Sevilla win the Andalucian derby
A much-changed BARCELONA moved a step closer to winning the league title after picking up a point in a 0-0 draw at bottom club HUESCA. Barca boss Ernesto Valverde opted to make 10 changes to the team that beat Manchester United 1-0 in the Champions League last week, and it showed as La Blaugrana were far from at their fluent best. Ousmane Dembele had Barcelona’s best chance in the first half but saw his shot saved by Roberto Santamaría, while Malcom hit the post in the second period in what was an otherwise disappointing 90 minutes.
SEVILLA ran out 3-2 winners over cross-city rivals REAL BETIS in a thrilling derby at the Sánchez Pizjuán. Munir El Haddadi put Sevilla ahead midway through the first half when he turned in a Pablo Sarabia cross, and the lead last until 10 minutes into the second period as Giovani Lo Celso struck a powerful effort past Tomas Vaclik. However, the hosts were back in front just four minutes later through Sarabia, and made it 3-1 shortly afterwards courtesy of a longrange Franco Vázquez effort. A Cristian Tello free-kick eight minutes from time made it a nervy ending for Los Rojiblancos, but they held on to secure their first derby victory in over two years.
REAL MADRID had Karim Benzema to thank for salvaging a point in a 1-1 draw at neighbours LEGANÉS. Los Blancos were far from convincing early on and spent long spells pinned inside their own half, yet despite Leganés failing to register a shot on target they took the lead seconds before half-time, Martin Braithwaite teeing up Jonathan Silva to find the corner of the net. Even so, Zinedine Zidane’s men restored parity six minutes after the restart, Luka Modric picking out Benzema to poke home after his initial shot had been saved. Despite pushing for the winner, Leganés found Madrid stopper Keylor Navas in inspired form, whilst at the other end Benzema went close late on when he crashed an angled drive just wide as Real were made to settle for a point
ATLÉTICO MADRID showed they will keep on fighting for points until the end of the season with a 2-0 home win over relegation-threatened CELTA VIGO. The visitors created the better chances in the opening exchanges but it was Atleti who went in at the break ahead, Antoine Griezmann expertly finding the far corner from a free-kick. And the points were sealed in the 74th minute as substitute Álvaro Morata blasted home after rounding the goalkeeper, having been played in by Griezmann.
VALENCIA strengthened their hold on sixth spot with a 3-1 derby success over LEVANTE at Mestalla. Santi Mina netted inside the opening two minutes for Los Che, although Levante were back on level terms on 56 minutes as Carlos Soler put through his own goal. Nonetheless, Marcelino’s men were back in front almost straight away as Goncalo Guedes restored the lead. Valencia wrapped things up in the 63rd minute with Mina once again on the scoresheet after taking advantage of a rebound inside the area.
ESPANYOL’s outside hopes of a European spot improved with a 2-1 win over ALAVÉS at the RCDE Stadium. A first senior goal for defender Adria Pedrosa got them on their way on 19 minutes and a Victor Laguardia own goal doubled the advantage immediately after half-time. Alavés found themselves back in the contest in the 56th minute with a Jonathan Calleri goal which was allowed to stand after a lengthy VAR review, yet they were unable to find an equaliser for the remainder of the match and have now gone four games without a win.
Struggling VILLARREAL’s hopes of avoiding the drop were boosted as they beat GIRONA 1-0 in a crucial encounter at the Estadi Montilivi. The only goal of the game arrived as early as the seventh minute, Pablo Fornals playing a ball behind the Girona defence for Samu Chukwueze to steer a left-foot shot into the bottom corner. The Catalans thought they had equalised 10 minutes later when Cristhian Stuani tapped into an empty net, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR as Patrick Roberts was adjudged offside in the build-up.
ATHLETIC BILBAO still have European aspirations after a 3-2 defeat of 10man RAYO VALLECANO at San Mamés. A Jordi Amat own goal gave the Basques the lead after only two minutes, yet the visitors drew level on the stroke of halftime through Alex Moreno after Raúl García had missed a penalty for the home side. Iñaki Williams restored Athletic’s lead five minutes later, cutting into the area and firing home, before Rayo had Luis Advíncula dismissed for a second yellow card. Midfielder García made it 3-1 with a shot goalkeeper Iago Herrerín should have done better with, but the Madrid outfit reduced the arrears with five minutes remaining when Raúl de Tomás got on the end of an Adri Embarba cross. Nonetheless, they were unable to force an equaliser and remain three points from safety.
EIBAR earned a point with a 1-1 draw against REAL SOCIEDAD in the Basque derby at Anoeta. A first minute strike from Juanmi had given La Real the lead but they were unable to capitalise on it and were finally undone five minutes from time as Joan Jordán struck a superb free-kick past Gerónimo Rulli, handing Eibar a well-deserved share of the spoils.
High-flying GETAFE were saved by a controversial penalty awarded by VAR in stoppage time as they emerged with a 2-2 draw against REAL VALLADOLID at the Estadio José Zorrilla.
Getafe took a 14th minute lead through midfielder Mauro Arambarri, but Sergio Guardiola levelled against his former club on the half-hour mark. Eres Unal made it 2-1 to Getafe on 69 minutes, yet Valladolid found an equaliser with the last kick of the game after Jorgé Molina stepped up to earn them a point from the penalty spot in debatable circumstances.