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Osasuna drop first home points, Real lose ground
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-09 09:31
MADRID, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Second-placed Osasuna dropped their first home
points of the season and handed leaders Barcelona the symbolic title of winter
champions when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Racing Santander on Sunday.
The result left Barca four points clear at the top of the Primera Liga with
one match to go before the halfway mark in the season. Arch-rivals Real Madrid
are 13 points adrift of the leaders back in sixth place after a 0-0 draw at
Villarreal.
Barcelona's Deco of
Portugal, Ronaldinho of Brazil and Gio from Holland (L to R) celebrate the
first goal against Espanyol during their Spanish Primera Liga soccer match
in Barcelona January 7, 2006.
[Reuters] |
Osasuna took the lead when French
midfielder Ludovic Delporte scored with a marvellous curling free kick on the
half hour but Santander striker Antonito poached an equaliser on the stroke of
halftime to end the Navarrans' perfect home record.
"There is nothing to worry about," said Osasuna coach Javier Aguirre. "We
played well, but just lacked the scoring touch up front."
Champions Barcelona had continued their imperious progress with a 2-1 victory
over city rivals Espanyol on Saturday to chalk up their 15th straight win in all
competitions.
Frank Rijkaard's side have 43 points from 18 games, while Osasuna follow on
39, six ahead of Valencia who were held to a 0-0 draw at Atletico Madrid in
Sunday's late match.
Deportivo Coruna are in fourth a further point behind following their 2-1 win
at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, one clear of Villarreal and two ahead of Real
Madrid.
Real, missing the suspended David Beckham but with Jonathan Woodgate back
from injury for his first start in two months, enjoyed the better of the opening
exchanges at El Madrigal.
FLUENT FOOTBALL
Villarreal soon got into their stride and played the more fluent football
with Juan Roman Riquelme leading the way.
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