Valencia tightens grip on 3rd spot
Source: Agencies |
March 1, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
VALENCIA tightened its grip on third spot in La Liga and an automatic Champions League berth when new signing Jonas came off the bench to secure a 2-1 comeback victory at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Fourth-placed Villarreal twice came from behind to rescue a 2-2 draw at Racing Santander and Valencia's victory stretched its lead over its local rival to four points with 25 matches played.
Valencia has 51 points, 10 behind second-placed Real Madrid, which slipped seven behind leader Barcelona when it was held to a 0-0 draw at Deportivo Coruna on Saturday.
On Sunday, Bilbao looked set to end a run of two straight defeats when Spain striker Fernando Llorente put the home side ahead in the 14th minute. However, Llorente's international teammate Juan Mata levelled in the 71st after good work from winger Joaquin before Brazilian Jonas pounced on the rebound from a Tino Costa shot to grab the winner with 10 minutes play left.
Villarreal, with its distinctive canary-yellow strip, had earlier failed to build on its Europa League victory over Serie A side Napoli.
Juan Carlos Garrido's side has not won in its last four league games, losing twice and drawing 1-1 at home to bottom club Malaga.
Racing, meanwhile, is undefeated since Indian businessman Ahsan Ali Syed completed his takeover of the club at the end of January and stayed in 12th on 29 points, five clear of the relegation places. It took the lead in the third minute when burly forward Ariel tapped in from close range, sparking wild celebrations from Ali Syed in the stands.
Fourth-placed Villarreal twice came from behind to rescue a 2-2 draw at Racing Santander and Valencia's victory stretched its lead over its local rival to four points with 25 matches played.
Valencia has 51 points, 10 behind second-placed Real Madrid, which slipped seven behind leader Barcelona when it was held to a 0-0 draw at Deportivo Coruna on Saturday.
On Sunday, Bilbao looked set to end a run of two straight defeats when Spain striker Fernando Llorente put the home side ahead in the 14th minute. However, Llorente's international teammate Juan Mata levelled in the 71st after good work from winger Joaquin before Brazilian Jonas pounced on the rebound from a Tino Costa shot to grab the winner with 10 minutes play left.
Villarreal, with its distinctive canary-yellow strip, had earlier failed to build on its Europa League victory over Serie A side Napoli.
Juan Carlos Garrido's side has not won in its last four league games, losing twice and drawing 1-1 at home to bottom club Malaga.
Racing, meanwhile, is undefeated since Indian businessman Ahsan Ali Syed completed his takeover of the club at the end of January and stayed in 12th on 29 points, five clear of the relegation places. It took the lead in the third minute when burly forward Ariel tapped in from close range, sparking wild celebrations from Ali Syed in the stands.
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