Its feels like an age since the name Fc Barcelona did not sit at the top of the Spanish league table. However, following Sevilla’s 2-0 victory over Osasuna on Sunday, it is the Andalucians, rather than the Catalans who lead the Primera Liga after nine matches. The omens are very good for Sevilla. The last time they were top of the table after nine games, in 1946, they also went on to claim the title.
Freddie Kanoute scored the first goal for Juande Ramos’ side on sunday after converting a penalty, five minutes into the second half and the win was sealed with a goal from Correia late on.
Fellow title challengers Valencia were held to a1-1 daw by Espanyol in Barcelona. Espanyol took a surprise lead but could not hold on and finally succumbed to goal from David Silva. Valencia were hit by another injury, this time to Morretti who faces three months on the sidelines. Valencia keeper Butelle reckons “I’m sick of seeing my team mates getting injured. At the rate we’re going we will be lucky to finish the season with two fit players”; a slight exaggeration but whatever happens they probably have more than Atletico.
Elsewhere the collective sigh of relief around the Camp nou was clearly audible as Celta Vigo pinched all three points from Real Madrid at the Bernabeu with a 2-1 win over Real Madrid. Celta were happy to sit back and try to hit Real on the break, a tactic that would have failed had it not been for the outstanding Pinto in goal.
Javier Irureta continues to cut a forlorn figure on the touchline at Real Betis after his side went down 3-2 to a renascent Villarreal. Betis took the lead twice in the match and it looked as if Irureta had turned the corner with his change in tactics. However, Cani’s winner 14 minutes from time piles even more pressure on the former Depor boss and Betis now sit just 2 points above bottom placed Real Sociedad.
Athletic Bilbao's search for a home win goes on after they were held to a goalless draw by in-form Racing Santander.
Needless to say, Real Sociedad lost again – this time to Levante. The 2-0 defeat means Lotina has now lost two in a row and his side are still looking for their first win of the season. After the match, the former Espanyol manager said “We have a few problems and we are showing too many nerves” adding “The pitch stopped us playing as well”. He was referring to Levante’s pitch and their decision to hold a rock concert on it last in the middle of the week. They probably assumed that there would be little football played on it at the weekend with Sociedad in town.