Barcelona 2 - 1 Getafe(1-0) 5' Messi, (2-0) 66' Xavi, (2-1) 93' Soldado
Lionel Messi ran the show as Barcelona recorded an impressive win against Getafe, having played for more than 65 minutes with ten men. Messi gave Barca the lead with a cracking effort after only 5 minutes and it looked like a rout was on the cards as Barca mounted wave after wave of attacks. But then a moment of madness saw Gerard Pique sent off for a nasty challenge on Rafa, which threw the game wide open. Both teams went for the jugular, as Getafe could finally match their opponents now they were down to ten. But lead by a possessed Lionel Messi, Barca went two up when Xavi struck home just after the hour. Game over. But there was still to be some drama, as Marquez was sent off after felling Kepa, with Roberto Soldado slotting home the penalty. Guardiola didnt want to enter into any debates about the refereeing, but he'll have a few late nights as he ponders how to structure his side for their next match against Atlético Madrid without Pique, Marquez, Alves and Toure Yaya.
Real Madrid 3 - 0 Espanyol
(1-0) 5' Ramos, (2-0) 29' Kaká, (3-0) 90' Higuaín
Real Madrid offered their finest performance of the season so far as they took a resigned Espanyol apart at the seams. Kaká finally displayed the sort of form that made Florentino part with €60 million, whilst the back four and Iker Casillas hardly had anything to contend with the whole 90 minutes. Before the game, youngsters Javi Marquez and Verdú had been tipped to give Madrid a run for their money in the middle of the park, but they were blown away by Xabi Alonso, Guti and Granero as Real Madrid turned it up a notch, with some stylish football; toying with their opponents at times. Gonzalo Higuain came back from injury for an eye-catching cameo, topped off with a spectacular goal as the striker topped off Madrids impressive display. The way he took down Van der Vaarts pin-point 40 yard pass was magical, as it allowed him to turn inside the defender, race past Kameni and slot in. Real Madrid are really getting into their stride, and with Cristiano to come back next week, the race for the title is well and truely on.
Valencia 2 - 0 Real Valladolid
(1-0) 8' Banega, (2-0) 29' Villa
Valencia ran riot against Real Valladolid as only poor finishing stopped the scoreline from resembling that of a rugby match. It was Onésimos first match in charge of Valladolid, but the expressive manager was left exasperated on the touchline as his new troops simply couldn't handle the potency of Valencias fantastic four. But even they were a little off the boil as Pablo Hernandez never got into the game and Juan Mata and David Villa wasteful infront of goal. Eva Banega was once again Valencias main man, as he ran the show after scoring a wonderful goal from outside the box to put them one up. Villa headed in Valencias second and from then on it was a blur of white as Valencia set about that elusive third goal that never came. For Valladolid the signs were worrying, with only a couple of breaks from dangerman Diego Costa to show for their efforts. Onésimo has a hell of a job on his hands if he is to stave off relegation.
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