(1-0) 7' Pedro, (1-1) 50' Fuster
Whoever wrote the Camp Nou script for Barcelonas celebration of their six trophy bonanza, a draw with Villarreal surely wasn't part of it. That man Pedro got the hosts off to the perfect start after Thierry Henry had slammed a first time shot onto the bar, and he chested down to fire emphatically past Diego Lopez. From then on the Villarreal defence was heroic in the face of wave after wave of Barca attacks, and even after being turned down a nailed on penalty when Dani Alves felled Marcano, David Fuster was in the right place at the right time to slot in Cani's cross. If Real Madrid win tomorrow they go top. Not quite the New Year start Barca were looking for.
Valencia 1 - 0 Espanyol
(1-0) 92' Zigic
Espanyol fought tooth and nail for the away draw, but were undone by a fantastic Valencia move with practically the last touch of the match. Valencia battered Kamenis goal from start to finish with David Villa at the forefront, offering one mazy run in which he bamboozled one defender, nutmegged a second but found the goalkeepers legs with his shot. When Villa didnt find the Cameroon keeper in fine form, he found the woodwork and it looked like it would be Valencias day when in added time, Nicola Zigic headed a ball out wide to Joaquin, who put in a fantastic cross which found the rampaging beanpole who headed in past Kameni and sent the Mestalla into hysterics. 'Los Che' are flying high.
Atlético Madrid 2 - 1 Sevilla
(0-1) 44' Renato, (1-1) 48' Dragutinovic (o.g), (2-1) 94' Antonio Lopez
Antonio Lopez appeared at the front post to head in Simaos 94th minute free-kick and send the Vicente Calderon into raptures, giving Atlético Madrid a morale boosting start to 2010. The Atlético Madrid faithful deserved this last-gasp treat and whilst there were still a couple of signs of defensive frailty, especially just before giving away the corner which lead to Renatos opener, there were also signs that Atlético had improved upon their 2009 version. Quique gave starts to youngsters Ibrahim, Valera and Dominguez and they repaid their boss with fine displays which betrayed their young years. Sevilla were looking good up until half time but an unlucky rebound off Dragutinovic when Forlán had been clean through brought the hosts level and after Duscher had been sent off for a second yellow they gave away a needless free-kick on the edge of the area which was punished with Atleticos winner.
Well lets see where Atleti go from here. Is this the start of something or just the calm before the storm? The young lads di well and showed promise. I was very impressed with Valera.
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Lets hope it's the start of the revival. Valera was solid, and I was particularly impressed by Ibrahim in the middle, looked very useful. Quique did well to place trust in some young guns who will die for the shirt, it's exactly what they had been lacking last year.
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