There have been five matches in La Liga so far this weekend, with significant results for clubs at both the bottom and top of the Primera Division. Here is the Sunday morning round-up.
Athletic Bilbao 6-1 Almeria
Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic side continued their impressive campaign with a thumping victory over UD Almeria. Bilbao were three goals to the good within half an hour thanks to goals from Rico, Herrera and Laporte. Almeria pulled one back on 34 minutes through on loan midfielder Helder Barbosa but it was a brief respite. Aduriz and Ibai Gomez added further goals after the break before Gomez scored a late penalty to ensure a five goal winning margin. Bilbao rubber stamped their Champion’s League credentials in this match and it will be a battle to the end of the season between Athletic and Sociedad for the fourth spot.
Atletico Madrid 0-0 Barcelona
Atletico fans were happy at the result and the way that they contained Barcelona, but could they have achieved more? Read a full match report here: http://www.laligablog.com/2014/01/12/atletico-madrid-0-0-barcelona/
Celta Vigo 2-1 Valencia
Valencia are having an inconsistent season but will be disappointed to have lost this match. They were one nil up at half time and looking comfortable thanks to a goal from Daniel Parejo but two goals in the second half from Brazilian striker Charles ensured that the much needed points remained at the Estadio Balaidos.
Elche 1-1 Sevilla
Elche gained a valuable point in their battle for survival. The match seemed to be heading for a nil-nil stalemate but on the 82nd minute Elche struck first through Herrera. It looked like they had done enough to earn a win against their illustrious rivals but Carrico struck in the last minute to level and leave Elche hanging on grimly through injury time.
Granada 4-0 Real Valladolid
A four goal thrashing on Friday evening at the Los Carmenes stadium has left Valladolid deep in the relegation mire. Two goals by Recio were sandwiched by strikes from Murillo and Moroccan striker Youssef El-Arabi. It was a welcome win for Granada who had conceded six goals in their previous two games.
[…] La liga Blog’s unique Team of the Round is back, and in goal this round is Real Sociedad’s Chilean shot stopper Claudio Bravo after his clean sheet against a rampant Athletic Bilbao side. Bravo had a strong defensive wall in front of him but was equally up to the task whenever called upon to rescue his side. […]