Wednesday, October 21, 2009

La Liga round-up

La Liga round-up

Villarreal's horrendous start to the Spanish season continued as they went bottom of the table after defeat to Xerez.

Newly promoted Xerez were the only other side without a win in Spain's top-flight - but they grabbed the first-ever Primera Liga win as they came from behind to defeat Villarreal.

Robert Pires had given the visitors the lead after 18 minutes, but Xerez were level before the break as Mario Bermejo pounced.

Then with 11 minutes to go, Xerez sealed their landmark success as Antonito grabbed the winner.

Villarreal could not find a way back into the match and their Argentine international Gonzalo Rodriguez was dismissed late on.

Xerez remain in the bottom three on goal-difference, but they also moved above Malaga - who lost 2-1 at home to Almeria.

The visitors were 2-0 ahead at interval thanks to goals from Domingo Cisma (39) and Fernando Soriano (41).

Edinho pulled one back for The Boquerones - but they could not find an equaliser.

At the other end of the table Real Mallorca moved into sixth after a comfortable 3-1 win over Getafe.

Julio Alvarez opened the scoring (31) for The Islanders, and they swept to victory thanks to a second-half brace from Aduriz. Getafe claimed a late consolation from Juan Albin.

Atheltic Bilbao failed to keep up the pace with Mallorca as they lost 2-1 at home to Sporting Gijon - which lifts them into seventh place.

Sporting's hero was Miguel as he grabbed a brace for the visitors.

Gaizka Toquero pulled one back with ten minutes remaining for Bilbao, but the Basque side could not find an equaliser.

Espanyol moved into the top-eight following a 2-1 win over Tenerife in Barcelona.

Ivan Alonso's brace sandwiched an effort from Alejandro Alfaro to give

Mauricio Pochettino's men victory.

Osasuna find themselves in the top-half of the table after a comfortable 3-0 win over struggling Atletico Madrid.

A brace from Walter Pandiani in the opening 27 minutes sent Osasuna on their way and the victory was sealed on the half-hour when Carlos Aranda pounced.

Real Zaragoza threw away a two-goal lead at home to Racing Santander as they drew 2-2 at La Romareda.

Francisco Pavon (22) and Javier Arizmendi (33) looked to have set Zaragoza on their way to victory.

But two goals in the final ten minutes from Mohamed Tchite and Oscar Serrano gave Racing a share of the spoils.

Zaragoza also had Leonardo Ponzio sent-off in stoppage time.



Second-half surge lifts Chivas to playoffsLa Liga round-up