(0-1) 10' Reyes, (1-1) 49' Alonso, (2-1) 55' Arbeloa, (3-1) 62' Higuaín, (3-2) 67' Forlán
Real Madrid leapfrog Barca yet again after an action-packed derby against Atletico Madrid. 'Los Rojiblancos' even managed to make it to halftime a goal to the good after Jose Antonio Reyes' confident finish past Casillas, but from that point on there was only one team in it. Atletico inexplicably retreated into their own half, and Real Madrid took control. De Gea had to be at his best to ensure Atleti started the second half in the lead, but within 17 minutes they found themselves 3-1 down as Alonso, Arbeloa and Higuain all found the net with Real Madrid threatening to run riot. Higuains goal will have especially angered Quique as farcical errors from Thiago (who had played well up to that point) and Assuncao allowed Higuain a free run on goal, and the Argentine rarely fails to find the back of the net when one on one, and tonight was no different. Diego Forlán quickly made it 3-2 after a crazy handball by Xabi Alonso was punished with a penalty (but oddly not even a yellow card), but bar a chance for Forlán with only seconds remaining, that was as close as it would get for Atletico. It's looking increasingly like El Clasico on April 10th is going to be the defining match in this seasons Liga battle.
Villarreal 3 - 0 Sevilla
(1-0) 4' Rossi (2-0) 17' Llorente (3-0) 90' Pires
Sevilla are slowly but surely falling out of the Champions League race as they fell to another morale-sapping defeat at the hands of Villarreal. With Jesus Navas and Diego Perotti out, Sevilla lack a plan B, with Luis Fabiano and Alvaro Negredo starved of service. Villarreal on the other hand were inspired, with Cani, Ibergaza, Rossi and Nilmar simply too much to handle for Sevillas back four. Guiseppe Rossi got the first, running onto Nilmars pass, whilst Joseba Llorente took advantage of another assist from the Brazilian to put the match out of sight for the visitors. Luis Fabiano had a couple of chances to half the deficit, but shot uncharacteristically straight at the keeper on both occasions. Late sub Robert Pires then put the icing on the cake for Juan Garridos men as he slipped the ball past the onrushing Palop to give the scoreline a more realistic reflection. As the Submarine rises towards the European spots, Sevilla see their Champions League ambitions take another blow. A team short on confidence and ideas, Antonio Alvarez has a huge job on his hands.
Xerez 3 - 0 Real Valladolid
(1-0) 1' Victor Sanchez, (2-0) 35' Michel, (3-0) 71' Bermejo (p)
This was supposed to be the last chance saloon for Xerez, as defeat to a direct rival like Real Valladolid would spell almost certain relegation. Just as well the team from Chapin are saving the best for last as they chalked up their eleventh point out of the last 18 available in their search of a footballing miracle. Few people give them a chance but try telling that to the Xerez players, as they close the gap on Real Valladolid to two points and are now only seven away from Real Zaragoza who sit just above the bottom three. Victor Sanchez set them on the road to victory with a goal after only a minute following good work from little Fabiano Orellana. Momo then sent over a superb free-kick which left Michel with the simple task of nodding past Justo Villar, as the Real Valladolid defence crumbled. If todays performance is anything to go by, Valladolid are doomed, as they hardly created a noteworthy chance in the first half, with Manucho an isolated figure upfront. The second half saw much of the same, as Xerez had various chances to extend their lead, and did so with 20 minutes left after a dubious penalty decision from controversial ref Perez Burrul. From where I was sat it looked like Mario Bermejo slipped as he rounded Justo Villar, but Burrul gave the penalty and sent the keeper off. With all their subs already used, Medjunanin went in goal, only to pick the ball straight out of the net as Bermejo made no mistake from the spot. Chapin then went into party mode. The great escape is still very much alive.
Deportivo la Coruña 1 - 3 Getafe
(0-1) 21' Miku, (0-2) 32' Ze Castro, (0-3) 57' Miku, (1-3) 71' Riki
Osasuna 1 - 0 Almeria
(1-0) 20' Pandiani
Espanyol 0 - 0 Sporting Gijon
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