Villarreal never got going in this one and they see their recent comeback put to a halt. Nilmar, Pires and Rossi never got into the match, and you know if they don't play well, the yellow submarine is going to struggle. Senna was their best player on the day, performing his habitual task of breaking things up in the middle but with nothing going on ahead of him it was a lonely existence for the Brazilian-born midfielder. Diego Lopez kept up his reputation as a spot-kick expert with saves from two Gijon penalties.
Unfortunately for Lopez, Sportings Croatian striker Mate Bilic was first to react from the first save and slotted in after 75 mins to give his side the three points. They're surprising everyone this season, and find themselves a point off the European places, although it's doubtful they'll be able to maintain this superb run for much longer. Saying that, relegation doesnt look likely either and thats something coach Preciado would have settled for before a ball was kicked in September.
VALENCIA 1 - 1 MALLORCA
Not a great day for the 'Los Che' as they let a goal lead slip and lost David Silva to a serious looking injury. Valencia were dominating when Silva went down clutching his knee and their play suffered without the little playmaker from the Canary Islands. I'd put him at the same level as Iniesta, he's that good, and without him Valencia lacked the same bite in attack; let's hope he's back soon. That said Villa and Pablo Hernandez had chances to put their team out of sight but they found Mallorca keeper Aouate in inspired form.
Villa tapped in three minutes into the second half after Benenga had shot across the area, but they couldn't find the killer second goal. And they were made to pay because five minutes from time defender Bruno inexplicably barged into Castro in the area (god knows what he was thinking), and former West Brom midfielder Borja completed the formalities from 12 yards. Mallorca manager Gregorio Manzano must be favourite to take over from Del Bosque when he retires as Spain coach, because the man is tactical genius personified. Bravo.
SEVILLA 2 - 2 MALAGA
So much for my 4-0 prediction! And if it was a long night for any team it was most definitely for Sevilla. They had several clear chances in the first half, whilst Malaga had two. And yet it was the away side who went in at half time 0-2 up. Fernando side-footed in after some choas in the Sevilla area, and former Sevillano Duda struck the second after a deflected shot fell into his path. But the Portguese winger enjoyed that. He certainly looked like he did.
Luckily for Sevilla they have a lad upfront called Luis Fabiano, and he's lethal. Two chances came his way in the second half and he stuck them both away. First was a bullet header, the second a glorious low strike from a Kanoute flick. He is now tenth in Sevillas list of all-time top goalscorers, and his price tag just keeps on rising.
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