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Monday, March 10, 2008

Post Matches Review - La Liga

Sunday, 9 March 2008



BARCELONA 1-2 VILLARREAL

Marcos Senna put the Yellow Submarines ahead from the penalty spot after Guille Franco was brought down by Barca keeper Victor Valdes on the half hour mark. Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o missed a number of chances for a Barca side who had more of the possession but looked lacking in inspiration against a well-organised and committed Villarreal side.

Xavi equalised on 66 minutes when he finished from just inside the box following excellent work on the left by Ronaldinho and Andres Iniesta, but despite bossing possession they could not force a second and it was the visitors who snatched a win when substitute Jon-Dahl Tomasson tapped in from close range to finish off a quick counter attack.

Ronaldinho hit the bar late on with a free kick, while in injury-time Senna scored his second goal of the night but had it incorrectly ruled out for offside, but the score remained 2-1 to the visitors, who close the gap on second-placed Barca to four points with Real Madrid now firmly in the driving seat for a second consecutive Liga title.



ATHLETIC BILBAO 2-0 VALLADOLID

Bilbao midfielder Igor Gabilondo headed in at the back post after six minutes but it was their goalkeeper Armando who took centre stage until Valladolid had defender Pedro Lopez sent off in the 55th. Gabilondo put away a fumble from the goalkeeper in the 69th to help haul Bilbao further away from the relegation places.


OSASUNA 2-1 ALMERIA

Midfielder Kike Sola broke clear and rounded the goalkeeper to put Osasuna in front after six minutes but Almeria midfielder Corona equalised with a free header in the 20th. Defender Cesar Cruchaga headed Osasuna back in front from a free kick in the 29th for their fourth consecutive home win, though Almeria rattled the crossbar at the end.


RACING SANTANDER 3-0 REAL BETIS

The Copa Del Rey semi-finalists stayed in the hunt for a top four finish punishing a Betis side who had defender Melli sent of in the 48th minute. Argentine midfielder Aldo Duscher scored when the keeper spilled a free kick in the 50th, and compatriot Ezequiel Garay netted at another free kick in the 58th. Striker Mohamed Tchite sprinted clear to make it three, two minutes from time.


MALLORCA 7-1 RECREATIVO HUELVA

Mallorca extended their unbeaten run to nine in a game Recre's defence will not want to remember too quickly.
Venezuela forward Juan Arango tapped in from close range in the 18th minute, Spain striker Daniel Guiza hooked in at a corner in the 22nd and the finished off a swift break in the 32nd, before midfielder Borja Valero put away Ariel Ibagaza's cross in the 37th. Argentine striker Marco Ruben headed one back for Recre in the 39th but Valero popped up to make it five for Mallorca in the 41st. Arango broke away twice in quick succession to complete the rout in the 47th and 50th minutes.


MURCIA 0-3 GETAFE

New coach Javier Clemente was unable to inspire struggling Murcia as they made it five defeats in a row without scoring. Copa Del Rey semi-finalists Getafe opened the scoring with a low shot from Pablo Hernandez in the 55th minute, Uruguayan midfielder Juan Albin broke away to double the lead in the 84th and Francisco Casquero made it three in the 87th.


SEVILLA 2-1 LEVANTE

Sevilla's Champions League exit hung heavy as bottom club Levante stunned them after four minutes when Riga caught Andres Palop off his line from 35 metres out. A diving header from Mali midfielder Seydou Keita levelled the scores in the 27th, and Brazilian top scorer Luis Fabiano took his tally to 20 with a shot from Enzo Maresca's cross in the 47th.


VALENCIA 2-2 DEPORTIVO

Valencia stormed into a two-goal lead with a far post shot from forward Juan Mata in the 17th minute, and a header from the same spot by Spain striker David Villa in the 24th. But Depor midfielder Sergio lashed in a long-range effort in the 37th, and a minute before the break midfielder Angel Lafita netted from close range to level, as Valencia disappointed at the Mestalla once again.


Reda Maher / Reuters

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