Valdez leads Hercules past Malaga

Hercules, Real Mallorca, Racing Santander and Real Sociedad all claim vital victories in Spain’s Primera Division.

Nelson Valdez
undefined
Hercules striker David Trezeguet takes on Levantes defender Javi Venta in Alicante [EPA]

Nelson Valdez scored twice and David Trezeguet added another as Hercules beat Malaga 3-1 on Sunday in Spain’s Primera Division, and Carlos Gurpegi headed an injury-time goal to give Athletic Bilbao a 1-0 win over Osasuna.

Valdez scored the opener for Hercules in the 40th minute. The Paraguayan forward pounced after Levante goalkeeper Manuel Reina spilled an Olivier Thombert header.

A minute later, forward Ruben Suarez converted a pass from Xisco Nadal to draw Levante even. Trezeguet regained the lead for Hercules with his seventh goal of the season in the 62nd with a close-range strike and Valdez scored his second of the game and sixth of the season five minutes later, firing in a cross from Jorge Lopez.

Stoppage time

Gurpegi scored from a corner by David Lopez in the second minute of stoppage time for Athletic at San Mames stadium.

Spain left back Nacho Monreal had Osasuna’s best shot in the 12th with a point-blank header that goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz stopped with a diving save.

A minute before the break, Monreal robbed Fernando Llorente of a goal by stretching his leg to block the striker’s header.

There were no real scoring chances for either side in the second half.

At Iberostar stadium, Mallorca beat Malaga 2-0 on second-half goals by Pierre Webo and Gonzalo Castro.

Webo finally scored in the 50th with a left-footed shot after a perfectly timed pass by Castro put the Cameroon striker through the Malaga defence.

Five minutes later, Webo returned the favour, sliding the ball to Castro who beat goalkeeper Ruben Martinez before firing into the open goal.

The win lifted Michael Laudrup’s team into sixth place on 21 points, while Malaga remained in the relegation zone.

Real Sociedad victory

Results

Saturday November 27

undefined Real Zaragoza 0-3 Villarreal
undefined Sevilla 1-3 Getafe
undefined At Madrid 2-3 Espanyol

Sunday November 28

undefined Hercules 3-1 Levante
undefined Mallorca 2-0 Malaga
undefined Racing S 1-0 Deportivo
undefined Sporting 1-3 Real Sociedad
undefined At Bilbao 1-0 Osasuna
undefined Valencia v Almeria

In other early games, Real Sociedad won 3-1 at Sporting Gijon, and Racing Santander downed Deportivo 1-0.

It was the second away win of the season for Real Sociedad while Sporting lost their third straight.

Centre back Gregory Arnolin put Sporting ahead in the third minute, but Xabi Prieto equalised for Real Sociedad eight minutes later, firing past Sporting goalkeeper Juan Pablo Colinas from the edge of the area.

David Zurutuza added Real Sociedad’s second just before half time with a shot from inside the area, and substitute Mikel Aranburu capped the victory in injury time.

Deportivo lost for the first time in four weeks at El Sardinero stadium.

Deportivo striker Adrian Lopez hit the post ten minutes into the game, but it was Racing who took the lead through Swedish striker Markus Rosenberg in the 61st.

Barcelona play leaders Real Madrid in the “clasico” on Monday with Jose Mourinho’s team one point ahead of the Spanish champions.

On Saturday, Villarreal solidified their third-place in the standings with 27 points through a 3-0 win at last-place Zaragoza. Two points behind, fourth-placed Espanyol beat Atletico Madrid 3-2 in the Spanish capital, and Getafe won 3-1 at Sevilla.

Source: AP