La Liga round-up: Cristiano Ronaldo writes his name into Madrid derby folklore whilst Barcelona drop more points at home
Sevilla move up to third with their win whilst Granada's winless streak continues
YOU can’t keep a good man down it seems and Cristiano Ronaldo wrote his name right across the last Madrid derby to be played at the Vicente Calderon in what was another epic encounter on Saturday night.
Despite the late withdrawal of Sergio Ramos to add to the losses of Karim Benzema, Alvaro Morata, Toni Kroos, Pepe and Casemiro, Real Madrid were far the better side in the first half, with Isco particularly catching the eye.
Ronaldo’s opener may have been fortuitous as was his penalty award, but the Portuguese stuck both chances away with aplomb.
As a patched up Los Blancos back line held firm against anything Atleti threw at them, Gareth Bale scampered away on the counter to set up Ronaldo for his third. Game, set and match.
Atletico Madrid now sit nine points behind their neighbours and look far from the unbeatable XI of last season. Diego Simeone will be particularly disappointed that his side made life so easy for their visitors.
Barcelona had the opportunity earlier in the day to go top for a few hours at least, but fluffed their lines. A 0-0 draw against Malaga means that they’ve already dropped seven points at the Camp Nou in 2016/17.
However, over 80 percent possession and almost 20 shots on goal says more about Barca’s finishing abilities than the defensive attributes of Juande Ramos’ side.
Gerard Pique was superb on his return for the Catalans but Paco Alcacer may as well pack up and go home. The former Valencia striker still hasn’t scored for his new club and didn’t even touch the ball from the 10th to the 41st minute!
Luis Enrique now has to get his players up for a trip to the Anoeta, where they’ve not won since 2007, and an El Clasico against Real. No pressure then.
No sooner had Gus Poyet been dispensed with by Real Betis than his replacement, Victor Sanchez, came up trumps against a decent Las Palmas outfit. Despite playing a defensive 5-3-2 formation, the hosts were quicker to every ball and showed the urgency that had been missing for long periods under Poyet’s reign.
Joaquin’s two assists were put away by central defensive pairing Aissa Mandi and Bruno to give Betis an unassailable half time lead.
A five-goal thriller at the Riazor was lit up by Florin Andone’s superb solo effort for Deportivo La Coruna. It was the hosts second of the game against Sevilla after Ryan Babel had stunned the visitors in the first minute.
Steven N’Zonzi’s piledriver before half-time was a crucial response but it took until the 87th-minute for Vitolo to come up with the equaliser. With the wind knocked out of their sails, Depor couldn’t see out the final few minutes, Gabriel Mercado scoring Sevilla’s winner in injury time after keeper Tyton fumbled Nico Pareja’s effort.
A stunning strike from Eibar’s Fran Rico set the tone for their match against Celta Vigo. Although the Basques couldn’t add to their tally, they were the better team throughout and fully deserved the victory.
Three points for Valencia should’ve been a pre-requisite against the only team still to win in La Liga, Granada. Yet it was the visitors who deservedly went in front in first half injury time through Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez.
Nani spared Los Che’s blushes with a 47th-minute equaliser but far too many of Cesare Prandelli’s players were below par on the day.
Espanyol’s recent good form continued with a late show against a stubborn Alaves side. A feisty but fairly equal encounter was settled in the 81st-minute by Gerard Moreno, who also missed a penalty for the visitors.
A close-range opener from Xabi Prieto saw Real Sociedad into the lead at Sporting Gijon but it was short lived as Duje Cop slid one home from outside the box before the half hour.
Within five second-half minutes the away side had the game won via David Zurutuza and a 35-yard free-kick from Inigo Martinez. The win sees the Basques into fifth and deservedly so. Watch out Barca!
We had to wait until the second half for the opening, and only goal at San Mames. Athletic Bilbao talisman Aritz Aduriz turned beautifully to get his shot away on target, only for Villarreal keeper Sergio Asenjo to parry it straight into Raul Garcia’s path for an easy finish.
The loss leaves the Yellow Submarine in fourth whilst Los Leones leapfrog near neighbours Eibar into seventh.
Leganes entertain Osasuna on Monday night to close out this week’s action.