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Real Madrid sneak past Getafe
February 4, 2012
Leaders Real Madrid did just enough 2 earn a 6th consecutive Primera Liga win, as defender Sergio Ramos returned fr injury 2 secure a 1-0 victory @ city rivals Getafe.
Ramos celebrated his match-winining return @ the Coliseum Alfonso Perez aft 18 mins, muscling in 2 head home a Mesut Ozil corner fr 6 yards.
While Madrid failed 2 add 2 the veteran defender's goal they were rarely threatened & were not made 2 pay 4 the 2nd-half profligacy of Karim Benzema. Getafe, unbeaten in 6 league games b4 the match, offered little as an attacking force,
Lionel Messi scored 1 goal & set up another as Barcelona stayed 7 points behind Real Madrid with a 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad @ the Nou Camp - but Pep Guardiola's men were made 2 work hard 4 their triumph.
Messi's fine pass led 2 youngster Cristian Tello opening the scoring early on & the Argentina international doubled his side's lead in the 72nd minute with his 23rd league goal of the campaign.
However, Sociedad, who had caused Barcelona several problems @ the back during the match, pulled a goal back immediately thru substitute Carlos Vela 2 leave the home side facing a nervy finale.
Barcelona held on 4 the win though 2 ensure tat Madrid, who beat Getafe earlier in the evening, would not edge any further ahead in the title fight.
Juan Albin scored a stoppage-time equaliser as Espanyol rescued a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Athletic Bilbao @ San Mames.
Athletic had dominated the early stages & deservedly took the lead when Oscar de Marcos battled his way thru the Espanyol defence 2 fire under Kiko Casilla.
The lead lasted only 7 mins though as Ndri Romaric curled in fr outside the area b4 Espanyol went in front just aft half-time thanks 2 a wonder strike fr Vladimir Weiss.
Athletic's threat fr set-pieces turned the game around again as Fernando Llorente headed in Markel Susaeta's free-kick b4 Javi Marquez nodded home 7 mins later 2 put the hosts 3-2 ahead.
However, the drama did not end there as Albin latched onto Kalu Uche's thru-ball in the 93rd minute 2 power a ferocious shot past Gorka Iraizoz & maintain Espanyol's 2-point advantage over Athletic in the race 4 a Champions League place.
Levante's hopes of catching city rivals Valencia in 3rd place suffered another setback as they were held 2 a 1-1 draw @ home by struggling Racing Santander.
Arouna Kone put the hosts in front midway thru the 1st half with a close-range header, but they wasted further chances 2 extend their lead, & relegation-threatened Racing drew level thru Manuel Arana's leveller on the hour mark.
Chori Castro scored the only goal of the game as 9-man Real Mallorca held on 2 beat Real Betis 1-0.
Tomer Hemed & Michael Pereira were denied by Betis keeper Espinosa Casto early on b4 Castro curled in a wonderful free-kick on 23 mins. Victor Casadesus came within inches of extending the lead b4 referee Carlos Velasco Carballo took centre stage in the 2nd period by brandishing 3 red cards.
Mario was 1st 2 go 4 the visitors b4 Mallorca duo Ivan Ramis & Victor followed suit for 2 bookable offences, but even with the extra man 4 the final few minutes Betis rarely threatened 2 find an equaliser.