La Liga Results/Highlights: Atlético Madrid hobble into Christmas

Tenerife 1 - 1 Atlético Madrid

(1-0) 3' Nino, (1-1) 21' Jurado

• A poor match between two teams that are really struggling to escape the attentions of the relegation zone. Atlético Madrid would have wanted to sign off before Christmas with a much needed three points, but fell behind to an early Nino strike and only managed to salvage a draw. They pushed for a winner in the last ten minutes after Asenjo had saved a Nino penalty but it wasn't to be.
  
• Tenerife can be glad with their position up to now, especially when you take into account the performances of Real Zaragoza who got promoted alongside the islanders, but have a far greater budget. Retaining winger Omar and Ninos goalscoring form will be important to their push for survival.
  

Real Valladolid 2 - 1 Sporting Gijón

(0-1) 13' Luis Moran, (1-1) 29' Nivaldo, (2-1) 90' Medunjanin

• Quality match that flowed from end to end and provided a grandstand finish with Medunjanins brilliant late winner. The Bosnian along with Diego Costa and Cannobio are vital to Real Valladolids hopes in the new year after helping to push their team to relative mid-table safety before the xmas break. A real hit or miss side that will want to find some consistency in 2010.
  
• Sporting took an early lead and contributed to an entertaining match played in freezing conditions. They´ve seen their storming start to the season fade away in recent weeks but they can be happy with the fact that they're closer to the UEFA spots than the relegation zone. They'll be hoping Bilic is back and raring to go in the new year.
  

Villarreal 2 - 0 Racing Santander

(1-0) 49' Llorente, (2-0) 72' Rossi

• The scale of Villarreals revival since hitting rock bottom after 6 matches has meant everyone has forgotten that Ernesto Valverde was one game away from losing his job. The truth is there was always far too much quality in their side to be in that end of the table.
  
• Santi Cazorla came off the bench at half-time to give the home side some added impetus, and together with Cani helped the yellow submarine to the three points through strikes from Joseba Llorente and Rossi. Racing managed to withstand the pressure during the first 45 mins, but with little being offered by Tchite and Xisco upfront the defence folded under the pressure in the second half.
  

Espanyol 2 - 0 Almería

(1-0) 45' Marquez, (2-0) 81' Coro

• Almería fell to yet another defeat which proved to be the straw that broke the boards back and saw Hugo Sanchez sacked as manager. His team lacked fight from the start and Sanchez did little to improve the situation with substitutions that arrived far too late to change the situation.
  
• The three points were vital for Espanyol as they enter the xmas break on a high and four points off the drop zone. Joan Verdú was inspirational in the middle of the park, assisted admirably by Javi Marquez who set his side on the road to victory with a sublime finish on the stroke of half-time.
  

Málaga 2 - 1 Mallorca

(1-0) 23' Fernando, (1-1) 56' Julio Alvarez, (2-1) 76' Forestieri

• If anyone needed three points today it was Málaga. Leaving Xerez firmly rooted to the bottom, the team from La Rosaleda. Young striker Fernando Forestieri came on after 65 mins and ten minutes later scored the goal that keeps his side in touch with the group of teams above.
  
• Mallorca have been the surprise package of the season so far, but suffered from the loss of Borja Valero through injury and two shocking errors from Israeli keeper Arouate which led to both Málaga goals. It will interesting to see if they can continue to challenge for the UEFA spots in 2010.
  

Deportivo La Coruña 0 - 0 Valencia

• The battle for the Champions League spots promised much beforehand but delivered little on the night. Valencia will be the happier of the two as they go into the break occupying that lucrative fourth place while Depor lie below Mallorca in sixth.
  
• Both teams signed off what has been a fantastic start to the 2009/2010 season with a drab encounter. Juan Carlos Valeron was the games best player and he nearly got Depor the goal which would probably have been enough for the points with a header which smacked against Cesars crossbar.