Real Madrid ensured that Atletico Madrid's shocking derby record would carry on into 2011 as two early goals from Ricardo Carvalho and Mesut Ozil sentenced Quique Sanchez Flores's team to yet another defeat at the hands of their eternal rivals. Just like they had done in Milan, Jose Mourinhos men burst out of the blocks with Atletico struggling to get a foothold in the game. And the 'Rojiblancos' were made to pay for their slow start as centre-back Carvalho popped up out of nowhere to waltz through a static defence and slot past birthday boy David De Gea.
Atletico were rocking, and they were still coming to terms with going behind when Mesut Ozil scored the second. Real Madrid won a free-kick out wide on the right, with Ozil curling a delicious cross-come-shot that left De Gea rooted to the spot. At that point it appeared as if Atleti were going to be handed a thrashing, but instead of pushing for the killer third, Real Madrid began to sit back on their lead which allowed Atletico a route back into the match.
Thiago started to see plenty of the ball in the middle, although with Sergio Agüero cutting an isolated figure upfront and Diego Forlan struggling to impose himself on the match, Carvalho and Pepe were never put under any sustained pressure. One moment of controversy to come out of the first half was a possible penalty decision on Xabi Alonso after he blocked a Reyes shot with his hand, the referee deeming the action as ball to hand, much to the desperation of the Atleti players.
The second half followed a similar pattern with both teams creating scoring opportunities, Gonzalo Higuain and Diego Forlan both striking the post with a glorious volleys and Iker Casillas thwarting Agüero in a one-on-one, but there were to be no more goals. Man-of-the-match Ricardo Carvalho left the field early courtesy of a nasty-looking eye injury after he was elbowed by substitute Diego Costa, but that would end up being the only blot on yet another derby day victory for Real Madrid.
Barcelona never looked in any danger of falling to a shock defeat in Getafe as they recovered their best form to run out easy 1-3 winners, keeping them in touch with leaders Real Madrid. Lionel Messi was at his sublime best as he and David Villa tore through a helpless Getafe defence to score two superb goals which put Barca out of reach after only 30 minutes. For long periods, the Getafe players were chasing shadows, as Barcelona lit up the Coliseum with some stunning one-touch football that brought back memories of the sextruplet winning team of 2008/2009.
Messi could easily have had three or four on another day, but he found Getafe keeper Jordi Codina in inspired form. Yet the keeper was badly at fault for Barca's third, playing a poor pass out to defender Cata Diaz which lead to the defender conceding possession on the edge of his box, and then failing to block Pedro's run on goal, leaving the Barca man with a simple tap in. Getafe were handed a lifeline on 70 minutes when Pique was sent off for handling in the box, Manu reducing the deficit from the spot. Then Getafe received a red card of their own, Derek Boateng seeing a second yellow, and with him went Getafes hopes of rescuing anything from the match.
Villarreal fell behind to an early Fernando Llorente goal, but the 'Yellow Submarine' were ultimately too much for Athletic Bilbao from then on, creating countless chances and scoring four. At times it was incessant pressure from Villarreal, Borja Valero controlling proceedings in midfield and Guiseppe Rossi a constant menace in attack. Nilmar levelled the match on 39 minutes, and a shocking error from Bilbao keeper Gorka Iraizoz let the home side take a half-time lead, as his dreadful clearance fell straight at the feet of Santi Cazorla, who made no mistake with a first-time shot.
The second half saw Villarreal at their vibrant best, carving through Athletic Bilbao at will. Guiseppe Rossi had been guilty of some poor finishing throughout the match, but he made no mistake with only five minutes left to make the points safe. Substitute Jefferson Montero then gave the scoreline a more realistic look with a fourth in the dying seconds of the match.
In the weekends other matches, Espanyol maintained their fantastic start to the season with a 35 yard scorcher from Javi Marquez after only a minute enough for a victory over Malaga which leaves 'Los Pericos' in the Champions League spots and Malaga rooted to the bottom of La Liga. Manuel Pellegrini has a hell of a job on his hands at La Rosaleda. Real Zaragoza relieved some of the pressure on manager Jose Aurelio Gay, but they had to come from behind twice to eventually overcome Mallorca with a last minute penalty from Gabi. Real Sociedad had Joseba Llorente to thank as the striker scored the only goal of their match against Racing Santander, a win that places the Basque club in the European positions.
Osasuna finally found their shooting boots for the visit of Hercules, Monreal, Lolo and Vadocz getting the goals to give the home team a 3-0 win which lifts them into mid-table. Deportivo La Coruña finally put to bed their disastrous away form which had seen them fail to win away from El Riazor for over a year. Riki and Aythami got the goals which consigned Levante to a 1-2 defeat which keeps the newly promoted side in the relegation zone. Finally, Sporting Gijon and Almeria had to settle for a point apiece, Nacho Novo notching a late equaliser to cancel out Almerias opener from Miguel Corona. It was just reward for an improved second half showing by Sporting after Almeria had dominated the first 45 minutes.
