23/11/2010

La Liga Matchday 12: Mallorca Storm To Win In Sanchez Pizjuan

Sevilla 1 - 2 Mallorca


It ended up being an unhappy reunion for Gregorio Manzano with his old club Mallorca, as the islanders shocked the Sanchez Pizjuan with a late winner from Webo. The match was a tale of two halves as Mallorca controlled the first 45 minutes, Marti and Joao Victor shielding the back four admirably, while Chori Castro and Michael Pereira looked dangerous down the wings. And it was the Frenchman Pereira who deservedly put the visitors infront with a neat left-footed finish past Palop following good work from Castro. Whatever Manzano said at half-time worked, because Sevilla came out a different side and began to exert serious pressure on Dudu Aouates goal. Alvaro Negredo was enjoying a hefty battle with Nunes and Ruben, with Luis Fabiano looking more and more dangerous as the match wore on.

And it was 'El Fabuloso' who finally gave Sevilla reward for their dominance. The Brazilian had just whistled a header past the post when he latched onto a fine Renato pass to finish confidently past Aouate. The goal looked to have lifted Sevilla from the jaws of defeat, but there was to be one more twist. Mallorca, who had been severely under the cosh the whole second half, summoned one last sucker punch as almost immediately after Sevilla's equaliser, Marti lifted a free-kick into the box which was headed superbly into the net by Cameroon striker Webo. The referee added five minutes of added time in a frantic finale, but Sevilla couldn't find a way through. Gregorio Manzano won't remember the match fondly as the top four still eludes Sevilla.


Real Sociedad 2 - 4 Atletico Madrid

Diego Forlan and Sergio Agüero are back in the money and how Atletico are reaping the rewards. Real Sociedad looked to be on course for a worthy win over Atleti after 70 minutes after Joseba Llorente had given them an early lead, the striker taking advantage of a slip from Tomas Ujfalusi to tap in from close range on 12 minutes although who quite got the last touch was difficult to see. From then on Sociedads rearguard restricted Atleticos dangermen to potshots from outside the area as Agüero and Forlan struggled to find a way past Ansotegi and Gonzalez.

That was until twenty minutes from time when the game saw five goals in a frenzied finale. Agüero and Forlan suddenly clicked into gear, with 'El Kun' controlling a long ball majestically before laying off to Forlan to level the match. Ten minutes later Agüero got his name on the scoresheet, finishing from close range from an Ujfalusi cross. Atletis third followed in the 82nd minute as Agüero got his second of the night after Bravo had thwarted Forlan, the ball running lose in the area, with Agüero making no mistake from the rebound. Real Sociedad were out for the count, but a stunning goal from Diego Rivas from outside the area breathed renewed hope into his side. There was to be more drama as Jose Antonio Reyes was brought down on one of his winding runs, Simoa making up for a mistake in the lead up to Sociedads second by converting from the spot. The result sees Atletico jump up to sixth while Real Sociedad remain in ninth.


Espanyol 3 - 0 Hercules

Espanyol continued their unbeaten run at Cornella with a sixth win on the bounce, overpowering a disapointing Hercules 3-0. Considered one of the fortresses of La Liga, the Estadio Cornella El Prat has witnessed their team go from strength to strength this season, lead by the pure class of striker Pablo Osvaldo. The Argentinian has been a revelation in this Espanyol side, always carrying a threat and always capable of nicking a goal or two. Espanyol's first was the fruit of Osvaldos touch and vision as he lead a clinical counter attack, laying the ball off for Verdu who slotted past Calatayud.

The goal knocked the wind out of Hercules, and with Royston Drenthe missing and David Trezeguet and Nelson Valdez unable to assert themselves in attack, Esteban Vigo's outfit never looked like dragging themselves back into the match. And when they did find a route to goal, Carlos Kameni was equal to anything thrown at him. As soon as Hercules goalkeeper Juan Calatauyd was sent off for upending Osvaldo the match was all but over. Osvaldo picked himself to dispatch the penalty. There was to be another penalty for the home side when Vazquez was fouled, Luis Garcia taking it upon himself to slot in the third. After a solid start to the season, Hercules suddenly find themselves being dragged towards to bottom four. Espanyol on the other hand, consolidate their lofty position in the top four. Hats off to Mauricio Pochettino and his unfancied side.


Deportivo La Coruña 3 - 0 Malaga

Depor continued their recent revival with a precious win over a direct rival in the bottom half of La Liga, Manuel Pellegrinis Malaga. The win eased the pressure yet further off manager Miguel Angel Lotina and sees the Galician club rise to mid-table safety, suddenly only 6 points off the UEFA spots. Since the match against Espanyol, four matchdays ago, Depor have looked a different team, built off the security of a back five lead by Colotto, Aythami and Lopo and the finishing instincts of Riki and Adrian.

The truth is a 3-0 defeat was harsh on Malaga, who at times controlled the match. But with Duda and Baha misfiring and second half substitutes Quincy and Edinho failing to change Malagas fortunes up top, it was Depor's sharp finishing and Malagas lack of concentration in defence that proved decisive. Adrian slammed in the first from the spot after Colotto had been fouled and it was the big centre-back that made it two after half-time, heading in from a corner after losing marker Kris far too easily. Malaga continued to threaten, yet it was Depor who finished the match off as a contest on 83 minutes, substitute Pablo Alvarez making space for himself on the edge of the box before sending a delightful shot past Arnau. With their newfound solidity at the back, this Depor team will be hard to beat.


Osasuna 1 - 0 Sporting Gijon

Osasuna continue their fine run in the Reyno Navarro, they remain unbeaten their since March, as they overcame a Sporting Gijon side desperately lacking in the intensity that saw them run Real Madrid so close last weekend. There were never likely to be many goals in this encounter, as while much of the first half had 0-0 written all over it, up popped Osasuna's Iranian star Masoud just after half time to score the games only goal, completing a text book counter to calmly finish past Juan Pablo. The only downer on Osasuna's win was the injury to striker Carlos Aranda. Without Pandiani and Aranda, goals will continue to be a struggle for Camacho's men.

Levante 3 - 1 Racing Santander

If Levante manage to saves themselves from what many regard as certain relegation, it will be down to the performances of Christian Stuani and Felipe Caicedo. The two men scored all three of Levante's goals against a dismal Racing Santander that never looked like getting anything from the match once striker Markus Rosenburg missed a glit-edged chance early on. All three goals came before half-time as Ecuadorian Felipe Caicedo showed how important he will be to the Levante cause with two well-taken goals and a performance that dragged that Racing back four all over the place. Racing managed a late consolation through sub Mehdi Lacen but it did little to disguise a shoddy performance that will heap yet more pressure on manager Miguel Angel Portugal.

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