Málaga 1 - 1 Deportivo La Coruña
Almería 2 - 1 Numancia
Valencia 2 - 2 Barcelona
Getafe 1 - 2 Villarreal
Recreativo Huelva 2 - 4 Mallorca
Real Valladolid 0 - 0 Osasuna
Athletic Bilbao 2 - 1 Racing Santander
Espanyol 2 - 0 Real Betis
Sevilla 2 - 4 Real Madrid
Atlético Madrid 3 - 1 Sporting Gijón
With Barcelona's attentions now switching to the Champions League, this weekend could be the moment when Real Madrid shifted the momentum of this title race. For weeks, months even, Barcelona have looked unstoppable yet the blaugrauna's draw in Valencia and Real Madrid's topsy-turvy victory at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan have meant the gap at the top is now 4 points. Barcelona face the prospect of a European semi-final followed by an El Clasico at the Bernabau. Believe me when I say this race is not over.
Barcelona took the lead at the Mestalla inside half an hour, the ever-industrious Andres Iniesta setting up Lionel Messi for his 21st of the season. However, two goals in two minutes from Pablo Hernandes and Hedwiges Maduro turned the match on its head, and only a late rally from Barca, resulting in a Thierry Henry equaliser, spared their blushes. Real Madrid, meanwhile, went behind early on after Renato's close range header rewarded early Sevilla dominance. Raul equalised before half time and the second half was all Madrid - The record breaking marksman added two more after the break before being substituted, Diego Capel pulling one back for the hosts before Marcelo settled matters at the death. Sevilla have now lost 4 straight matches and their once vice-like grip on 3rd place looks in increasing jeopardy.
Villarreal picked up a second consecutive win after a 2-1 win over Getafe. The Yellow Submarine took a 2-0 lead through goals from Joan Capdevilla and Joseba Llorente, before Manu Moral pulled a consolation goal for Getafe. Los Azulones are on shaky ground, just a point ahead of Sporting Gijon and the bottom three. Sporting's plight worsened on the final game of the weekend as they were beaten 3-1 by Atletico Madrid, who took an early lead through a defletced Diego Forlan strike before Simao doubled the lead before half time. Mate Billic looked to have got Sporting back in the match only for Kun Aguero to settle things before Simao, who is something of a hothead, contrived to get himself sent off, which won't have pleased the under-fire Abel Resino.
Malaga remain in seventh, a point ahead of their opponents on Saturday, Deportivo after a 1-1 draw in Andalucia. Sergio's superb header from Andres Guardado's cross levelled for Lotina's men after Albert Luque had put the hosts in front. Malaga are unbeaten in four and a point behind Atletico. At the other end of the table, Espanyol's resurgence continues, they have now won their last 3 matches after a 2-0 win against hapless Real Betis. Luis Garcia and Roman Martinez supplied the goals as fans at the Montjuic begin the believe that their new stadium will see La Liga football next season. Numancia remain 8 adrift after losing at Almeria, while Recreativo slumped to their fifth successive defeat, at the hands of Mallorca whose excellent 2009 has all but assured them safety. The brilliant Juan Arango was at the heart of things here, scoring one and creating another in a 4-2 win. Valladolid and Osasuna could only draw, while Racing's inconsistency continues as they lost in Bilbao through goals from Fernando Llorente and David Lopez.
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