Matchday 9 - Round-up

Valencia's stuttering form carried over into matchday nine as they were held to a 1-1 draw by bottom of the table side Real Zaragoza at Mestalla on Saturday evening. The Aragonese club took a very early lead through Maurizio Lanzaro but the Italian defender scored an own goal at the other end just before half time to level the scores. Jose Aurelio Gay's team actually outplayed Unai Emery's, even after Ander Herrera was harshly sent off in the second half by Delgado Ferreiro.

Hercules also struck early to shock Real Madrid at the Jose Rico Perez but David Trezeguet's goal was not enough in the end as Angel di Maria and Cristiano Ronaldo (2), scored to turn the match on its head in the second half and ensure all three points in a 1-3 victory for Jose Mourinho's men. Ronaldo continues to break scoring records for Real; he now has eleven goals in nine league games so far in 2010-11.

Barcelona finally won with some style on Saturday as they demolished Sevilla 5-0 at the Camp Nou. Lionel Messi made it seven goals in his last three matches at home to the Andalusians with a brace and David Villa also struck twice to banish doubts about his form. Dani Alves scored the other and then refused to celebrate against his old club, although I'm sure it meant little to Sevilla's embarrassed travelling fans. 

Deportivo La Coruna recorded their first win of the season thanks to a solid defensive performance at the Riazor, halting Espanyol's fine run with a 3-0 victory on Sunday afternoon. Depor's set-piece machine was well-oiled and played a part in all three goals from Adrian, Alberto Lopo and Diego Colotto. Mauricio Pochettino's team, who offered very little in response, were unrecognisable from the side that has shot up the table in recent weeks.

Malaga's dismal run at the Rosaleda continued as they made it five out of five defeats at home this season with a 1-2 reverse to Real Sociedad. Despite a strong start for the hosts, Martin Lasarte's team opened up a two goal lead through Antoine Griezmann and Joseba Llorente and Malaga responded too late. Juanmi eventually cut the deficit but Antonio Apono missed a penalty before that and now the pressure is really mounting on Jesualdo Ferreria, with reports that he could be replaced by Manuel Pellegrini beginning to surface.

Racing Santander had their Swedish contingent to thank for their 4-1 win over Osasuna at the Sardinero this weekend. Kennedy scored a free-kick and Markus Rosenberg grabbed a brace before Marc Torrejon completed the rout to hand under fire boss Miguel Angel Portugal a lifeline. Osasuna were outplayed and only managed to respond with one goal courtesy of a penalty scored by Iranian midfielder Javad Nekounam.

A 93rd minute penalty from Giuseppe Rossi salvaged a point for Villarreal at the Molinon as Juan Carlos Garrido's side drew 1-1 with Sporting de Gijon. The Asturian hosts were under the kosh in the first half but took the lead at the start of the second when Diego Castro scored from the spot after Gonzalo Rodriguez's handball. Rodriguez was sent off for a second booking a little later and Sporting should have killed the game but were guilty of wasting chances. Carlos Marchena was pushed over in the box to earn Villarreal a late penalty and a point, which was the least they deserved after dominating for long periods.

Diego Alves' stock went up again on matchday ten as he pulled off more than half a dozen wonder saves to deny Atletico Madrid victory at the Vicente Calderon. Quique Sanchez Flores' side took a first half lead through Sergio Aguero but were pegged back just before the break by Pablo Piatti (aka "the scourge of Atletico Madrid") and Alves' acrobatic goalkeeping made sure of a 1-1 final scoreline and a valuable point for Almeria.

Athletic Bilbao were utterly convincing in their 3-0 win over Getafe at San Mames on Sunday night. The game was over before it really got started as Andoni Iraola and a Mikel San Jose penalty put Joaquin Caparros' side two up within twelve minutes. Igor Gabilondo came off the bench to rub salt into Madrileno wounds with a powerfully struck goal late on in the game.

A late Pierre Webo goal completed a comeback for Michael Laudrup's Real Mallorca at the Iberostar stadium on Monday night. The Balearic club beat Levante 2-1 in Palma despite the visitors going ahead through Christian Stuani in the first half. Marcos Perreira equalised just after the hour mark and Cameroonian forward Webo put the finishing touch on the winner as a reward for Mallorca's faith in their home consistency.