News Archive

Match round-up - First Division, Day 21

Celta have been gradually returning to form in recent weeks, and they are now seventh after a 3-2 win over Betis in the Monday night game. Iago Aspas gave them an early lead, and Maxi Gómez made it two before Sergio León got one back. Aspas scored again though, and an injury time penalty by Guardado came too late to save the result. The result takes them to within two points of sixth spot, leading a tight group of seven sides (including Betis) fighting for that seventh place which, depending on who wins the cup, could give the incumbent a place in the Europa League next season. (29.01.18)

Barcelona maintained their eleven point lead at the top of the table, although they left it late before beating Alavés 2-1 on Sunday evening. Guidetti gave the visitors a first half lead, and it was not until the last twenty minutes or so that the Catalans came back, Luis Suárez making it all square with a shot which deflected in off Piqué, and Messi getting the winner with a direct free kick. Atlético Madrid consolidated second spot with a 3-0 victory over Las Palmas earlier in the afternoon, and they are now six points clear of Valencia, who they meet next weekend. All the goals came in the last half hour, Griezmann starting things off and Fernando Torres and Thomas adding two more later on. Atleti were knocked out of the cup midweek by Sevilla, but the Andalusians had a bit of a set-back in the league on Sunday, a 1-1 draw against Getafe leaving them four points adrift of Villarreal, albeit still in sixth spot. Muriel put the locals ahead with twenty minutes to go, but Angel equalised in injury time in controversial circumstances, the referee waving away claims for a foul on keeper Sergio Rico in the build up. Getafe are now ninth, and their neighbours Leganés are now level with them in the table after they beat Espanyol 3-2 in the mid-day kick-off. Visiting defender Mario Hermoso scored an odd hat-trick, putting through his own net twice, and then getting one back at the other end with two minutes to go. Marc Navarro got the other goal for the Catalans, with Guerrero scoring for the hosts. (28.01.18)

Real Madrid bounced back from their midweek cup defeat, a 1-4 victory at third placed Valencia on Saturday afternoon taking them to within two points of the Ches in the table (and with a game still in hand). Ronaldo converted two first half penalties to give Zidane’s side the lead at the break, and although Santi Mina got one back, late goals by Marcelo and Kroos wrapped things up. Villarreal stay just a point below Madrid however after they beat Real Sociedad 4-2 later in the evening. The locals raced into a three goal lead with strikes by Víctor Ruíz, Pablo Fornals and Bacca in the first twenty minutes, and although Diego Llorente replied for the visitors, Samu Castillejo scored a fourth before the interval. After the restart Willian José added a second for Real, but they end the day just three places above the relegation spots. Deportivo stay in the bottom three however after they could only draw 2-2 against the team just above them, Levante. The Galicians took a two goal lead through Adrián López and Andone, but Borges was sent off before the break, and Ivi scored twice in the last ten minutes to save a point for the visitors. Málaga are still in bottom spot after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Girona, the result keeping the Catalans in mid-table, level on points with Athletic Bilbao, who drew 1-1 against neighbours Eibar on Friday. Aduríz headed the locals in front soon after the break, but Kike García made it all square to keep his side two points above their hosts in the rankings. (27.01.18)