Another busy weekend of La Liga highlights in Spain ended as it started: with Atletico Madrid in pole position at the top of the table and unrelenting under Diego Simeone.
While the top four all won, however, this was a weekend when the other challengers for a European spot missed out on the opportunity to keep pace.
It was also a weekend in which Osasuna climbed out of the drop zone.
Winners
Huesca
For basement battlers Huesca to hold high-flying Villarreal (who started the day in La Liga in the fourth spot) to a goalless draw was no mean feat and keeps alive their hopes of survival.
The tight, yet competitive stalemate ended a run of four straight defeats for the bottom club. Perhaps it should come as no surprise as each of the last four meetings between these two sides have now ended in draws.
Youssef En-Nesyri
If a Moroccan marksman has ever before netted two La Liga hat-tricks in a month, this Sbotop writer is not aware of the feat.
For Youssef En-Nesyri is in fine form as he helped Sevilla steal a march on their rivals for a Champions League place.
He netted all three in their 3-0 success over surprise package Cadiz, who deserve much credit for their campaign to date.
En-Nesyri has now scored 15 goals in all competitions this season, including nine from his last 13 shots.
Eden Hazard
Until Saturday night, it had largely been a week to forget for Spanish champions Real Madrid as they were humiliated by third division outfit Alcoyano – who were down to 10 men – in the Copa del Rey.
It was a result which has left many believing Zinedine Zidane will not last in charge beyond the season, despite his terrific record in two separate stints as coach.
To compound matters, the former France international tested positive for coronavirus, meaning he could not be on the sidelines for the game against Alaves.
Enter Eden Hazard.
The Belgian had only shown glimpses of the form which led the club to part with £88.5 million for his services 18 months ago.
Yet his contribution in this contest was as timely as it was brilliant.
The best player on the pitch scored and set up another in their 4-1 win.
Eden Hazard celebrates after scoring real Madrid’s third goal against Alaves
Atletico Madrid
When Uros Racic superbly fired Valencia ahead from long range after just 11 minutes of their clash in the Wanda Metropolitano, a surprise was briefly threatened.
Yet leaders Atletico, not in action until Sunday night after all their main rivals had played, are made of stern stuff and within 12 minutes were level as Joao Felix scored his first goal for almost two months.
Luis Suarez and Angel Correa added further goals after the break as Simeone’s men maintained their seven-point lead at the summit.
Losers
Real Sociedad
After briefly topping the table shortly before Christmas and impressing many, it’s been a miserable few weeks for Real Sociedad.
Without a win since New Year’s Eve, it appeared that run was about to end for the hosts with six minutes remaining against Real Betis.
Then Sergio Canales pulled one back before Joaquín levelled matters deep in stoppage time.
It’s now just two wins in 15 matches in all competitions for Sociedad who are sixth and leaving a gap between themselves and a top-four berth.
The La Liga betting odds were always stacked against them sealing a Champions League spot this season; they are even more so right now.
Granada
It is harsh to place Granada on this list as they continue to punch well above their weight in the Spanish top flight
Yet this was a real missed opportunity to move level on points with sixth place Sociedad and showcase their credentials, yet again, for another Europa League qualification tilt.
This may also seem harsh on opponents Osasuna who clinched a first victory in 14 attempts but the Nazaries would have hoped for better.
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The post Youssef, Eden and Huesca Take Centre Stage in La Liga appeared first on SBOTOP.