Real Madrid overcome Valencia to go top of La Liga table

Madrid, Sep. 20 (IANS): Real Madrid came from behind to win 2-1 away to Valencia and open up a two-point gap at the top of La Liga on Sunday night.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side looked to be heading for defeat in the game between the top two in the table as Valencia’s high-pressing game had them on the back foot and trailing after Hugo Duro put the home side ahead in the 66th minute.

Duro hit a left foot shot that took a deflection on its way past Thibaut Courtois and the goal sparked more life into Real Madrid and in the last 15 minutes Valencia were guilty of sitting deep and trying to defend their lead.

Vinicius Jr levelled for Madrid in the 86th minute with his shot also taking a big deflection to wrong-foot Valencia keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and the Brazilian had a hand in his side’s second goal two minutes later when he crossed for Karim Benzema to score off his shoulder, Xinhua reports.

Mallorca and Villarreal drew 0-0 on Sunday in a game that was more entertaining than the final score suggests, with Villarreal (who have drawn their last four games) having the best chances.

Real Sociedad and Sevilla also failed to trouble the scoreboard in a duel between top-four hopefuls in San Sebastian. Sevilla will probably travel home happier with the points than the home side, who saw Mikel Oyarzabal’s poor penalty saved by Sevilla keeper Bono.

Leandro Cabrera scored a 97th minute equalizer to save a point for Espanyol in a 2-2 draw away to Betis.

Aleix Vidal side-footed Espanyol ahead in the 16th minute, but Willian Jose and Nabil Fekir turned the score around for Betis before the break.

The home side were reduced to 10 men in the 78th minute when German Pezzella was shown a direct red card and in the time added on after that incident Cabrera powered home from the edge of the area.