Friday, October 7, 2011
Primera Liga round-up
Julio Baptista's stunning overhead kick earned Malaga a 3-2 win over Getafe to send them to the top of the table. Click below for individual match facts and stats: Malaga 3 Getafe 2 Osasuna 2 Real Mallorca 2 Racing Santander 1 Rayo Vallecano Valencia 1 Granada 0 Villarreal 2 Real Zaragoza 2 After a goalless first half Pedro Leon broke the deadlock on 55 minutes for Getafe with a stunning volley from the edge of the box which flew into the top corner. Malaga drew level on 64 minutes when Ruud van Nistelrooy headed home from close range for his first goal for the club. The visitors restored their lead 15 minutes later when Miku headed home, but they were immediately reduced to ten men when Medhi Lacen was sent off for a second bookable offence. Enzo Maresca drew Malaga level two minutes from time when he scrambled the ball home from close range. There was still time left for Baptista to win it for Malaga with a brilliant acrobatic overhead kick deep into injury-time. Valencia maintained their fine start to the season with a 1-0 win over new boys Granada at La Mestalla. On-loan Real Madrid midfielder Sergio Canales was the hero for Valencia with the only goal of the game after just four minutes. Villarreal twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Real Zaragoza at El Madrigal. Luis Garcia gave Zaragoza a shock lead on 35 minutes, but Giuseppe Rossi drew the hosts level from the penalty spot six minutes later. On-loan winger Pablo Barrera restored Zaragoza's lead right on the stroke of half-time before Maurizio Lanzaro was sent off for the visitors ten minutes from time. Villarreal made their numerical advantage count when Hernan Perez levelled matters six minutes from time. Racing Santander are still searching for their first win of the season after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Rayo Vallecano. Raul Tamudo fired Rayo in front after 20 minutes, but Adrian Gonzalez replied for Santander just before the hour mark. Osasuna and Real Mallorca shared the spoils after an entertaining 2-2 draw at Reyno de Navarra. Tomer Hemed gave Mallorca the lead from the penalty spot on 34 minutes only for Raul Garcia to equalise for Osasuna on the stroke of half-time. Garcia netted his second of the game just before the hour to put Osasuna in control, but Hemed netted his second penalty of the game 11 minutes from time to ensure a point for Mallorca.