La Liga Matchday 7: Manzano tastes defeat for the first time as Sevilla manager

Sporting Gijon 2 - 0 Sevilla

Gregorio Manzano saw his unbeaten record as Sevilla manager torn to shreds as Sporting Gijon produced two sublime goals and an electric display to send the Andalusians back down south empty-handed. The first goal saw Sangoy head in Riveras inch-perfect cross with aplomb after only six minutes, but they had to wait until early in the second half to make the points safe, Diego Castro scoring with a sumptuous backheel. Well worth looking that goal up on Youtube.

Athletic Bilbao 2 - 1 Real Zaragoza


Fernando Llorente kept up his remarkable goalscoring form this season with Athletic Bilbaos second against a lacklustre Real Zaragoza who never looked like getting anything from the match. Bilbao dominated from start to finish with Andani Iraola slamming home the first after only 11 minutes. Braulio got a consolation in added time but Jose Aurelio Gay is surely on his last warning now as Zaragoza hit rock bottom of La Liga.


Mallorca 0 - 1 Espanyol

Luis Garcias penalty on the half hour was enough to see Espanyol win for the first time in Mallorca since 1999. And they did so having played with ten men for the best part of the match after Osvaldo saw red for an elbow on Crespi. But you wouldnt have noticed as Espanyol had the better opportunties from then on as they hit the home side on the counter. Mallorca were simply shocking and Michael Laudrup will be looking to instill consistency in a team that blows hot and cold week in week out.

Levante 2 - 1 Real Sociedad

Real Sociedads poor form away from Anoeta continued as Levante earned their first home win of the season. Asier Del Horno and Caicedo were the scorers, Sarpong grabbing a late goal for Real. Joseba Llorente and Tamudo started for the first time together upfront, but they didnt get a look in as Levante defended resolutely (something I'm sure we won't hear too much this season) and attacked with ruthless efficiency.

Deportivo La Coruña 0 - 0 Osasuna
Just looking at this fixture can give you nausea, and you have to feel sorry for those fans that paid to turn up. A match were the goalkeepers were the protagonists, closely followed by the ref who incorrectly disallowed a Osasuna effort for offside and sent off Osasunas Camuñas early on for a verbal volley of abuse. Both teams struggling badly to find the back of the net.

Racing Santander 1 - 0 Almeria

Golden oldie Pedro Munitis was the hero as Racing Santander won by a slender margin that could have been so much wider had Diego Alves not produced a string of stunning saves. The Brazilian keeper has to be one of the most underrated keepers in world football and you have to wonder how long it will be until a bigger team comes in for him. Pity for him is that those infront of him are producing shoddy football, leaving Juanma Lillos team hovering above the relegation zone.

Hercules v Villarreal (Monday)