FCBARCELONA.CAT

23.02.2010 10:24

Spanish League Roundup Week 23

John Chaplin

Sevilla set aside their Cup concerns and inflicted the first home defeat of the season on Mallorca. Meanwhile, on Monday evening, Valencia beat Getafe 2-1 to retain third place. In the bottom three, only Valladolid managed a point.

Real Madrid produced the biggest win of the weekend with a 6-2 demolition of Villarreal, including two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Meanwhile, two goals from David Villa handed Valencia a 2-1 win over Getafe in the last match of week 23 on Monday evening. Valencia hang on to third place, four points ahead of Sevilla and ten points behind Real Madrid.

Mallorca lose unbeaten record

In the game between Mallorca and Sevilla, two of the teams competing for the fourth Champions League place, an early goal put Mallorca in charge before Sevilla hit back with three goals to take the three points and maintain a four –point lead over fifth placed Deportivo. It was Mallorca’s first home defeat of the season and they slip down into sixth place just one point ahead of Athletic Club Bilbao.

Deportivo were 2-0 up at home against bottom club Jerez after just six minutes but then struggled to eventually secure a 2-1 win. They move ahead of Mallorca into fifth place but will be looking nervously over their shoulders at in-form Bilbao.

Athletic Club Bilbao put aside their controversial European appearance against Anderlecht to dismiss Tenerife 4-1 in San Mamés. They move to within one point of a European finish.

No joy for bottom three

Osasuna and Valladolid drew 1-1 in Pamplona, a result that leaves Osasuna in mid-table respectability but keeps Valladolid in the relegation zone, one point short of safety. However, with Jerez and Tenerife both losing, Valladolid was the only team of the bottom three to pick up a point.

Despite their investment in the winter transfer window, Zaragoza continue to struggle near the foot of the table. This weekend they were beaten 1-3 at home by Sporting and hover just above the drop zone a point clear of Valladolid.

Meanwhile, Malaga continue their steady climb to safety with a 2-1 win over Espanyol, who they overtake in the table. Just behind them on goal average, Atletico Madrid slumped to a 1-0 defeat away to Almeria.