13/04/2010

La Liga relegation dogfight hots up as Real Valladolid and Tenerife win

Real Valladolid and Tenerife secured three vital points apiece as they revived their hopes of survival. Having shared the points this weekend in the Canaries, any less than a midweek win could have proved decisive as both look to avoid the dreaded drop into what the Spanish delightfully term 'Hell'. Real Valladolid welcomed Sevilla to the Jose Zorilla, with the Andalucians scrapping with Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao for that final Champions League slot. Yet not for the first time recently, Sevilla looked devoid of any threat, and succumbed to strikes from Diego Costa and Manucho, as Javier Clemente continues to stamp his authority upon a situation that only days ago had looked out of control.


Tenerife were also in last-chance saloon and they didn't disappoint as they recorded a noteworthy win away at Sporting Gijon. Infact it was incredibly their first away win of the season and it came at just the right time. With Sporting keeper Juan Pablo in fine form they had to wait until late on before making sure of the three points as Román and Alfaro found the net in the last twenty minutes at El Molinon. The pressure is really on Málaga, Real Zaragoza and Racing Santander, as any dropped points tomorrow would signal their return into the relegation dogfight. As for Xerez, any less than a win at the Vicente Calderon would mean almost certain relegation back to La Segunda. But with five teams still fighting it out tooth and nail, its really hotting up at the bottom of La Liga.

Real Valladolid 2 - 1 Sevilla
(1-0) 41' Diego Costa, (2-0) 53' Manucho, (2-1) 83' Cala

Sporting Gijon 0 - 2 Tenerife
(0-1) 70' Roman, (0-2) 87' Alfaro

Getafe 3 - 0 Villarreal
(1-0) 56' Miku (2-0) 72' Manu (3-0) 86' Miku

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