Deportivo slip to 3-0 defeat at Mallorca
Deportivo Coruna missed the opportunity to put pressure on league leaders Real Madrid when they crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Real Mallorca on Sunday.
Deportivo Coruna missed the opportunity to put pressure on league leaders Real Madrid when they crashed to a 3-0 defeat at Real Mallorca on Sunday.
A fine double from Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o and a spectacular swerving volley from young midfielder Albert Riera brought an abrupt end to the Galicians' three-match winning streak.
Depor remain a point behind Real in the standings but can fall further behind if the leaders win their match in Sevilla later on Sunday, while third-placed Real Sociedad can overtake the Galicians if they come away from their game at Barcelona with at least a point.
Earlier, Valencia got their domestic season back on track by finding their scoring touch with a comprehensive 3-0 win over a sorry-looking Alaves.
The result sends the defending champions back into fourth spot, a point ahead of Celta Vigo who drew 0-0 at home to Valladolid.
At the other end of the table, Recreativo Huelva moved out of the relegation zone for the first time this season when they swept to a 5-0 victory over nine-man Villarreal.
Rayo Vallecano remain anchored to the bottom after a 3-0 defeat at home to Espanyol.
Deportivo, who were knocked out of the King's Cup by Mallorca, suffered an early setback against the islanders when Eto'o scored with just four minutes on the clock.
The Cameroon international launched himself between two defenders to meet a fine cross from Alvaro Novo and send a clever angled header winging past keeper Jose Molina and into the far corner.
Mallorca extended their lead 10 minutes later with a brilliantly taken shot from Riera.
The young midfielder controlled with his chest on the right of the area before sending a left-foot volley swerving past Molina and inside the far post.
Deportivo never managed to cope with Mallorca's quick-breaking attacks and Eto'o wrapped up a thoroughly deserved victory when he put the finishing touch to a slick passing move midway through the second half.
A quick exchange of passes between midfielder Ariel Ibagaza and striker Walter Pandiani split open the Depor defence to leave Eto'o with a simple tap-in.