Osasuna 0 - 0 Real MadridThis was Real Madrids chance to put a marker down for 2010 and take advantage of Barcelonas 'shock' draw against Villarreal. The press had placed much emphasis on Madrids chance to go top, as if it could be a pivotal moment in the season. As it was, they found a stubborn Osasuna outfit who had as many chances to win the match as their illustrious visitors. The Reyno Navarro has been a happy hunting ground for the Bernabeu side in recent years, and was the scene of Real Madrids league triumph three years ago, but with Higuaín and Cristiano Ronaldo not enjoying their finest hour and the Osasuna defence utterly resolute, a 0-0 draw was probably a fair result. So it's as you were at the top of La Liga, with two points separating the leaders from Real. Will Madrid live to regret their failure to put Barca under a bit of early pressure?
Zaragoza 0 - 0 Deportivo La Coruña
Neither team will be happy with a point which leaves Real Zaragoza in the relegation zone and Deportivo La Coruña unable to take advantage of Sevillas slip yesterday night. Both teams created numerous goalscoring opportunities, but neither managed to turn any of them into goals as both attacks left much to be desired infront of goal. Jermaine Pennant was given a vote of confidence from new manager Jose Aurelio Gay as he started and finished the match and Lafita impressed against his former club with both players missing gilt-edged chances, whilst defender Lopo got as close as anyone to opening the scoring for Depor.
Almería 1 - 0 Xerez
(1-0) 89' Ortiz
Nothing changes for La Ligas bottom club as they lost away and failed to score yet again. Xerez were unlucky not to snatch a point away at a nervy Almería side who saw their new manager Juanma Lillo take charge of his first match. And Xerez could even have gone infront with ten minutes remaining when Momo was felled in the area, but nine minutes later supersub Jose Ortiz latched onto a clearance to drive in from outside of the box and give Almería a much needed win and three valuable points. At this rate Xerez are on a one-way road to the second division.
Sporting Gijón 2 - 2 Málaga
(0-1) 9' Duda, (1-1) 47' Gregory, (1-2) 60' Weligton, (2-2) 69' Canella
In the highest scoring match so far in this weekends La Liga programme, Sporting and Málaga shared the spoils as both goalkeepers provided a couple of festive bloopers with Munúas gaff for Sportings second, a true shocker. Portuguese striker Duda had a cracking match, with a well-taken goal and an assist for Weligtons opportunist strike. Sporting scored twice but their lack of firepower was evident as David Barral continues to disappoint as he fills in for the injured Bilic. Málaga remain in the bottom three whereas Sporting will be happy to float around mid-table as they await the return of their Croatian hitman.
Mallorca 2 - 0 Athletic Bilbao
(1-0) 49' Julio Álvarez, (2-0) 67' Aduriz
Mallorcas season just gets better and better as this win puts them in the Champions League positions. Todays victims in Fortress Ono Estadi were the unfortunate souls of Athletic Bilbao, who were desparately unlucky as two deflections contributed to both of Mallorcas goals. As ever, the home defence was as solid as a rock, and Borja Valero controlled proceedings from the centre of the park, and provided the defence splitting pass which led to Aduriz chipping over Iraizoz. Even the introduction of Iker Muniain and De Marcos failed to spark Bilbao into action. Everyone is waiting for Gregorio Manzanos men to trip up, but their golden run continues.
Racing Santander 2 - 0 Tenerife
(1-0) 71' Colsa, (2-0) 74' Xisco
The first half of this match was possibly the most boring ever in La Liga history, but things livened up in the second half for the Sardinero crowd as Racing Santander took a massive step towards survival with a win against a direct rival for relegation, Tenerife. A lot of credit must go to manager Miguel Angel Portugal as he spiced things up with three second-half substitutes, with one of them, Xisco, killing the game as a contest with the second strike. Tenerife lost the match in a matter of three minutes, and add another away defeat to a run of results that will surely see them ending up relegated unless they invest in a proven goalscorer.
Getafe 1 - 0 Real Valladolid
(1-0) 83' Casquero
In much the same manner as Mallorca, Getafe maintain their unexpected push for the European positions with a late victory against Real Valladolid. Míchels reputation is on the rise (I'd place a little wager on him being the next Real Madrid manager) as his midfield Maestro Casquero side-footed in a spectacular goal with minutes remaining. Valladolid can feel sorry for themselves as they didnt deserve to lose, but without Manucho and Diego Costa they were always going to find it difficult to find a way past Codina who is fast adding himself to the long list of outstanding Spanish goalkeepers. Perhaps another one Real Madrid let go of too easily.
