Spanish La Liga Round Twenty
Saturday 24th January 2009
Barcelona stretched their lead at the top to 15 points, with a 4-1 victory over Numancia at Camp Nou. Barca took till the 49th minute to take the lead, as Lionel Messi shot them in front. Samuel Eto’o doubled Barca’s lead after 53 minutes. Jose Barkero scored in the 61st minute to put Numancia back in the game. The hope of getting back into the game lasted until the 71st minute, as Thierry Henry made it three for Barca. Lionel Messi scored his brace in the 76th minute to put the result beyond all doubt. It got even worse for the visitors when Cesar Palacios was sent off in the 81st minute.
Villarreal could only manage a 1-1 draw with Osasuna at El Madrigal. Villarreal are now fifth in the table. Giuseppe Rossi gave the yellow submarine the lead in the 28th minute, after good play from Santi Cazorla. Osasuna substitute Dady managed to snatch an equaliser in the 65th minute. The point moved Osasuna of the bottom of the La Liga table, but they are still deep in relegation trouble.
Sunday 25th January 2009
Valencia suffered a shock defeat, as they went down 3-1 at Real Mallorca. Jose Manuel Jurado opened the scoring after eight minutes. That advantage was doubled in the 41st minute, from a Jose Luis Marti penalty. Jurado scored his brace just a minute later to make it 3-0. Vicente scored a consolation goal for Valencia in the 72nd minute.
Racing Santander scored an impressive 2-0 defeat away at Sevilla. Cesar Navas gave the visitors the lead on 24 minutes. Oscar Serrano was dismissed in the 33rd minute to make it even harder for Racing, but yet they took a two goal lead in the 47th minute through Nikola Zigic. The ten men managed to hang on to a very impressive three points.
Real Madrid stayed second by beating Deportivo 1-0 at the Bernabeu, Raul scoring for Real in the 40th minute. Malaga and Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 at La Rosadela. Antonio Apono gave the home the lead on 22 minutes. Johnny Heitinga equalised for the away side just before half time. Recreativo Huelva beat Real Betis 1-0 at El Nuevo Colombino, the only goal coming in the 72nd minute through Javier Cumanas.
Real Valladolid and struggling Espanyol drew 1-1at the Nuevo Jose Zorilla. Swedish striker Henok Goitom gave Valladolid the lead on 42 minutes. Sanchez rescued a point for the visitors with just eleven minutes remaining. Almeria beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 at the Juegos Mediterraneos. Juanma Ortiz gave the home side the lead in the 26th minute, before Kalu Uche doubled their lead in the 39th minute, Joseba Del Olmo scoring Bilbao’s goal in the 66th minute.
Getafe were the big winners of the weekend hammering Sporting Gijon 5-1 at Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Roberto Soldado opened the scoring for the home side in the 15th minute. That lead was doubled in the 17th minute through an Esteban Granero strike. David Barral looked to have got Sporting a foot hold back into the game on 45 minutes, but Roberto Soldado restored Getafe’s two goal lead in the 57th minute. Ikechukwu Uche further extended that lead in the 71st minute to make it 4-1 Soldado completed his hat-trick in the 73rd minute from the penalty spot, to complete the rout.
Spanish La Liga Round Nineteen
Saturday 17th January 2009
Barcelona beat Deportivo 5-0 at the Camp Nou to record a new half-season record. Barca reached the 50 point mark and look like they are running away with the La Liga crown. Barca took the lead after 21 minutes through Lionel Messi after being set up my Xavi. Henry headed home Barca’s second in the 27th minute from a Dani Alves cross.
Samuel Eto’o made it 3-0 from close range in the 42nd minute. Thierry Henry scored his brace to make it 4-0. The Deportivo keeper Daniel Aranzubia was dismissed for tripping Carlos Puyol, when the Barca keeper was through on goal. Samuel Eto’o dispatched the spot-kick to make it an emphatic 5-0 home victory.
Elsewhere Sevilla defeated Numancia 1-0 at home, to move to third in the La Liga table. The away side put up a stiff fight and proved tricky opposition. Cisma Domingo was dismissed for the away side after 52 minutes but still Sevilla couldn’t find a way through. Sevilla took till the 82nd minute to break through Numancia’s stubborn resistance, Brazilian midfielder Renato breaking the deadlock.
