Asim wrote:I don't want to like Maniche but the evidence suggests that he makes the team tick, and there is no-one anything like for like who can come in and play the role he does when he is out.
Maniche is a player transformed this season. Unrecognisable from his previous stint and his time at Chelsea. Crucial player, suddenly.
Results:
Almeria 1 Real Betis 0
Athletic Bilbao 1 Espanyol 1
Getafe 1 Deportivo La Coruna 2
Malaga 1 Sporting Gijon 0
Real Madrid 1 Villarreal 0
Recreativo Huelva 3 Numancia 1
Sevilla 1 Osasuna 1
Valladolid 0 Racing Santander 1
Barcelona 3 Mallorca 1
Valencia 3 Atletico Madrid 1
So, that shakes things up a little both at the top and the bottom end of the table. Up top, Valencia are the big winners jumping from fifth to second after David Silva's virtuoso display. Villarreal's defeat at the Bernabau means they drop out of the top six as pressure mounts on the previously invulnerable Manuel Pellegrini, but it could all have been so different had Iker Casillas not bee in inspired form for the hosts. For their part, Real leap into third ahead of Sevilla in fourth, who were dramatically held to a point at home by Osasuna following Walter 'The Rifle' Pandiani's last gasp strike. Barcelona's lead at the top is extended to 11 points but still only 3 points seperate 2nd from sixth.
Replacing Villarreal in the European spot is Deportivo La Coruna, who beat Getafe 2-1 at the Alfonso Perez. Valladolid's European push was dealt a blow by Racing, who were inspired by Nikola Zigic's return on loan. In his first game back, Zigic scored the only goal and Racing jump to 11th. Hugo Sanchez's first game at Almeria ended in a 1-0 win over Real Betis - whose purple patch is well and truly over - and Athletic and Espanyol played out a draw at the San Mames. Recreativo's defeat of Numancia tightens things up at the bottom, with Espanyol and Mallorca two points from safety.
