La Liga Round-Up: Atleti Back On Track, Espanyol Shocked, Zaragoza Fall

Saturday 9 February 2008 (all times local)
20:00 Real Murcia 0 - 1 Villarreal
20:00 Deportivo 1 - 1 Getafe
22:00 Sevilla 1 - 1 Barcelona
Sunday 10 February
17:00 Osasuna 1 - 0 Zaragoza
17:00 Athletic 1 - 0 Levante
17:00 Racing 0 - 2 Atletico Madrid
17:00 Mallorca 0 - 0 Almeria
17:00 Espanyol 1 - 2 Recreativo
19:00 Real Madrid L - L Valladolid
21:00 Valencia L - L Betis

Deportivo La Coruna 1 - 1 Getafe

Getafe finally grabbed a point at what has hitherto been a barren arena for them, thanks to Ikechukwu Uche's post-African Cup of Nations comeback.

Depor had the best of the first half, and even without Andres Guardado were apt to use the flanks well.

Thus it was no surprise when they took the lead just before the interval, with Felipe's cross from the right flank meeting Pablo Amo, whose header deflected off Geta defender Mario into his own net.

After the break, Getafe appeared far more aggressive, pouring pressure on Fabri's goal. Eventually it paid off, with substitute Ikechukwu Uche, only just back from Africa Cup of Nations duty with Nigeria, slamming home 20 minutes from time.

He was to have more chances, but an unwillingness to pass found him all too easily crowded out, and Depor thus held onto a merited point.

CA Osasuna 1 - 0 Real Zaragoza

Osasuna edged out Zaragoza to end the blanquillos' recent renaissance, and help the Pamplonans towards safety.

The two sides started in cagey fashion, but as the half wore on, there were chances for each of them.

Osasuna, fielding an attack-minded lineup, had the best of them, but Ricardo had to be alert for the threat of Oliveira at the other end.

Right on half time, the rojillos got a merited goal through Jaroslav Plasil, who controlled a high ball beautifully before clipping the ball past Cesar.

The second half kicked off in scrappy fashion, and it took quite a while for the first real chance to come. Zaragoza, despite making two attacking changes, didn't have much of a look-in.

Indeed, the best opportunity fell to Delporte six minutes from time, but the Frenchman's effort rattled the post. Still, his side had done enough, and 1-0 it ended.

Athletic Club Bilbao 1 - 0 Levante UD

Levante remain in deep trouble as Athletic managed a relatively routine win at San Mames.

The Lions had the best of the first half, with Llorente and Yeste particularly active.

Long-range efforts and set-pieces gave both sides their best chances, with most of them taking place at Kujovic's goal.

Such pressure eventually resulted in a goal, albeit in strange circumstances. Kujovic fluffed a clearance, allowing Aduriz to seize the ball and play it across the goal for Llorente, who eagerly hit home.

Levante had to resort to long balls, but Athletic looked relatively comfortable throughout, and were able to hold onto their lead.

Real Racing Club 0 - 2 Club Atlético de Madrid

Atleti's mini-crisis drew to a close as Racing surrendered their fine home record to a Diego Forlan double.

Racing started off brightly, with Abbiati needing to come off his line on more than one occasion to deal with surging crosses.

Ivan Bolado shot just over 20 minutes in as Racing continued to impress, but neither he nor his teammates could find the finish.

Eventually, Atletico began to control the mdifield, and even got forward to give Forlan a couple of good occasions, but the hour mark came and went without a goal to speak of.

But their pressure paid off when Forlan grabbed a much-needed, confidence-boosting goal just before the hour mark after a poor clearance from Racing.

It could have been 2-0 immediately after, but for Coltorti's fine save from Simao's close-range effort, and he had to be alert again to stop Aguero immediately afterwards.

It was clear as to which way the tide was turning, and Forlan duly managed a second fifteen minutes from time with a powerful effort from mid-range, and the game was over as a contest.

RCD Mallorca 0 - 0 UD Almería

Neither side could quite find their cutting edge in this goalless stalemate.

In an active start to the game, Ramis came close at one end before Corona shot just wide at the other.

Almeria were clearly high on confidence after their exploits last week, but overall the game was largely based in the midfield, the hosts being equally eager to impress.

Crusat and Corona both had half-chances before the break, but Trejo was threatening at the other end as the period of balance continued into the second half.

Any time there was a threat in front of goal, the respective 'keepers were able to deal with it, although Diego Alves' save six minutes from time was of particular brilliance after fine work from Arango and Guiza.

It seemed destined to end 0-0, and thus it stayed.

RCD Espanyol 1 - 2 Recreativo de Huelva

The "new manager effect" struck yet again as Manolo Zambrano's charges raced to victory at Montjuic.

Recre started well, and duly managed the lead 17 minutes in when Florent Sinama-Pongolle smashed mercilessly past Casilla.

Just eight minutes later, the Frenchman made it two after some superb forward movement from left-back Poli, who found Sinama-Pongolle at the far post for an easy finish.

Debutant Ewerthon managed to bundle the ball home after a Luis Garcia corner just before the break, but Recre finished the half brightly.

After the break, though, Sorrentino had to pull off a fine save from Riera and then Luis Garcia missed a great chance as Espanyol tried to fight back.

The perequitos did manage to dominate possession, but Recre were arguably just as dangerous on the break, meaning that they left quite worthy winners.