Sunday 18th January 2009-01-17
Real Madrid came back from a goal down to beat bottom club Osasuna 3-1 at the Bernabeu. Jakad Nekounam headed the away side into the lead after 20 minutes. Sergio Ramos equalised for Real just after the break when Roberto Fernandez let the ball bounce past him. Real went into the lead for the first time in the 64th minute, Gonzalo Higuain finishing from a good Arjen Robben cross. Juanfran received his marching orders in the 83rd minute, after receiving a second yellow card for diving. Real secured all three points in stoppage time. Arjen Robben found the net with Fernandez again poor in the Osasuna net.
Villarreal beat Real Mallorca 2-0 at El Madrigal. Joan Capdevilla headed the home side into the lead after 29 minutes. Giuseppe Rossi made it 2-0 in the 34th minute from the penalty spot after Santi Cazorla was fouled by Ivan Ramis. Villarreal now move up to 5th place. Racing Santander recorded a 1-0 away victory at Getafe. Nikola Zigic scoring the only goal in the 24th minute.
Athletic Bilbao defeated Valencia 3-2. David Villa fired the away side into the lead after just 2 minutes. Igor Gabilondo equalised for Bilbao in the 18th minute. Fernando Morientes put the visitors back in front after 30 minutes. Bilbao wouldn’t give in and equalised in the 42nd minute through Javi Martinez. Fernando Llorente snatched all three points for the home side in stoppage time from the penalty spot, with Manuel Fernandes being dismissed.
Almeria held Atletico Madrid 1-1 despite going down to 10 men. Kalu Uche gave the home side the lead after just 6 minutes. Florent Sinama-Pongolle equalised for the boys from Madrid in the 22nd minute. Almeria had Hernan Pellerano dismissed for two bookable offences in the 54th minute. Atletico were also reduced to 10 when Ever Banega was sent off in the last minute.
Malaga hammered Espanyol 4-0. Adrian Lopez gave the home side the lead on 35 minutes. Malaga’s lead was doubled in the 57th minute when Antonio Apono scored from the penalty spot after Mari Lacruz fouled Adrian Lopez. Nabil Baha made it 3-0 with another penalty in the 85th minute. Albert Luque completed the rout with a fourth goal in stoppage time.
Real Valladolid suffered a 3-1 home defeat against Real Betis. Betis took the lead on 16 minutes through Xisco. Valladolid were back on level terms soon after, equalising through Luis Prieto in the 20th minute. Sergio Garcia put Betis in the lead with an excellent strike in the 63rd minute. Garcia doubled his tally in the 90th minute with another superb effort.
Recreativo Huelva collected a vital three points with a 2-0 victory over Sporting Gijon. Recreativo were fortunate with their first goal as Jorge Garcia beat his own goalkeeper. Adrian Colunga scored the second goal in the 54th minute to secure a crucial victory.
Spanish La Liga Round Eighteen
Saturday 10th January 2009
There was excitement at the Mestalla as Valencia drew 3-3 against Villarreal. Ruben Baraja headed the home side into an early lead after just a minute. David Villa doubled that lead after 10 minutes for Los Ches. Fabricio Fuentes got Villarreal back into the game after 45 minutes. Villarreal equalised in the 77th minute through Joseba Llorente, after Valencia had missed numerous chances. Substitute Edu put Valencia back in the lead with a header on 79 minutes. Giuseppe Rossi rescued a point for the away side in the 84th minute from the penalty spot.
Sevilla recorded a good 3-1 away victory at Deportivo. The home side went in front however through a Rodolfo Bodipo strike after 34 minutes. Enzo Maresca was dismissed after 41 minutes. The 10 men equalised however, after 50 minutes through Luis Fabiano. Sevilla then took the lead after 78 minutes with a goal from Brazilian Renato. Diego Capel completed the scoring in the 90th minute.
