Liga Weekend Wrap: Sociedad Go Down To First Defeat
Real Sociedad's unbeaten record was undone by Joseba Etxeberria as he inspired Athletic Bilbao to a 3-0 win in the Basque Country derby. The Spain international scored the opening two goals and set up Santi Ezquerro's third to bring La Real's first defeat of the season. Nihat was sent off near the end after a very late challenge as the visitors' tension finally boiled over.
Real Sociedad's unbeaten record was undone by Joseba Etxeberria as he inspired Athletic Bilbao to a 3-0 win in the Basque Country derby. The Spain international scored the opening two goals and set up Santi Ezquerro's third to bring La Real's first defeat of the season. Nihat was sent off near the end after a very late challenge as the visitors' tension finally boiled over.
Real Madrid had to come from behind to earn a draw at the ever-improving Espanyol. Roger gave the home side the lead in Montjuic and then saw a fierce shot saved by the keeper only for Raul Tamudo to tuck home the rebound. But Madrid's comeback was completed with two glorious goals as Roberto Carlos hammered the ball past Toni Jimenez from 20 yards before Luis Figo curled in a free kick from even further out to pull El Real back to 2-2.
Valencia moved to within a point of Vicente Del Bosque's side as they recorded their second 1-0 victory at the Mestalla in successive weeks, this time against Mallorca. Mista's second half goal was enough to give the home side victory in a game they dominated.
Diego Tristan and Roy Makaay both scored for Deportivo as the Galicians beat Real Betis 2-0 in the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera. The striking duo both scored with their heads in the second half and moved Depor into the Champions League places at the expense of their Andalucian hosts.
Sevilla recorded a tremendous 1-0 victory at Celta Vigo and moved back into mid-table as they regained their dreams of qualifying for Europe next season. Francisco Casquero netted the all-important goal 16 minutes from time and made Celta's hopes of a top-four finish a difficult one to realise.
Barcelona's season of woe continued as they were hammered 3-0 by Atletico Madrid in El Calderon. Fernando Torres opened the scoring five minutes before the break as he sped past Frank De Boer before slotting the ball inside Roberto Bonano's near post. Fabio Rochemback and Jose Mari were then sent off a tustle following a foul on Barca's Thiago Motta. Luis Aragones' quickly adapted to having ten men and Emerson doubled their lead as he headed home Cosmin Contra's cross after 70 minutes. The scoring was completed when Luis Garcia broke free down the right before steering the ball into the roof of the net in injury time.
Malaga moved to within three points of a Uefa Cup place as they hammered bottom-of-the-table Recreativo 4-0 in La Rosaleda. Dely Valdes scored the first and last of the home side's goals, while Romero headed in the second before Gerardo scored the goal of the day in the Spanish league as he volleyed home from outside the area.
Rayo Vallecano stayed in touch with the safety zone thanks to a 1-1 draw at Alaves. The Madrilenian outfit are still in the relegation mire, but the improved performance will have given them renewed hope of staying up. Roberto Peragon gave the visitors the lead after 20 minutes before Antonio Karmona's brave header drew Alaves level with 19 minutes remaining.
Racing's dismal run continued in-front of their new president and would-be coach Dimitri Piterman as they went down 2-1 to Valladolid. Pedro Munitis headed the visitors into a 13th-minute lead, but goals from Chema and Fernando Sales gave the home side victory.
Osasuna failed to capitalise on their midweek Copa Del Rey success as they went down to a single goal against Villarreal in El Sadar. Josico netted the winner after 76 minutes.