Monday, 14 March 2011

Barcelona Slip Up at Sevilla


Barcelona's lead in La Liga was reduced to five points when they were held to a 1-1 draw in  Sevilla on Sunday night.

Pep Guardiola’s side looked to be cruising after substitute Bojan Krkic put Barca ahead in the 30th minute at the Sanchez Pizjuan. However, after Alvaro Negredo held off two defenders and crossed for Jesus Navas to nod in the equaliser four minutes after half-time the match burst into life, with both sides coming close to snatching a winner. 

Andres Iniesta crashed a shot off the crossbar with just under five minutes remaining and had a shot cleared off the line in added time after Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes had saved brilliantly from Jesus Navas.

Third-placed Valencia’s midweek exit from the Champions League appeared to have taken its toll as Unai Emery’s side slumped to a 4-0 defeat at struggling Real Zaragoza. Jiri Jarosik, Ander Herrera and two penalties from Gabi sank the visitors, who finished with 10 men, to leave them on 54 points, 16 short of Real.

Two goals from Sergio Aguero failed to earn Atletico Madrid a win at relegation-threatened Almeria, as the hosts twice fought back to level it 2-2. Aguero scored from a Thiago pass just before the break and fired in a solo goal to restore their lead in the 61st minute after Albert Crusat had levelled for Almeria with a fierce volley. Henok Goitom headed a deserved equaliser for the home side 13 minutes from time.

Real Madrid won at the Bernabeu by 2-0 after two goals from French striker Karim Benzema ended the visitors, Hercules, hopes of an upset and pushing Real's unbeaten home record to fourteen games.

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