Neymar on target as Barca keep pace with Madrid at the top
La Liga made a welcome return after the international break with wins for Real Madrid and Barcelona as the title race hots up ahead of a potentially crucial week. There’s a full round of fixtures in midweek with Sevilla’s trip to Barca the highlight, while on Saturday Real Madrid take on Atletico at the Bernabeu. Stay tuned.
Reyes to the rescue
La Liga returned with a bang on Friday night with Jose Antonio Reyes firing Espanyol to victory in stunning style. The host actually went behind after Ruben Castro bagged his 10th Liga goal of the season from the penalty spot, however, Espanyol looked to have grabbed a point with an 87th minute equaliser. It then got even better for the hosts as Reyes snatched the win, smashing the ball into the top corner in the 90th minute with a strike fit to win any match.
Neymar hits 100 as Barca cruise
Neymar can do no wrong at the moment and he hit his 100th Barcelona goal in a 4-1 win at struggling Granada. There was no Lionel Messi or Gerard Pique for Barca but Luis Suarez sent the visitors on their way with the opener right on half-time, dinking the ball over Guillermo Ochoa on the half-volley after a brilliant pass by Jordi Alba. Boga briefly upset Luis Enrique’s side with an equaliser just after the break but normal service was quickly resumed when Paco Alcacer scored his third goal in his last four competitive games. A disastrous couple of minutes then followed for Granada who saw Uche Henry pick up two yellow cards before Matthieu Saunier put into his own net to make it 3-1. Neymar, fresh from helping Brazil become the first team to qualify for World Cup 2018, then added a fourth with a tap-in at the far post.
Madrid stay top with easy win
Madrid remain top two points clear with a game in hand, and still 4/11 favourites to be crowned champions, after a 3-0 win over Alaves. However, it was far from vintage stuff from Madrid and Alaves will be frustrated by their wastefulness. Karim Benzema swept home the first but Alaves should have levelled with Deyverson and Edgar guilty of missing glorious chances. Madrid then made the game safe late on with Isco firing home before Nacho’s header three minutes later added some undeserved gloss to the scoreline.
Struggling Sevilla drop out of top three
After thrilling La Liga for so long, Sevilla’s slump continues with Jorge Sampaoli’s side now winless in their last four – their worst winless run under the Argentine. They were widely tipped to get back to winning ways against struggling Sporting but despite managing 17 efforts on goal could not find a way through. Goalkeeper Ivan Cuella played a blinder but Sevilla’s finishing was far too often wayward and, incredibly, there were boos at the final whistle. Sevilla are now behind Atletico Madrid on goal difference – having seen a nine-point lead over Simeone’s men disappear in the space of just four games.
Depleted Atletico into third
Diego Simeone’s side were missing seven players due to injury but still had enough to beat Malaga 2-0 and move into third place. Fernando Torres proved key for Atleti with a hand in both goals, Koke grabbing the opener on 26 minutes before Filipe Luis wrapped up the points for the club’s fourth Liga win in a row.
Alves the penalty star for Valencia
Valencia’s 3-0 win over Depor means Voro has now claimed eight wins since taking over, that’s more than the club’s last three bosses (Gary Neville, Paco Ayestarán & Cesare Prandelli) managed combined. He wasn’t the only one having a great day though, goalkeeper Diego Alves enhanced his reputation as a spot kick specialist by denying from Fayçal Fajr. He has now saved a, scarcely believable, 24 of the 50 penalties he has faced in his career in Spain. That save gave Valencia the platform to go on and win the game thanks to goals from Ezequiel Garay, a Raúl Albentosa own goal and a strike from Joao Cancelo.
Another centurion Aduritz hits 100
Neymar was not the only centurion this weekend as Aritz Aduriz grabbed his 100th goal for Athletic in a 2-1 win over bottom side Osasauna. The 36-year-old took just 12 minutes to open the scoring before Inaki Williams doubled their lead. A late strike from Sergio Leon had the visitors sweating but they saw the game out. Osasuna still with one win all season which came all the way back in October.
Sociedad struggle again
Real Sociedad’s top four hopes look over after yet another poor result at home to Leganes. The hosts have now failed to win their last four home league games and it could have been worse after Alexander Szymanowski lobbed the visitors in front. Juanmi smashed home the equaliser but that was as good as it got for Sociedad who now face a tricky trip to Atletico in midweek.
Eibar make history at Villarreal
Eibar saw off Villarreal in a five-goal thriller, scoring three away goals in the second half for the first time in their Liga history. Roberto Soriano put Villarreal ahead but a controversial Pedro Leon penalty levelled it for Eibar. Goals from Kike and Takashi Inui then won it despite Soriano grabbing his second late on as Villarreal’s European hopes took a huge blow.
Rossi hits first La Liga hat-trick
Celta and Las Palmas played out the final game of the weekend on Monday night with Guiseppe Rossi hitting his first ever La Liga hat-trick in a 3-1 win for the hosts. The former Manchester United man gave a reminder of talents by banging in all three of Celta’s goals as Eduardo Berizzo’s men moved up to 10th in the table.
La Liga Results Week 29
Espanyol 2-1 Real Betis
Villarreal 2-3 Eibar
Osasuna 1-2 Athletic
Real Sociedad 1-1 Leganes
Malaga 0-2 Atletico
Sevilla 0-0 Sporting Gijon
Real Madrid 3-0 Alaves
Valencia 3-0 Deportivo La Coruna
Granada 1-4 Barcelona
Celta 3-1 Las Palmas
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