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This year, "Sevilla", aspiring to the highest positions, does not slow down and again returned to the top of the Spanish championship tournament table. On Sunday, in the 15th round of "La Liga" matches in Huelva, they defeated the local "Recreativo" occupying the 8th place with a score of 3-1, surpassing "Barcelona" by one point with one less game played.
The gap of just one point from the European champions was reduced by Madrid's "Real", who hardly defeated the recently excellent against leaders Barcelona "Espanyol" team as guests.
Although "Real" did not seem much superior to their opponents throughout the match, they managed to secure the first victory at the "Montjuic" stadium in the past three years, thanks to the only goal by Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The Dutchman outwitted the defender and sent the ball to the bottom corner of the goal. Although in a very doubtful situation after four minutes, the referee decided that Fabio Cannavaro had touched the ball with his hand and sent him off the field, Madrid's "Real" managed to resist and take three points from Barcelona.
Finally, this season, San Sebastian's "Real Sociedad" won their first victory. Although the Basque club was playing the role of the underdogs for most of the match, they showed character and won three points.
"Barcelona" traveled to Japan, where today they lost 0-1 to Brazil's "Internacional" in the Club World Cup final, and "Sevilla" rose to first place confidently defeating Huelva's "Recreativo" as guests.
Although the visitors took the lead after a controversial penalty kick, which Antonio Puerta earned for them, and Brazilian forward Luis Fabiano converted, "Sevilla" was the better team. "Recreativo" managed to equalize after defender Jesus Vazquez's header, but that's all the hosts were able to do.
In the first half, showing excellent form, the Mali national team forward Frederic Kanoute scored his 12th goal of the season, and at the start of the second half, defender Jesus Navas scored the third goal. Although defender Aitor Ocio was sent off the field in the middle of the second half, "Sevilla" managed to maintain a favorable result.
Continuing to pave his way against opponents with good form, Pamplona's "Osasuna" won away 4-1 against crisis-stricken "Villarreal" club, securing their fourth consecutive victory.
The visitors took the lead after Cameroon national team forward Pierre Webo's header, later the goal was scored by Iran national team defender Javad Nekounam, and goalkeeper David Lopez successfully converted an 11-meter penalty kick, making the result overwhelming.
Although Cani somewhat softened the result in the middle of the second half, defender Juanfran restored the three-goal margin shortly after.
In the last weekend matches, Madrid's "Atletico" celebrated victory, winning the small Madrid derby against "Getafe". The only goal in the middle of the first half was scored by Portugal national team forward Maniche, with Fernando Torres redirecting the ball into the goal with his head. This victory allowed "Atletico" to climb to fourth place in the tournament table.
Statistics
Valencia's "Levante" 1 - 1 Vigo "Celta" 1` [0 - 1] Fernando Baiano 51` [1 - 1] Alvaro
Barcelona's "Espanyol" 0 - 1 Madrid's "Real" 50` [0 - 1] Ruud van Nistelrooy
54` Fabio Cannavaro sent off the field ("Real")
San Sebastian's "Real Sociedad" 3 - 2 Tarragona's "Gimnastic" 18` [0 - 1] Miguel Angel Llera 48` [1 - 1] Mingo (own goal) 50` [1 - 2] Ruben Castro 54` [2 - 2] Juanito 60` [3 - 2] Diego Rivas
Huelva's "Recreativo" 1 - 3 "Sevilla" 11` [0 - 1] Luis Fabiano 19` [1 - 1] Jesus Vazquez 35` [1 - 2] Frederic Kanoute 53` [1 - 3] Jesus Navas
66` Aitor Ocio sent off the field ("Sevilla")
"Villarreal" 1 - 4 Pamplona's "Osasuna" 13` [0 - 1] Pierre Webo 43` [0 - 2] Javad Nekounam 56` [0 - 3] David Lopez (pen.) 61` [1 - 3] Cani 80` [1 - 4] Juanfran
Madrid's "Atletico" 1 - 0 Madrid's "Getafe" 24` [1 - 0] Maniche
Top scorers 1. Frederic Kanoute ("Sevilla") - 12 goals; 2-3. Ronaldinho ("Barcelona") - 11; 2-3. Diego Milito ("Zaragoza") - 11; 4. Ruud van Nistelrooy ("Real") - 9; 5. Fernando Baiano ("Celta") - 8; 6. David Villa ("Valencia") - 7; 7. Raul Tamudo ("Espanyol") - 6.
Tournament table
