Saturday 12 January 2008 (all times local)20:00 Barcelona 4 - 0 Murcia (report)
22:00 Athletic 2 - 0 Sevilla (report)
Sunday 13 January 2008
17:00 Betis 3 - 2 Getafe
17:00 Valladolid 3 - 1 Recreativo
17:00 Almeria 1 - 0 Espanyol
17:00 Villarreal 4 - 3 Deportivo (report)
17:00 Zaragoza 2 - 2 Mallorca
17:00 Osasuna 0 - 2 Racing
19:00 Levante L - L Real Madrid (preview)
21:00 Atletico Madrid L - L Valencia (preview)
Real Betis 3 - 2 Getafe
Struggling Getafe fell foul of a rejuvenated Betis side at the Ruiz de Lopera.
Mariano Pavone silenced his doubters yet again just three minutes in with a header from Xisco's free kick, which in turn was borne of a strange foul by Pato Abbondanzieri.
Xisco himself came close soon afterwards, but Getafe had one of the best chances of the half themselves when Granero tested Ricardo at the far post.
The ever-impressive Granero then hit the post on the half hour mark, but Edu had the ball in the net next with a neat finish after Pavone's cutback.
Geta almost netted after a goalmouth scramble, and then had two gilt-edged chances as the second half began, only to squander them both.
Pavone made them pay with his second on the hour mark, but Ruben de la Red threw Geta a lifeline seconds later after Somoza was somewhat harshly have said to have handballed in the box.
It was well and truly game on when Manu del Moral took the ball round Melli to score on the counter thirteen minutes from time, but the hosts had done enough to pull level with the Azulones and escape the relegation mire.
Real Valladolid 3 - 1 Recreativo Huelva
Real Valladolid finally found their shooting boots against lower-table opposition to deserved pick up three points.
They started early. Capdevila and Victor gave Llorente the chance to score his first since December 2, and the striker duly took it as Sorrentino stretched helplessly at the goalbound ball.
And with their second chance of the game, they made it 2-0. Llorente strolled past a sleeping defence after getting on the end of a long ball, with Sorrentino left exposed for a one-on-one yet again. Caceres was particularly at fault, but the Valladolid striker was delighted nonetheless.
The Pucela were firmly in control, but Sergio Asenjo was wrong-footed by Camuñas just before the interval, and the teams went in at 2-1.
Still, it wasn't to last as Llorente grabbed his eighth of the season just before the end. It was a wonderful goal from the Basque man; rounding two defenders, he then left the goalkeeper for dead before racing off, delighted with his day's work.
Almeria 1 - 0 Espanyol
Almeria left it late, but picked up a deserved win against a dazed Espanyol side that is capable of much better.
Within three minutes Luis Garcia had enjoyed a half-chance, but Almeria were to be the better side early on. Felipe Melo's wonderful cross on the quarter-hour mark found Crusat a grateful beneficiary, for example, but the winger shot over the bar.
Espanyol looked severely out of sorts going forward, but the defence was reasonably solid despite the frailties in midfield. In any case, they kept the scores level going into the half time interval, with Negredo's strike midway through the first half being correctly ruled out for handball.
Straight after the break, Crusat was gifted a chance after a massive error from Lacruz, with Lafuente being called into action to deflect the ball wide: little had changed during the respite, it seemed.
And thus it proved when Kala Uche fired home at the far post after a free kick with just two minutes left to play.
Villarreal 4 - 3 Deportivo
Deportivo arguably deserved more from this thrilling contest at the Madrigal, which contained three penalties and a red card.
But in any case, a brace from Nihat and penalties from Rossi and Tomasson were enough to overcome Depor, who had twice taken the lead.
Sergio gave the visitors their first from the spot, before Pablo Amo added one midway through the second period before being sent off. Guardado's last-minute strike, it transpired, was a mere consolation goal.
See our full report here.
Real Zaragoza 2 - 2 Real Mallorca
Zaragoza might feel that they should have won this game, but in the end they can be thankful for not throwing it all away at the end.
The home fans must have thought that they were in for a usual afternoon of frustration when Varela received a sensational long ball from Jonas before capping off the move with a sublime finish.
Minutes later, though, Diego Milito threw his side a lifeline as he took advantage of some dreadful decision-making from German Lux to rise and head home a Sergio Garcia cross.
Lux redeemed himself soon afterwards by saving one-handed a curling Milito effort, but he couldn't hold out forever. The Argentine managed his 11th Liga goal just before the interval after Diogo's cross.
Zaragoza continued to keep the pressure up - and Lux kept his saves going - only for Dani Guiza to equalise against the run of play after being put through by Ibagaza.
And despite all of the blanquillos' good pressure, they had Oscar Trejo to thank for ending the afternoon with a point when the young Argentine - who was otherwise impressive - missed a sitter eight minutes from time.
Osasuna 0 - 2 Racing Santander
Racing kept their European dream alive and consigned the Pamplonans to the dropzone after an efficient, second half win in Navarre.
The first half was largely in favour of the home side, with Tono having to pull off a great save to thwart Margairaz just before the interval, and Juanfran twice coming close earlier on.
But Racing started the second period with all due intent, Jordi hitting the bar with a thirty-yarder just after the restart, and Tchite miscuing a one-on-two soon afterwards.
The game became bogged down with fouls and midfield play, with only a very tenuous penalty claim for Osasuna keeping things lively.
But then Racing gave the hosts a lesson in taking chances when Colsa exchanged passes with Jorge Lopez before bundling past Ricardo.
Just a minute later, Pablo Alvarez settled matters when Tchite was able to beat Cruchaga to a poor clearance and tee the midfielder up for the winner.
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