MADRID, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Brief reports of matches played in
the Primera Liga this weekend:
ATLETICO MADRID 1 GETAFE 0
Atletico moved into Champions League territory after this narrow
win over neighbours Getafe. Portugal midfielder Maniche got the
winner midway through the first half with a diving header after
Fernando Torres had skipped past centre-back Alexis and clipped in
a fine cross from the byline. - - - -
ESPANYOL 0 REAL MADRID 1
Real played little in the way of fluent football, but they managed
to come away with their first win in three seasons at Montjuic
thanks to a sharp strike from Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The Dutchman spun outside a defender and tucked a shot low into the
corner at the start of the second half and Real held on despite
having centre back Fabio Cannavaro controversially sent off four
minutes later when he was wrongly adjudged to have handled the
ball. - - - -
LEVANTE 1 CELTA VIGO 1
Celta got off to a flying start when Fernando Baiano put them ahead
with barely a minute on the clock, taking his tally for the season
to eight goals when he curled a great shot beyond the reach of
Levante keeper Jose Molina.
But Levante earned themselves a valuable point when centre back
Alvaro fired home a bullet header early in the second half. - - -
-
REAL SOCIEDAD 3 GIMNASTIC TARRAGONA 2
Sociedad finally managed to notch up their first win of the season,
but they did it the hard way, twice coming from behind before
making off with the points.
Centre back Miguel Angel Llera put Gimnastic in front with a
glancing header but Sociedad equalised at the start of the second
half when Nastic defender Mingo put through his own net.
The visitors restored their lead less than a minute later when
Ruben Castro drilled in after beating the offside trap, but
Sociedad won through thanks to a header from centre back Juanito
and a well-taken volley from midfielder Diego Rivas. - - - -
RECREATIVO HUELVA 1 SEVILLA 3
Sevilla took advantage of Barcelona's absence at the Club World Cup
to reclaim the leadership with an 11th win of the season.
They took the lead in controversial fashion when Brazilian striker
Luis Fabiano netted from the penalty spot after winger Antonio
Puerta had dived in the area.
Recre levelled soon after thanks to a fine header from midfielder
Jesus Vazquez, but a 12th goal of the season from the in-form
Frederic Kanoute and a neat finish from tricky winger Jesus Navas
assured them of the win that not even the dismissal of centre back
Aitor Ocio could prevent. - - - -
VILLARREAL 1 OSASUNA 4
Osasuna continued their recent revival with a fourth win in a row
against an out of sorts Villarreal.
Cameroon striker Pierre Webo put the visitors in front when he
nodded home, Iran midfielder Javad Nekounam doubled their lead
before the break with another fine header and midfielder David
Lopez made it 3-0 from the penalty spot.
Cani pulled one back for Villarreal with a great strike on the
hour, but midfielder Juanfran wrapped up an emphatic win when he
stole in at the near post 20 minutes from time. - - - -
Played Saturday:
DEPORTIVO CORUNA 0 ATHLETIC BILBAO 2
Bilbao eased their relegation worries with a second win in row
under new coach Mane, while Depor are now only three points ahead
of them after an eight-match winless streak.
Midfielder Javi Martinez scored both goals, his first a glancing
header from a corner in the eighth minute and his second a late
strike after he broke down the left soon after Depor centre back
Juanma had been sent off for a second booking. - - - -
REAL MALLORCA 1 RACING SANTANDER 2
Mallorca made a bright start and took a deserved lead when Serbian
forward Bosko Jankovic tucked away a neat half volley in the 17th
minute.
Racing centre back Ruben equalised in the second half when he
nodded in unmarked at the far post and midfielder Javier Balboa
earned his side three points when he put the finishing touch to a
devastating break two minutes from time. - - - -
REAL ZARAGOZA 0 VALENCIA 1
Zaragoza threatened to overrun Valencia in the first half as they
laid siege to their area and peppered their goal with shots.
But their hopes of keeping the pressure on the leading trio
suffered a major setback when Valencia winger Miguel Angel Angulo
netted with a spectacular 30-metre drive four minutes before the
break and they never recovered from the blow. - - - -
Note:
Real Betis v Barcelona has been postponed until Jan. 24 because of
Barca's involvement in the Club World Cup.
