Real Zaragoza 1 - 1 Atlético Madrid(1-0) 5' Jarosik, (1-1) 92' Ibra
Real Zaragoza were left to rue their inability to sink ten men Atlético as they succumbed to a last gasp leveller from substitute Ibra. 'Los Maños' were hardly spectacular, but they had the better of the chances as Atlético Madrid failed to live up to the lofty expectation their recent form has created. Teixeira Vitienes delivered a refereeing performance of such inaptitute, with the faltering reputation of Spanish referees plunging to new depths as he perplexed everyone with some astonishingly poor decisions. Poor Jose Antonio Reyes the principle victim, as the inspired winger was kicked into the ground with Real Zaragoza employing some robust tactics to stem the Atlético tide. Jiri Jarosik had headed Zaragoza into an early lead, and when an utterly fed-up Reyes was sent off for flinging out a stray elbow which connected with Eliseu, the home team looked on course to collect a much-needed three points. That was until late substitute Ibra powered in a header in the dying seconds from Jurados cross, to rescue ten-men Atletico a point. Shame is, the match will be remembered for some inept refereeing which saw the man in black, so horribly out of his depth, show nine yellow cards.
(0-1) 5' Momo (p), (1-1) 40' Duda, (2-1) 55' Valdo, (2-2) 72' Momo, (2-3) 75' Gioda, (2-4) 94' Orellana
Finally! That first ever away win in La Liga that Xerez have been waiting for all season has arrived. And what a match it was, as they surprised Málaga in La Rosaleda. Xerez displayed the grit and determination that has made them everyones second favourite team (not least because you're almost guaranteed six points against them). Their first came courtesy of a refereeing decision that I'd like to see happen more often. Defenders simply cannot be allowed to grab chunks of shirt if and when they please. Today Ivan Gonzalez paid the ultimate price as his tug in the box allowed Momo to slot home his first from the spot. Talented Portuguese winger, Duda, brought Malaga level when he finished off a clinical counter, and when Valdo headed them infront, it looked like Xerez were en route to yet another away defeat. It got worse when Emilio Armenteros quite possibly beat some record when he lasted all of 30 seconds after coming on as a sub, after being sent straight back to the stands for elbowing Ivan Gonzalez, but to their eternal credit, La Ligas bottom club fought back in style. First Malaga were reduced to ten themselves as Duda handled a goalbound Sidi Keita shot. Munua saved Momos second penalty, but the winger made no mistake from the rebound. Leandro Gioda then slotted in from a corner before Chilean Fabian Orellana secured the three points with a classy chip in injury time. The Chapin Army still dream of the great escape.
Athletic Bilbao 2 - 0 Real Valladolid
Mallorca 3 - 0 Sporting Gijon
(1-0) 12' Julio Alvarez, (2-0) 75' Victor, (3-0) 89' Webo
Espanyol 0 - 0 Villarreal
How this match ended goalless is anyones guess. The first 15 minutes saw a whole host of chances and it couls so easily have been 3-3 at the break, but with Carlos Kameni and Diego Lopez on top of thair game, the ball just wouldn't go in. Lopez, inparticular, played a blinder and with the World Cup on the horizon, the Villarreal shotstopper will give Del Bosque a major headache as he chooses between him and Sevillas Andres Palop. The two teams proved today that a 0-0 draw really can be entertaining.
Osasuna 0 - 0 Getafe
Another no score draw, and whilst not quite as thrilling as that enjoyed at the Estadio Cornella, those at the Reyno Navarra enjoyed a match filled with attacking intent, but with little end product infront of goal. Ustari was the busier of the two keepers as Osasuna, with Camuñas and Juanfran at the forefront, peppered his goal with shots, but the Argentinian was equal to everything they threw at him. Michel let Getafe down, by resting two of his topguns, with Pedro Leon and Parejo starting the match on the bench. He was also late in sending on his troops as the match petered out. With relegation and Europe almost out of the question for both sides, neither will be particularly dismayed with two points dropped.