Real Madrid 2 - 0 Malaga(1-0) 35' Cristiano Ronaldo, (2-0) 39' Cristiano Ronaldo
It takes them a while to get going, during which they are normally indebted to Casillas and poor finishing from their opponents, but it only takes a couple of flashes of excellence to get Real Madrid out of jail and on the road to three points. Today it was Cristiano Ronaldo who took on the responsibility and cracked in two goals to put Malaga out of sight. Yet his brilliance sometimes comes at a cost, and todays was an disgraceful elbow in the face of Mtiliga which earned him a red card and sees him banned from next weeks tricky match against Deportivo. The Galaticos are still not gelling as a unit (bar that sweet move for the first goal!), but as long as they can keep on Barcas tail, when the machine finally clicks they could certainly mount a serious challenge for the league. Trouble for Pelligrini is that it's taking far too long. Next weeks match at the Riazor will be pivotal.
READ ON FOR HIGHLIGHTS OF ALL TONIGHTS LA LIGA MATCHES
(1-0)38' Manu
Atlético Madrid had never lost before in the Coliseum, but today they never showed any signs of continuing that record with a performance so shocking, a 1-0 scoreline didnt do it justice. De Gea saved them on countless occasions, with Getafe deserving much more than the solitary goal from Manu, who is enjoying a sweet run of form. Assuncaos second sending off in ten days rounded off a dismal day for Atletico. Their defence isn't quite Real Zaragoza territory, but not far off. They'll be no Copa del Rey on this evidence.
Tenerife 0 - 0 Valencia
Valencia were expected to leave Tenerife with three points in the backpocket, yet it will be Tenerife who will look back on a lost opportunity to claim maximum points. Cesar, for once, played a blinder and pretty much took on Tenerife on his own as Silva, Mata and Pablo Hernandez didnt click as they so usually do, with even David Villa enduring a torrid afternoon. The 'alternative' for La Liga are not really an alternative at all, more like contenders for third.
Villarreal 4 - 2 Real Zaragoza
(1-0) 3' Capdevila, (2-0) 19' Nilmar (3-0) 25' Rossi, (3-1) 75' Eliseu, (3-2) 82' Lafita, (4-2) 87' Ibergaza
After being handed a pasting by Valencia last week, Ernesto Valverde must have smiled when he saw that their next fixture was Real Zaragoza at home. Guaranteed three points he must have thought. And he wasnt wrong as Zaragoza proved that whilst their defending is suspect at La Romareda, away from home it is non-existent. Whoever their defensive coach is, that's if there even is one, he should take a long hard look in the mirror, because the message is not getting across. 25 minutes of some of the most shocking defending you'll ever see saw Villarreal smash in three goals and a rout was on. Much to Mr Gays credit, his team came out in the second half psyched, and a comeback was on the cards as they brought it back to 3-2, only for Ibergaza to destroy the dream with three minutes left. This 'Chupete' Suazo character looks like more money well spent by Zaragoza....all those goals he's banging in.
Xerez 1 - 2 Osasuna
(1-0) 9' Monreal, (1-1) 22' Bermejo, (1-2) 83' Camuñas
Poor old Xerez. Before the match you feel a sense of renewed hope around the stadium. The stands were full, unusual for a match against Osasuna, the manager had named an attacking line-up the day before, and the players were on the pitch going through punishing drills for 45 minutes before the match. Nestor Gorosito has definitely brought in a higher level of professionalism around the club, but the sad truth is the players aren't up to the grade. They fell behind to a cracking early goal from Monreal, the young full-back striving to be involved in Spains South African adventure this summer. Xerez quickly hit back with a stunning goal of their own as Momo teed up Bermejo to round off an electric team move. Trouble for Xerez is that normally if you dont have quality you have to make up for it with physical presence and fitness levels akin to those of olympians. By the end they were running on empty, and ex-Xerez man Camunñas made them pay by slotting in with seven minutes left. They're going down.
Espanyol 1 - 1 Mallorca
(1-0) 49' Osvaldo, (1-1) 80' Borja Valero
Sporting Gijon 0 - 1 Racing Santander
(0-1) 44' Geijo