Sunday 11th January 2009
Barcelona left it late to beat Osasuna, 3-2 away from home. Samuel Eto’o gave Barca the lead on the stroke of half-time. Osasuna came back with two goals in the second half to stun the leaders. Miguel Flano equalised for the basement side with a header in the 63rd minute and Walter Pandiani put them in the lead after 73 minutes. It looked like there could be a shock in store until Xavi fired Barca level on 80 minutes. Lionel Messi once again proved the match winner as he fired home the winner with just five minutes remaining.
Real Madrid went into second place in La Liga, with a convincing 3-0 away defeat of Real Mallorca. Arjen Robben gave Real the lead after just three minutes. Raul doubled their lead in the 17th minute. Defender Sergio Ramos completed the rout with the third goal after 66 minutes for the away side.
Athletic Bilbao scored an impressive 3-2 away victory over Atletico Madrid. Antonio Lopez gave the home side the lead after just 15 minutes. Koikilli equalised for Bilbao on the stroke of half-time. Bilbao raced into a 3-1 lead thanks to two Fernando Llorente strikes in the 50th and 66th minutes. Maniche was dismissed in the 72nd minute to add to Atletico’s woes, they did get a consolation goal in the 90th minute from a Diego Forlan strike.
Almeria threw away a two goal lead at Espanyol to draw 2-2. Almeria took the lead in the fifth minute, through Kalu Uche. Uche doubled his and Almeria’s account on 54 minutes. Substitute Roman Martinez got the home side back into the game after 62 minutes. Nicolas Pareja was on hand in the 90th minute to rescue an all-important point for Espanyol.
Numancia beat Getafe 2-0, as Getafe goalkeeper Robert Abbondanzieri was sent off after just four minutes. Numancia took just five minutes to capitalise from a Jose Barkero penalty. Substitute Carlos Aranda Made the points secure with an 80th minute strike. Racing Santander drew 1-1 with Recreativo Huelva. Jonathan gave the home side the lead after 33 minutes, before Javier Camunas equalised in the 43rd minute to earn Recre a point.
Sporting Gijon defeated Real Valladolid 2-1 at El Molinon. Gonzalez Carmelo gave the home side the lead after 20 minutes. Marcos Rey was dismissed after 32 minutes for two bookable offences. Gijon took advantage of the extra man by doubling their lead through David Barral after 37 minutes. Jose Garcia Calvo scored a Consolation goal for the visitors in the 87th minute.
Malaga beat nine man Real Betis 2-1 in Seville. Antonio Apono gave Malaga the lead after 19 minutes from the penalty spot. Juan Melli was sent off in the 25th minute, but somehow Betis equalised in the 38th minute through Achille Emana. Emana became the second Betis player to be dismissed in the 68th minute. Pereira Eliseu finally scored Malaga’s second in the 90th minute to give the visitors a valuable three points.
Spanish La Liga Round Seventeen
Saturday 3rd January 2009
Barcelona stretched their lead at the top of La Liga as they beat Real Mallorca 3-1 at the Camp Nou. Aritz Aduriz gave the visitors the lead after 15 minutes. Thierry Henry levelled the game on 32 minutes. Andres Iniesta gave Barca the lead in the 76th minute. Josemi was dismissed in the 90th minute and Yaya Toure score just afterwards to finish off Real Mallorca.
Valencia beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 at the Mestalla. Valencia now nine points behind Barcelona, took the lead after 33 minutes through a David Villa penalty, after they had already had two goals disallowed. Valencia’s second goal came from an excellent David Silva strike in the 39th minute. Atletico got a goal back on the stroke of half-time through a Diego Forlan penalty. David Silva killed off any comeback with an excellent long range strike in the 69th minute.
Sunday 4th January 2009
Real Madrid beat Villarreal 1-0 at the Bernabeu and went into third place in the La Liga table. The goal came from a superb Arjen Robben strike in the 32nd minute. Real are still 12 points behind Barcelona. Osasuna stole a draw at Sevilla 1-1. Jesus Navas gave the home side the lead after 50 minutes. Walter Pandiani rescued a point in the final minute for the struggling visitors.
