Barca back on top as Bale sees red – La Liga Round-up Week 25

Messi and Co. back on top in Spain

Where to start? Another action-packed round of fixtures in midweek with Barcelona knocking Real Madrid off the top but Luis Enrique stole all their headlines by announcing he will step down in the summer…

Barca smash Sporting for six

So Barcelona are the new leaders after grabbing six goals against Sporting. In truth it was a stroll with MSN all on target and Lionel Messi even allowed to put his feet up after just over an hour on his 500th start for the club. In fact after such an emphatic win all seemed well with the Catalans again, well until Enrique dropped his bombshell after the match. Barcelona are now 11/10 to win the title and while Lucho’s departure is not exactly a surprise, the timing is, Barca face Celta at the weekend before hosting PSG in the Champions League.

Madrid rescue point as Bale sees red

Still anything Barcelona can do, Real Madrid can do better, or at least try to, and a six-goal thriller that featured a red card, three disallowed goals and a fine comeback might just do the trick. Las Palmas had never ever won at the Bernabeu but after conceding early on to Isco, hit back with goals from Tana, Jonathan Viera and Kevin-Prince Boateng to move 3-1 up. The hosts had already lost Gareth Bale by this point, sent off after uncharacteristically losing his cool with a hack at Viera which earned him a booking, followed by another for a little pushing session that followed it. However, this Madrid team does not know when it is beaten at present and Cristiano Ronaldo got them back in it from the penalty spot on 86 minutes before heading home the equaliser three minutes later to claim what could turn out to be a precious point.

Torres injury overshadows Atletico draw

An awful head injury to Fernando Torres overshadowed the 1-1 draw between Deportivo and Atletico Madrid. The visitors went behind after Florin Andone scored but equalised with a superb long-range strike from Antoine Griezmann. Raul Garcia hit the post for Atleti in a result that leaves them just a point ahead of Sociedad in fourth. However, all thoughts were with Torres who was knocked out cold before smashing into the turf and was rushed straight to hospital. They were worrying scenes indeed but the striker has since taken to social media to reassure fans he hopes to return soon and it was “just a scare”.

Sevilla still in the title hunt

The battle between two men tipped to replace Luis Enrique at Barcelona ended with Jorge Sampaoli the winner after a narrow 1-0 win. Make no mistake, Sevilla were far from their best but they managed to grab all three points that keeps them in contention at the top of the table. Stevan Jovetic looked set to open the scoring from the penalty spot but his casual kick was saved. However, Vicente Iborra was quick to react, latching onto the loose ball for the only goal of the game.

Sociedad slip up against Eibar

Real Sociedad missed the chance to move fourth after being denied victory by an injury time equaliser. Juanmi headed the hosts in front and was promptly booked after displaying a t-shirt in tribute to Pablo Raez who died of leukemia recently. Gonzalo Escalante equalised before both sides were reduced to 10, with Juanmi given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow. Carlos Vela then put Sociedad ahead from the penalty spot but Eibar grabbed a deserved point in the 93rd minute when Pedro Leon fired home and the ball squirmed through Gero Rulli’s hands and into the back of the net.

Betis finally win away from home

It’s taken months but Real Betis have finally picked up their first three points away from home under Victor. Goals from Jonas Martin and Antonio Sanabria did the damage as Betis bounced back from derby defeat in style and ended a six-game winless streak.

Mangala wins it for Valencia

Eliaquim Mangala was the unlikely hero for Valencia in a 1-0 win over Leganes at Mestalla. The defender’s goal ensured a third home win in a row for the first time in well over a year. The hosts have now won three of their last four to ease their relegation fears while Leganes have lost five of their last six and are looking nervously over their shoulders.

Four for Villarreal at Osasauna

Villarreal are still in with a shout of Champions League football after cruising past bottom side Osasuana 4-1. Roberto Soriano bagged the opener, a Roberto Soldado penalty made it 2-0 before two late goals from Rafael Santos Borre completed the win.

Aspas on target as Celta held

Celta Vigo had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Espanyol in an action-packed first half that saw four goals. Iago Aspas was again on target for the hosts, opening the scoring before Gerard Moreno levelled. Daniel Wass then restored Celta’s lead before Pablo Piatti grabbed the fourth and final goal of the game after just 31 minutes.

Granada grab vital win

Granada are creeping closer to safety after making it three wins from their last five games with a 2-1 victory over Alaves. Goals from Mubarak Wakaso and Isaac Cuenca did the damage although there was controversy at the end when the visitors thought they’d equalised only to see the referee rule the attempt out. Protests were long and loud, indeed Aleksandar Katai and Alexis were both sent off, but the decision stood and Granada have put safety within sight.

Week 25 All Results

Real Sociedad 2-2 Eibar
Malaga 1-2 Betis
Valencia 1-0 Leganes
Barcelona 6-1 Sporting Gijon
Osasuna 1-4 Villarreal
Celta Viga 2-2 Espanyol
Granada 2-1 Alaves
Real Madrid 3-3 Las Palmas
Deportivo 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Sevilla 1-0 Athletic Bilbao