Valencia stumbles to defeat at Espanyol
Source: Agencies |
April 16, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THIRD-PLACED Valencia missed a chance to open a five-point lead over chasing Malaga when the Europa League semifinalist crashed to a 0-4 reverse at Espanyol in La Liga yesterday.
Cristian Gomez put the home side ahead in the 26th minute at Cornella-El Prat stadium when he powered a Sergio Garcia center into the net.
Joan Verdu doubled the lead four minutes later with a superb strike from just outside the penalty area that arrowed into the top corner, Alvaro Vazquez added a 58th-minute third after a mix-up in the visitors' defense and Kalu Uche rolled in a fourth 10 minutes from time.
Ambitious Qatar-owned Malaga can climb above Valencia into third and an automatic Champions League qualification slot with a win at home to Real Sociedad later in the day.
Valencia, which plays its Europa League semifinal first leg at La Liga rival Atletico Madrid on Thursday, has 52 points from 33 of 38 matches, with Malaga on 50 in fourth and fifth-placed Levante on 48.
Barcelona-based Espanyol is eighth on 45 points, level with seventh-placed Sevilla, which plays at Getafe today.
Leader Real Madrid will have a four-point advantage over chasing Barcelona when they meet at the Nou Camp for the second 'Clasico' of the campaign next weekend after the arch rivals both won on Saturday.
Real, whose Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo broke his own Spanish record with his 41st goal of the campaign, came from a goal down to beat lowly Sporting Gijon 3-1 at the Bernabeu.
Two hours later Argentina's World Player of the Year Lionel Messi equalled Ronaldo's mark with both goals in Barcelona's 2-1 comeback win at Levante.
Real's victory also meant Jose Mourinho's side matched the club's Spanish record of 107 goals scored in a season set under Welsh coach John Toshack 22 years ago.
Real has 85 points, with Barcelona, chasing a fourth straight title, on 81.
Cristian Gomez put the home side ahead in the 26th minute at Cornella-El Prat stadium when he powered a Sergio Garcia center into the net.
Joan Verdu doubled the lead four minutes later with a superb strike from just outside the penalty area that arrowed into the top corner, Alvaro Vazquez added a 58th-minute third after a mix-up in the visitors' defense and Kalu Uche rolled in a fourth 10 minutes from time.
Ambitious Qatar-owned Malaga can climb above Valencia into third and an automatic Champions League qualification slot with a win at home to Real Sociedad later in the day.
Valencia, which plays its Europa League semifinal first leg at La Liga rival Atletico Madrid on Thursday, has 52 points from 33 of 38 matches, with Malaga on 50 in fourth and fifth-placed Levante on 48.
Barcelona-based Espanyol is eighth on 45 points, level with seventh-placed Sevilla, which plays at Getafe today.
Leader Real Madrid will have a four-point advantage over chasing Barcelona when they meet at the Nou Camp for the second 'Clasico' of the campaign next weekend after the arch rivals both won on Saturday.
Real, whose Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo broke his own Spanish record with his 41st goal of the campaign, came from a goal down to beat lowly Sporting Gijon 3-1 at the Bernabeu.
Two hours later Argentina's World Player of the Year Lionel Messi equalled Ronaldo's mark with both goals in Barcelona's 2-1 comeback win at Levante.
Real's victory also meant Jose Mourinho's side matched the club's Spanish record of 107 goals scored in a season set under Welsh coach John Toshack 22 years ago.
Real has 85 points, with Barcelona, chasing a fourth straight title, on 81.
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