Celta 5 - Oviedo 3

Celta: Dutruel; Velasco, Cáceres, Sergio, Djorovic; Makelele, Giovanella; Karpin, Mostovoi, Revivo; Turdó. 4-2-3-1.
Oviedo: Esteban; Bango, Onopko, Danjou; Amieva, Paulo Bento, Fabio Pinto, Rabarivony; Pompei; Losada, Dely Valdés. 3-4-1-2.

An eight goal thriller took place in Balaidos, with Celta finally ending their run of six games without a win with a 5-3 victory over Oviedo. Celta fans had been convinced by mystics during the week that their problems were due to an evil eye put on them by some wrong doer, and they were urged to bring garlic to the ground to counter the spell. Those that were able to weather the smell emanating around the ground were treated to a spectacular match, with six goals in the first 38 minutes and two more in the second half as Celta recovered their shooting boots. Their manager Víctor Fernández, who is currently looking for a new striker, decided to leave his attack unchanged with Turdó up front, bringing in Djorovic for the hospitalised Juanfran (who broke his skull in a clash of heads midweek but is now out of danger) and replacing Celades with Giovanella. With Boris not fully recovered, Luis Aragonés decided to leave veteran utility player Bango in defence in place of Keita, and changed Eskurza and Iván Iglesias for Amieva and Fabio Pinto. Bango was unable to stop Turdó getting through (sorry, but reminds me of my first potty training), and the much criticised Argentinian striker put last week's misses behind him with a well earned hat-trick in the first 46 minutes of the game. His first came in the opening minute, (with keeper Esteban probably still reeling from the garlic), Mostovoi's cross from the right was half hit by Karpin and Turdó was there to finish offf. Mostovoi himself got the second after good work by Giovanella and Karpin, and Turdó was given the third on a plate after Makele had won the ball in midfield and put him through. The game should have been all over, but bad goalkeeping by Dutruel, (who is now considering staying next season if Celta can match Barcelona's offer), let Oviedo back in the game, with first Dely Valdés taking advantage of his slip and then a header from Bango a minute later from a corner reducing their lead to just one goal. Not to worry however, as Revivo opened up the lead again a couple of minutes later from a counter attack. Just after the restart it was 5-2, with Turdó completing his hat-trick from Mostovoi's centre. Fernández considered the game won and replaced Turdó with Gustavo López, but back came Oviedo, with Dely Valdés scoring his team's third in the 66th minute. On came McCarthy for Revivo just in case, but by now the garlic charm was working and most players were feeling quite sick. Celta move back up the table to fourth, and they may decide in the end that they don't need to spend big money on that striker. In any case, we shall know within 24 hours, when the transfer deadline is reached. Aragonés has to go back to the drawing board, with Oviedo having gone almost a year without an away win dropping back to next to last. With no money to spend on signings, they are likely to have a lean second half to the season. At least they could have a whip round to buy garlic?

Rayo Vallecano 1 - Atlético de Madrid 1

Rayo: Keller; Clotet, Cota, Hernández, Alcázar; Llorens, Helder, Michel I, Ferrón; Cembranos; Bolo. 4-4-1-1.
Atlético: Molina; Gaspar, Gamarra, Ayala, Capdevila; Aguilera, Bejbl, Hugo Leal, Solari; Kiko, Hasselbaink. 4-4-2.

With what appeared to be a reversal of roles, (Rayo in the UEFA spot and Atlético near the bottom), the other Madrid derby ended up all square in Vallecas. Both clubs tried to forget about the off pitch goings on during the week and play football, and the result was a hard fought but reasonably entertaining match, with Rayo maintaining the form that has kept them in the top half of the table, and Atlético improving considerably over their early season performances. Hernández was back at the heart of the Rayo defence in place of Amaya, and Michel I came in for the suspended Pablo Sanz. Ayala returned to the Atlético defence alongside fellow countryman Gamarra in place of Santi, who was also suspended. Kiko played up front for the second time alongside Hasselbaink, and the Spanish international striker is clearly improving with every match he plays after his long injury. His was the pass in the 27th minute which set up Aguilera, playing in a midfield role this season, to score the first goal past Keller. Their lead only lasted four minutes however, as referee Losantos Omar awarded a rigorous penalty against Gamarra for hand ball which appeared accidental to most observers. Llorente blasted his spot kick past Molina in off the crossbar, and unveiled a t-shirt dedicating his goal to Valencia midfielder Albelda, who broke his leg in a tackle with the Rayo player a month ago. A nice touch. Both teams had chances, but with Hasselbaink proving for once he is human, the score remained unaltered during the second half, leaving Rayo still in fifth place and Atlético rising, temporarily at least (the match was played on Saturday) to twelfth. Rayo president Teresa Rivero was unhappy about Rayo's season ticket holders, who, facing a 'club day' where they have to pay 1,500 Pesetas to enter the ground (normal practice in Spain a couple of times a season) decided to stay at home in the warmth and watch the game on the telly. At least she can be happy that FIFA have now suspended their ban on transfers, and they have been able to buy and sell players this week. For their part, the ex directors of Atlético (including Jesus Gil and his son Miguel Angel) were in court protesting their innocence. Gil, a clever manipulator of people, has been doing his utmost to convince fans that the wrongdoers are actually the courts (most people have had some unhappy dealings with the Spanish judicial system in their lifetimes) and that his family and cronies are just a bunch of loveable rogues. Meanwhile, local papers published supposed off-shore salaries of players during the week which they claim could land half the squad in jail. Watch this space.