La Liga Results - Highlights 05.12.09: Madrid and Barca widen the gap

Real Madrid 4 - 2 Almería

 

(1-0) 31' Sergio Ramos, (1-1) 58' Soriano, (1-2) 62' Kalu Uche, (2-2) 74' Higuaín, (3-2) 82' Benzema, (4-2) 88' Cristiano Ronaldo

• Almería gave Real Madrid a fright when they fought back from 1-0 down to lead in the Bernabeu. In end, Madrids greater potency infront of goal proved decisive.
• Gonzalo Higuaín scored another vital goal to drag Madrid back into the match. He also played a part in the goals from Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo that put the game out of reach for Hugo Sanchezs men. The Argentine is key to Real Madrids hopes for Liga glory this year.
• Cristiano then ruined the party by getting needlessly sent off. One yellow for revealing those famous abs after scoring and another for petulantly kicking out after a tussle. He now misses the match against Valencia in the Mestalla which won't go down to well with Pelligrini.
• Major talking point from the match, apart from his red card, was Ronaldos reaction to Madrids third goal. He missed the penalty but Benzema reacted first to slot in the rebound. Cue hands on head and no celebration from CR9.

 

Xerez 0 - 2 Atlético Madrid

(0-1) 28' Forlán, (0-2) 61' Agüero

• A poor match that was settled by two clinical finishes from Diego Forlán and Sergio Agüero. Atlético were never put under much pressure from a dismal Xerez, but they will need to improve against stronger opposition if they want to maintain their fightback in the league. The one exception was Jurado who was majestic in the middle of the park.
• Xerezs backline played far too high up the pitch and were punished by two through balls which found Forlán and Agüero in acres of space. And why on earth was David 'The Snail' Prieto playing when the Atlético strikers have pace to burn?
• The Xerez fans voiced their anger towards the end of the match, calling for the head of coach Ziganda. Expect him to be shown the door this week, especially if the proposed buyout by ex-Real Madrid and Xerez manager, Bernd Schuster, materialises.

 

Sevilla 1 - 1 Real Valladolid

(0-1) 33' Manucho, (1-1) 46' Luis Fabiano (p)

• Devastating blow for Sevilla, who see a nine point gap open up between themselves and Barcelona. Only a couple of weeks ago they were being mentioned as possible candidates to win the league. Very different story now.
• Ex-Manchester United striker Manucho put the Valladolid ahead, but they played from the 39th minute onwards with ten men after Borja was sent off. Sevilla only managed to equalise through that man Luis Fabiano, who can't stop scoring, but failed to take advantage thereafter. Poor show.
• If you want to win the league, games like this simply have to reap three points. Sevilla have now drawn two in a row at home against limited opposition, and have seen their hopes of winning La Liga fade away before xmas.

Deportivo La Coruña 1 - 3 Barcelona

(0-1) 26' Messi, (1-1) 38' Adrián, (1-2) 80' Messi, (1-3) 88' Ibrahimovic

• Things were looking complicated for Barca until Messi stuck them ahead with ten minutes left. The Argentines first goal was exquisite, the second a clinical header. Ibrahimovic sealed the deal with a well-taken strike towards the end. I wasn't convinced he was a good buy when they signed him this summer, but how wrong I was. A giant Swedish goal machine.
• For 80 minutes Depor matched Barca stride for stride. Manuel Pablo was a rock at the back, and they dealt manfully with the Barca threat. Adriáns goal was their reward but in truth it was a monumental error from Victor Valdes.
• The Ballon D'Or seems to have reinvigorated Leo Messi, and he looked back to his best as he steered Barcelona to their third win in a week. Him and Ibrahimovic are linking up beautifully at the moment.