbours Espanyol. Pep Guardiola's side were unable to break down a well organized defence, and they had to play the last half an hour with ten men after Dani Alves was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Sevilla are back up to fourth after a 3-0 victory over Sporting Gijón, the Andalusians in charge from early on when Kanouté opened the scoring after Juan Pablo failed to hold on to Dragutinovic's free kick. Luis Fabiano headed a second soon after the restart, and young full back Juan Cala made it three late on with his third goal in as many games.

Later in the evening Villarreal beat Atlético Madrid 2-1 to move above Athletic Bilbao to sixth. Godín started things off following a corner midway through the first half, and Rossi scrambled a second just before the break. Agüero got one back after the restart, but too late to change the result. (17.04.10)