Saturday Liga Results: Sergio Canales sinks Sevilla; Atlético fight back

Sevilla 1 - 2 Racing Santander
(0-1) 25' Canales, (0-2) 37' Canales, (1-2) 61' Romaric

Sevilla sunk to another deflating home defeat as they were ripped apart by a first-half Sergio Canales masterclass. The teen sensation scored two stunning goals, leaving clear signs that he is destined for stardom, as Miguel Angel Portugals Racing team stung Sevilla with some scintillating counter-attacking football. The first goal was a delightful chip over Palop, with the second exquisitely executed as he rounded Palop and waited before slotting past a desparate lunge from Adriano on the line. True cold-blooded finishing from a Racing youth product half owned by Deportivo La Coruña. For Sevilla manager Manolo Jimenez he will be hoping his team can fight through January, dropping as few points as possible as Kanoute, Kone and Zokora compete in the African Cup of Nations and Luis Fabiano recovers from injury. They also need to rectify a home record of four wins in nine if they are to arrest a slide which has already put pay to their La Liga hopes and has seen them slide out of the Champions League positions.

READ ON FOR REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS OF ALL TODAYS LA LIGA MATCHES

Real Valladolid 0 - 4 Atlético Madrid

(0-1) 16' Jurado, (0-2) 31' Forlan, (0-3) 58' Reyes, (0-4) 90' Agüero

A truely ruthless display from Atlético Madrid that erased memories of a catastrophic midweek display in the cup and which saw their recent league revival continued. Jose Antonio Reyes was at the heart of all that was good about Atlético as he set up Jurados first and arrowed in the third from well outside the box. Alvaro Dominguez was impeccable at the back as his team finally set up a firm defensive foundation from which their starstudded attacking lineup could flourish. Quite why Valladolid defended so high up the pitch was a mystery to most as some well-timed runs and electric pace from Forlán, Reyes and Agüero destroyed Mendilibars men. Quique with his teams reaction to the midweek cup defeat, and with his team now only 8 points of the UEFA spots the comeback is well and truely on. Next up, Sporting Gijon in the Vicente Calderon.

Villarreal 1 - 1 Almería

(1-0) 40' Nilmar, (1-1) 67' Corona (p)

Almería have found a second wind since Hugo Sanchez was given the boot, and after beating Xerez last week they held a rejuvenated Villarreal to a draw in Juanma Lillos second match in charge. Nilmar headed in Villarreals goal after some sterling work out wide by Santi Cazorla, whilst Almerías equaliser came from the penalty spot after Goitom was felled by Marcano, who was later sent off for a disgraceful challenge on Ortiz. Ernesto Valverde will certainly see this result as two points dropped as they continue to repair the early-season damage. He definitely didnt help by starting Ibergaza, Cani and Llorente all on the bench.