Thaindian News

Madrid, Dec 5 (IANS) Real Madrid chalked up their 14th straight win in all competitions as they enjoyed a 3-0 victory against Sporting Gijon to remain three points clear at the top of the La Liga football just seven days ahead of the much-anticipated “Clasico” against FC Barcelona.

Angel di Maria opened the scoring Sunday after he robbed Sporting full back Damien Suarez before fooling keeper Juan Pablo on his near post with a clever finish with the outside of his left foot, Xinhua reported.

Sporting worked hard but they failed to create clear-cut chances and they were punished again in the 64 minute when di Maria fed Cristiano Ronaldo, who rounded Juan Pablo and rolled into an the empty net.

Marcelo made it 3-0 with a left foot shot in injury time.

Barcelona kept on Madrid’s trail at the top of the table with a comfortable 5-1 win over fourth-placed Levante.

Barcelona raced into a 3-0 lead with two goals from Cesc Fabregas, who shot calmly home after just three minutes following an Andres Iniesta flick, before heading a second from a Xavi Hernandez free kick after 33 minutes. Youngster Isaac Cuenca added a third with a right foot shot from the corner of the Levante area.

Lionel Messi and Alexis Sanchez added further goals in the second half as Barcelona enjoyed a placid preparation for next week’s trip to the capital.

Valencia remain third in the standings after a tough 2-1 win at home to Espanyol. Tino Costa scored a sixth minute penalty for Valencia, who made the mistake of trying to conserve energy in the second and were punished when Hector Moreno equalised for Espanyol with 20 minutes remaining.

Valencia coach Unai Emery brought Roberto Soldado into the game and was rewarded as the striker headed his side 2-1 up from a corner with 10 minutes left.

Sunday kicked off with Atletico Madrid beating Rayo Vallecano in a Madrid derby. Gabi Fernandez, Radamal Falcao and Salvio scored for Atletico against a Rayo side that played well, but was unable to finish, indeed the visitors goal was put past his own keeper by Gabi.

There was a dramatic finish in Anoeta where Carlos Vela and Diego Ifran scored in the last two minutes to allow Real Sociedad turn a 2-1 defeat into a 3-2 win against Malaga.

The win means Real Sociedad coach Philippe Montanier will almost certainly keep his job at the club for another week. Martin Demichelis had opened the scoring with an own goal for Real Sociedad, but Juan Rondon and Seba Fernandez had looked as if they would give the points to Malaga before the dramatic finish.

Betis coach Pepe Mel went into his side’s game away to Osasuna knowing they have taken just one point from their last nine games and that defeat would probably see him sacked.

Mel must have thought his job would be safe for another week at least when Ruben Castro scored ten minutes from time to cancel out Miguel Flano’s 39th minute opener for the side from Pamplona. However, Javed Nekounam curled home a free kick in the third minute of injury time to give Osasuna the points and leave Mel’s job hanging by a thread.

Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao drew 1-1 in a game marked by a high number of fouls, the majority of which were committed by the home side. Alvaro opened the scoring for Mallorca, while Fernando Amorebieta equalised on the stroke of half time.