Recreativo Huelva claimed three valuable home points, as they beat Numancia 3-1. Jose Javier Barkero missed a penalty for Numancia, before Javi Fuego put Huelva into the lead after 18 minutes. It got even worse for Numancia as Javier Camunas added a second in the 46st minute and Aitor made it three after 61 minutes. Gorka Brit then missed Numancia’s second penalty, before scoring a consolation goal in the 90th minute.
Athletic Bilbao drew at home with Espanyol 1-1. Moises Hurtado gave the visitors the lead after 37 minutes. Andoni Iraola saved the point for Bilbao with an 81st minute strike. Malaga gained a crucial three points with a 1-0 victory at home to Sporting Gijon. The goal came from Manuel Lolo after 34 minutes. Racing Santander beat Real Valladolid 1-0 away from home. Nicola Zigic scored the winner in the 64th minute. Almeria also collected three points at home to Real Betis with a 1-0 victory. Manuel Corona scored the only goal of the game in the 35th minute.
Spanish La Liga Round Sixteen
Saturday 20th December 2008
Juande Ramos recorded his first victory as Real Madrid manager as his side beat rivals Valencia 1-0 at the Bernabeu. The winner came early on from Gonzalo Higuain after just three minutes. The Argentine finishing after Arjen Robben had went on a mazy run. It looked as though there would be more goals but none of the chances materialised, as Real moved within a point of Valencia.
The late kick brought more drama and goals. Atletico Madrid claimed a vital 3-2 away victory at Espanyol. Maxi Rodriguez opened the scoring against his old club after just seven minutes. Sergio Sanchez hit back for Espanyol in the 58th minute. Sergio ‘Kun’ Aguero fired Atletico back into the lead with nine minutes remaining. Maxi Rodriguez scored his second and Atleticos third in injury time to secure all three points. There was still time for Valmiro Valdo to score a consolation goal for Espanyol.
Sunday 21st December 2008
Barcelona went ten points clear at the top of La Liga, by beating Villarreal 2-1 at El Madrigal. Cani chipped the home side into the lead on 48 minutes. Seydou Keita scrambled home the equaliser in the 52nd minute for Barca. Thierry Henry volleyed home the winner in the 67th minute. Barca had Gerard Pique dismissed for two bookable offences with fifteen minutes remaining. Villarreal put Barca under heavy pressure but couldn’t find an equaliser.
Sevilla could only manage a 0-0 draw at Real Mallorca. The point was enough to take them into second place. Deportivo beat Recreativo Huelva 4-1 at La Riazor. Alberto Lopo gave Depor the lead after 10 minutes. Sergio Gonzales doubled Depor’s lead from the penalty spot after 20 minutes. Adrian Colunga scored from the spot for Recre after 24 minutes. Depor regained their two goal advantage after 44 minutes through a Rodolfo Bodipo header. Luis Felipe rounded off the scoring in the last minute to make it a comfortable victory for the home side.
Numancia came back from two goals down to beat Valladolid 4-3. Jose Barkero put the home side ahead in the 12th minute. Valladolid then took complete control with goals from Henok Goitom in the 34th minute, then a Rubio Alvaro goal in the 53rd minute. Goitom doubled his tally on 76 minutes. Numancia scored in the 85th minute through Javier Del Pino and Carlos Aranda scored an unlikely equaliser in the 88th minute. Gorka Brit scored a vital injury time winner.
Struggling Osasuna recorded a 5-2 home victory over Getafe. Jaroslav Plasil gave Osasuna the lead after 7 minutes. Juanfran doubled Osasunas lead after 30 minutes. Walter Pandiani made it 3-0 after 43 minutes. Javad Nekounam made it 4-0 on the stroke of halt-time. Roberto Soldado gave Getafe a consolation on 65 minutes. Hector Font made it 5-1 to Osasuna in the 81st minute. Soldado scored his second in the 90th minute to make it 5-2.
Racing Santander drew 1-1 with Malaga. Nabil Baha gave Malaga the lead just before half-time. Juan Valera equalised for Racing after 68 minutes. Sporting Gijon beat Almeria 1-0. Francisco Maldonado scored the only goal in the 27th minute. Athletic claimed a 1-0 win against Real Betis in Seville. Javi Martinez scored the only goal after 43 minutes.
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