Real beat Atletico, keep pressure on league leaders Barcelona

Real Madrid have defeated derby rivals Atletico Madrid 3-2, keeping up the pressure on Liga leaders Barcelona, who beat Real Mallorca 4-2.

AFP - Real Madrid survived a late fight-back by Atletico Madrid to win 3-2 and keep the pressure on leaders Barcelona.

In an action packed derby clash at the Calderon, Kaka gave Real the lead after just five minutes although their were suspicions of a foul on Cleber Santana in the lead up.

Chances came and went for both sides but Real were more clinical with Marcelo doubling the advantage with an acute drive with his weaker right foot.

Still not fully fit, Sergio Aguero was left on the bench but was introduced after the break and after running through on goal was brought down by Sergio Ramos who was sent off.

However, Real went further ahead through Gonzalo Higuain after 73 minutes before Atletico launched an assault on the visitors defence which saw Diego Forlan and Aguero both score but much as they tried in the closing minutes they could not find the equaliser.

Real coach Manuel Pellegrini felt that final result did not reflect correctly the difference between the teams.

"In the first half Atletico hardly caused us any trouble and then we still had everything controlled until Ramos was sent off," he said.

"The players are getting used to a different way of playing. We have to improve because we lack consistency but I have a good feeling about the team." Atletico coach Quique Flores admitted that the result leaves the team in a precarious position in the league.

"The alarm bells are ringing for us but with fight and character we have to take on the next few games and start moving up the table.

"There is a lot to improve on but I am not disappointed with the players," he said.

Earlier youngster Pedro Rodriguez scored a brace as Barcelona beat Mallorca 4-2 at the Nou Camp.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola sent out a second string with Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Leo Messi and Dani Alves all missing but they still managed to beat a strong Mallorca side comfortably.

Although perhaps not as fluid as at their best, Barca dominated the game and went ahead through Pedro after a delightful back-heel from Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Jose Nunes leveled for Mallorca, heading home at the far post from a corner but Barca scored twice in the run-up to half time to leave the visitors with a mountain to climb.

Pedro struck again and then Thierry Henry scored his first goal after an injury plagued start to the season.

Mallorca were unable make any real inroads after the break and substitute Messi increased Barca's advantage from the penalty spot. There was still time at the death though for a consolation from Alhassane Keita. Afterwards Guardiola felt that while the team was not at its best, there is now more pressure on his players.

"It wasn't all bad. Last year nobody gave us any chance and each step that we made was met by surprise, but this year there is no room for surprises. It is not that easy but while we are doing well in the league and in Europe we can do better," he said.

Mallorca coach Gregorio Manzano was disappointed how his team caved-in during the five minutes before half time.

"They were just too much for us at that point, we did well up until the 40th minute and drawing 1-1 we caused them some problems," he said.

A battling performance by Deportivo la Coruna saw them keep up their push for a place in Europe with a 2-0 win away at Getafe despite being reduced to nine men.

Getafe had only lost once at home so far to Barcelona but they went behind after 14 minutes when Miguel Mista headed home a cross from full back Luis Felipe.

Deportivo remained solid following the loss of Riki Sanchez for two yellow cards and extended their lead after 58 minutes with Mista this time providing the assist for Luis Felipe.

The visitors then saw Sergio Gonzalez dismissed after receiving his second booking but they held on for the win.

Struggling Malaga picked up an important point against Tenerife who will consider they should have won the game. Despite Malaga being the better side, Tenerife stormed into a two-goal lead through Roman Martinez and Alejandro Alfaro.

Malaga hit back with Edinho Arnaldo pouncing on a rebound from the keeper, and the striker could have scored again before half time but his header came back off the crossbar.

With just 13 minutes remaining, though, Javi Lopez found the back of the net to earn Malaga reward for their efforts. On Sunday, Sevilla face the difficult task of taking on a rejuvenated Villarreal side although they are likely to have Frederic Kanoute and Adriano available after fitness scares.

Following a woeful start to the season under Ernesto Valverde, Villarreal have moved up the table with back-to-back wins in the league.

Valencia must recover their morale when they take on Zaragoza after letting a two-goal lead slip in the Europa League against Slavia Prague and returning to the Mestalla with only a draw.

Sporting Gijon meet Espanyol in what is expected to be a tightly fought match between two sides that have made surprisingly good starts to the season and are level on 13 points.

"Our intention is to go to Gijon and pick-up three points. We have done well so far away from home although Gijon are also in-form," said Espanyol striker Jose Callejon.

Racing Santander coach Juan Carlos Mandia has urged his players to calm down ahead of their match with Athletic Bilbao as the pressure is starting to rise following a poor start.

Second from bottom Xerez travel to Valladolid who sneaked an injury time equaliser against Espanyol last weekend.

Osasuna also scored in the final minutes against Barcelona to earn a draw in Pamplona and will look to continue their good run against Almeria. end
 

Date created : 2009-11-08