Madrid, Nov 25 (IANS) Anyone expecting any surprises in the 14th round of matches in the Spanish BBVA Primera Liga was to be disappointed as the top three sides not only won, but won with ease on their return to action following the international break.
Although both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid had lost players through injury in the latest round of international games, they were against rivals who put up little more than token resistance, like guilty children who know the time has come for them to accept their punishment, Xinhua reported.
Without a host of stars, including Xavi Hernandez, Leo Messi and Victor Valdes, FC Barcelona enjoyed a tranquil afternoon as they defeated Granada 4-0 in a game.
Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabrigas both scored first half penalties to put Barca 2-0 up at the break, while Alexis’ eighth goal of the season and Pedro Rodriguez’s seventh sealed the victory.
Real Madrid cruised to a comfortable win away to Almeria Saturday night, despite Cristiano Ronaldo being forced out of the game due to injury.
Ronaldo had opened the scoring in what turned into a comfortable 5-0 win for Real Madrid, in the fourth minute of the game as he collected a cross and scored with a smart flick, but asked to be changed in the 51st minute of the game.
Karim Benzema made it 2-0 after 61 minutes and that opened the floodgates with Gareth Bale, Isco and Alvaro Morata rounding off the scoring.
After Barca and Real Madrid had scored nine goals between them Atletico Madrid did even better with a 7-0 thrashing of a hapless Getafe.
Raul Garcia and David Villa scored twice each with further goals netted by Adrian Lopez, Diego Costa, who needed an overhead kick, and an own goal.
Sunday saw Villarreal remain in fourth position with a 3-0 win away to Levante, who were reduced to 10 men after just 9 minutes after goalkeeper Kaylor Navas was shown a direct red card for committing a penalty.
Bruno Soriano scored the resulting penalty and Uche secured the win with two goals in the second half on a game where Levante never accepted defeat.
The pressure continues to mount on Valencia coach Miroslav Dukic after his side were beaten 2-1 away to recently promoted Elche.
Elche have a debut to B-team striker Cristian Herrera with 10 minutes remaining and the youngster repaid the faith shown in him with the winning goal 4 minutes later in a result which lifts Elche above Valencia in the league table.
Fidel had put Elche ahead 12 minutes after the break only for Juan Bernat to equalize after 73 minutes.
Betis remain rock bottom of the league after suffering a painful defeat in the Seville derby away to neighbors Sevilla.
Carlos Baca was quick off the mark to put Sevilla ahead after less than 2 minutes. Betis were reduced to 10 men after 41 minutes, two minutes before Stefane M’ Bia doubled Sevilla’s lead.
Vitolo added a third before the hour and Vicente Iborra sealed the win with two minutes left and leave Betis coach Pepe Mel on the verge of the sack.
Espanyol bounced back to form with a 4-1 win away to Rayo Vallecano thanks to a hat-trick from Sergio Gonzalez, who netted the first two from the penalty sport, although Espanyol’s task was made much easier by the sending off of Rayo keeper Ruben Martinez after just 25 minutes.
Real Sociedad’s Carlos Vela produced the performance of the weekend as he scored all four goals in his side’s thrilling 4-3 win against Celta Vigo.
Celta had been leading 3-1 thanks to two goals from Rafinho and a fine finish from Alex Lopez, but the Mexican’s display earned his side three points while leaving Celta struggling close to the bottom of the table.
Osasuna won 1-0 away to Valladolid on Friday night and the round of matches ends when Malaga entertain Athletic Club Bilbao Monday night.
–Indo-Asian News Serice
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