News Archive

Match round-up - First Division, Day 22

The bottom two met on Monday evening, Las Palmas keeping alive their hopes of salvation with a 1-0 victory over Málaga. The game appeared to be heading for a goal-less draw until substitute Halilovic fired a shot past Roberto in the last minute, taking the Canary Islanders four points clear of their opponents and level with Deportivo. (05.02.18)

Barcelona were held to a 1-1 draw by Espanyol on Sunday, although they still have a comfortable lead over the rest. Quique’s team had handed their city rivals their only defeat of the season in the cup a few days ago (albeit that they lost in the second leg), and Gerard Moreno headed them in front midway through the second half. Piqué headed the equaliser though from Messi’s free kick with eight minutes to go to keep up that unbeaten record in the league. Atlético Madrid are now nine points behind Barça after they beat third placed Valencia 1-0 in the last match of the evening, Correa getting the only goal on the hour mark to open up a nine point gap over the Ches. They are now in battle for the two remaining Champions League spots with Real Madrid and Villarreal, but below them seven teams are only separated by four points, Girona joining the fray for a place in Europe after they won 2-0 against Athletic Bilbao, and Getafe and Leganés staying in the hunt after they drew 0-0 in Sunday lunchtime’s South Madrid derby. (04.02.18)

Another set-back for Real Madrid on Saturday, a 2-2 draw at Levante leaving them even further adrift of the top three. Sergio Ramos and Isco put them ahead twice, but goals by Boateng and new signing Pazzini gave the Valencia based side a vital point. Madrid hold on to fourth spot though after the two teams below them both lost. Fifth placed Villarreal were beaten 2-1 by Betis, Loren celebrating his promotion from the B team with both goals for the Andalusians, and Bacca getting one back from the penalty spot late on for the visitors, who had Bonera sent off before the break. Sevilla meanwhile were thrashed 5-1 at Eibar in the early kick-off, the result taking the Basque team to within a point of them in the table. Either side of the cup semi-finals, Montella made several changes, including drafting in his three new signings, but the ploy backfired, with Orellana in particular starring for the locals. Celta missed out on a chance to overtake Sevilla when they were beaten 2-1 at Alavés, who themselves are now five points clear of the drop zone after Deportivo lost 5-0 against Real Sociedad on Friday. The result cost the job of caretaker coach Cristóbal, who will be replaced by Seedorf from now on. (03.02.18)