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Sociedad snatches Spanish top slot from Madrid
Malaga, May 26: Real Sociedad reclaimed top spot in the Spanish first division from Real Madrid after a 2-0 victory over 10-man Malaga in a tense encounter at the Rosaleda stadium on Sunday (May 25).
Malaga, May 26: Real Sociedad reclaimed top spot in the Spanish first division from Real Madrid after a 2-0 victory over 10-man Malaga in a tense encounter at the Rosaleda stadium on Sunday (May 25).
The win means the Basque side have re-established their one point advantage over Real, who had taken over at the top on Saturday (May 24) when a classy Ronaldo double gave them a 2-1 win over Valencia.
With just three games left, Sociedad lead the table on 72 points, one ahead of Real and six ahead of Deportivo Coruna, who look to have waved goodbye to their title chances following their 3-0 defeat at Galician rivals Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Sociedad lacked their usual fluency and composure as they took on a highly motivated Malaga on Sunday, knowing that only a win would allow them to return to the top.
They had the better of the possession, but were unable to make inroads against the well-organised Malaga defence, who appeared determined to make amends after last week's 5-1 thrashing at Real Madrid.
But Sociedad were given their chance when Malaga were reduced to 10 men with half an hour left. Midfielder Fumero Sandro was dismissed after arguing with the referee over a yellow card.
The Basque team made their numerical advantage pay 15 minutes later when midfielder Igor Gabilondo netted with a powerful header after defender Aitor Lopez Rekarte had unpicked the Malaga defence with a tricky run and cross from the right.
Serbian striker Darko Kovacevic made sure of the victory two minutes from time when he latched on to a superb through ball from defender Bjorn Tore Kvarme, dribbled his way past one defender and finished off with a delicate chip over 'keeper Pedro Contreras to score his 19th goal of the season.
Results of Spanish first division soccer matches played on Sunday: Espanyol 3 Alaves 1 Malaga 0 Real Sociedad 2 Real Betis 2 Valladolid 2 Real Mallorca 1 Sevilla 3 Recreativo Huelva 1 Barcelona 3
Played Saturday: Athletic Bilbao 2 Racing Santander 1 Atletico Madrid 3 Villarreal 2 Celta Vigo 3 Deportivo Coruna 0 Rayo Vallecano 0 Osasuna 0 Valencia 1 Real Madrid 2
P W D L F A Pts 1. Real Sociedad 35 21 9 5 65 41 72 2. Real Madrid 35 20 11 4 78 40 71 3. Deportivo Coruna 35 20 6 9 60 41 66 4. Celta Vigo 35 16 9 10 41 31 57 5. Valencia 35 16 8 11 51 31 56 6. Athletic Bilbao 35 14 9 12 58 55 51 7. Atletico Madrid 35 12 11 12 49 46 47 8. Sevilla 35 12 11 12 35 33 47 9. Barcelona 35 12 11 12 56 45 47 10. Real Mallorca 35 13 8 14 46 54 47 11. Real Betis 35 11 12 12 47 50 45 12. Malaga 35 10 13 12 40 44 43 13. Villarreal 35 11 10 14 40 46 43 14. Espanyol 35 10 12 13 43 45 42 15. Valladolid 35 11 9 15 34 37 42 16. Racing Santander 35 12 5 18 45 55 41 17. Osasuna 35 9 11 15 31 44 38 18. Alaves 35 8 10 17 35 62 34 19. Recreativo Huelva 35 8 10 17 34 59 34 20. Rayo Vallecano 35 7 9 19 30 59 30 Note: teams on same points are ranked according to head-to-head results and then goal difference.
Bureau Report
But Sociedad were given their chance when Malaga were reduced to 10 men with half an hour left. Midfielder Fumero Sandro was dismissed after arguing with the referee over a yellow card.
The Basque team made their numerical advantage pay 15 minutes later when midfielder Igor Gabilondo netted with a powerful header after defender Aitor Lopez Rekarte had unpicked the Malaga defence with a tricky run and cross from the right.
Serbian striker Darko Kovacevic made sure of the victory two minutes from time when he latched on to a superb through ball from defender Bjorn Tore Kvarme, dribbled his way past one defender and finished off with a delicate chip over 'keeper Pedro Contreras to score his 19th goal of the season.
Results of Spanish first division soccer matches played on Sunday: Espanyol 3 Alaves 1 Malaga 0 Real Sociedad 2 Real Betis 2 Valladolid 2 Real Mallorca 1 Sevilla 3 Recreativo Huelva 1 Barcelona 3
Played Saturday: Athletic Bilbao 2 Racing Santander 1 Atletico Madrid 3 Villarreal 2 Celta Vigo 3 Deportivo Coruna 0 Rayo Vallecano 0 Osasuna 0 Valencia 1 Real Madrid 2
P W D L F A Pts 1. Real Sociedad 35 21 9 5 65 41 72 2. Real Madrid 35 20 11 4 78 40 71 3. Deportivo Coruna 35 20 6 9 60 41 66 4. Celta Vigo 35 16 9 10 41 31 57 5. Valencia 35 16 8 11 51 31 56 6. Athletic Bilbao 35 14 9 12 58 55 51 7. Atletico Madrid 35 12 11 12 49 46 47 8. Sevilla 35 12 11 12 35 33 47 9. Barcelona 35 12 11 12 56 45 47 10. Real Mallorca 35 13 8 14 46 54 47 11. Real Betis 35 11 12 12 47 50 45 12. Malaga 35 10 13 12 40 44 43 13. Villarreal 35 11 10 14 40 46 43 14. Espanyol 35 10 12 13 43 45 42 15. Valladolid 35 11 9 15 34 37 42 16. Racing Santander 35 12 5 18 45 55 41 17. Osasuna 35 9 11 15 31 44 38 18. Alaves 35 8 10 17 35 62 34 19. Recreativo Huelva 35 8 10 17 34 59 34 20. Rayo Vallecano 35 7 9 19 30 59 30 Note: teams on same points are ranked according to head-to-head results and then goal difference.
Bureau Report