Join Now  | 
Home About Contact Us Privacy & Security Advertise
Soccer America Daily Special Edition Around The Net College Soccer Reporter Youth Soccer Reporter Soccer on TV Soccer America Classifieds
Paul Gardner: SoccerTalk MLS Confidential Youth Soccer Insider World Cup Watch
RSS Feeds Archives Manage Subscriptions Subscribe
Order Current Issue Subscribe Manage My Subscription Renew My Subscription Gift Subscription
My Account Join Now
Tournament Calendar Camps & Academies Soccer Glossary Classifieds
Suddenly it looks like a race in La Liga
by Paul Kennedy, February 23rd, 2009 7AM
Subscribe to Soccer America Daily


MOST READ


[SPAIN] Barcelona lost for the first time since opening day when city rival Espanyol beat 10-man Barca, 2-1, at the Camp Nou Stadium on Saturday on a pair of goals by former Barca midfielder Ivan de la Pena. Barca's lead over Real Madrid, which was 12 points a week ago, is down to seven.

Barcelona lost Seydou Keita to a red card for a late challenge in the 38th minute, and de la Pena made his former club pay with two goals -- the first one a header and the second on a lob -- four minutes apart in the second half.

The only goal Barca was muster was Yaya Toure's free kick in the 62nd minute. The win snapped Espanyol's 14-game winless streak and moved it out of last place.

"No one said this would be easy," Guardiola said. "But we are still in a good position and tomorrow we will pick ourselves up and we'll get everyone back on track."

Real Madrid beat Real Betis, 6-1. Dutchman Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Raul scored two goals apiece, while Gonzalo Higuain and Sergio Ramos also scored. All the goals came in the first half.

La Liga's surprise this season is Malaga, which moved into fifth place with a 3-1 away win at Real Valladolid on Sunday.


No comments yet.

Sign in to leave a comment. Don't have an account? Join Now


AUTHORS

ARCHIVES

Recent Soccer America Daily
Real Madrid and Barcelona head rich list    
[MONEY MATTERS] By a considerable margin, Real Madrid and Barcelona are soccer's biggest moneymakers. Real top ...
USA to host Brazil in World Cup qualifying tuneup    
[DATEBOOK] The U.S. national team will host five-time World Cup champion Brazil May 30 at FedExField ...
MLS preseason this week ...    
[SCOREBOARD] MLS exhibitions this weekend are highlighted by a rematch of the MLS Cup 2011 finalists, ...
CNN's soccer-basher suspended for homophobic tweet    
[MEDIA WATCH] Roland Martin is a dinosaur. He acknowledges he likes to take a swipe at ...
At least it made a nice photo op    
[WORLD VIEW] The photo in the Trinidad Express said it all: T&T international Anthony Wolfe stood ...
What They're Saying    
"To quit over the FA taking a stand that it was inappropriate for the England team ...
Colombian signing further proof Philly wants a different look    
[MLS SPOTLIGHT] Peter Nowak is regarded as among the more secretive of MLS head coaches, but ...
USA and Mexico to face off in U-23 tuneup    
[DATEBOOK] One of the most intriguing matchups of the winter will be the under-23 international between ...
Houston trades for Kandji    
[MLS TRANSACTIONS] The Houston Dynamo picked up Senegalese-born Macoumba Kandji from the Colorado Rapids in exchange ...
Altidore scores twice, Gyau debuts    
[AMERICAN ABROAD] Jozy Altidore scored two late goals -- his first goals in two months -- ...
>> Soccer America Daily Archives