EURO BITES: Great weekend for Andalucia but Moyes’ time in Spain might be up

THE WINNERS

Sevilla

It was a day to remember for Sevilla fans as they finally beat Barcelona in the league – the first time they’ve done so since March 2007 when none other than Dani Alves scored the winning goal for the Sevillians. In fact, the curse of Barcelona extended even further for manager Unai Emery who hadn’t beaten Los Cules after 21 attempts. I know a few Valencia fans that said “.. but he never wins the big matches,” when talking about Emery – strange when you consider he’s won back-to-back Europa Leagues, but there you go.

Barcelona’s performance was actually pretty impressive. Sevilla had the woodwork to thank (twice) for them going in at half time level. Neymar was causing all sorts of problems and it felt like a matter of when as opposed to if Barcelona would take the lead. How wrong I was.

It was perhaps that comfort they were enjoying which caused Barcelona to go behind. Sevilla won a ball back on the halfway line through Krychowiak. It rolled to Vitolo who played in Gameiro; he got behind Alba and Mathieu far too easily before he produced a wonderful ball across the 6-yard box where an unmarked Krohn-Dehli placed his shot beyond Bravo. Just over 5 minutes later and it was 2-0. Jordi Alba was caught too far up the pitch and Sevilla broke with numbers. Both full-backs flew forward but Krohn-Dehli turned provider and whipped an in-swinging cross for Iborra to nod home.

Barcelona responded well and were awarded a dubious penalty after Tremoulinas was adjusted to have handled the ball intentionally. Neymar, despite fluffing his lines against Las Palmas, made no mistake this time around but it was too little, too late. The loss of Messi was always going to be tough but coupled with the absence of Iniesta this Barcelona side can be hurt, especially at the back.

Malaga

It was a night to remember for Malaga fans after failing to find the net for 544 La Liga minutes; they scored two in three (minutes) against an indifferent Real Sociedad side. Iñigo Martinez had a night to forget fresh after receiving a Spain call-up as he first attempted to dribble out from the back but lost it. Recio had all the time in the world to pick out Charles who calmed chested it up before volleying past the stranded Rulli. Like London buses, two came at once as Iñigo was again at fault, misjudging a long punt up field from Kameni as the ball escaped under his foot which allowed Charles to run forward and delightfully chip Rulli to make it 2-0.

To be fair to David Moyes’ side they didn’t retreat into their shells and soon found themselves pegging Malaga back. The man of the moment Agirretxe stole a march on his marker and headed home to reduce the deficit to one. Even once Malaga were reduced to 10-men in the 70th minute, Real Sociedad couldn’t find another way through. Think of Sociedad as the wolf and Malaga as the three little pigs: Real huffed and puffed but simply couldn’t score a goal, I mean, blow the Malaga house down. In the end it was Charles who killed the game in the final minute. Rosales with some fine work down the right, eventually outmuscling Iñigo (again, sorry) before poking it across for the frontman to bag his hat-trick and all three points for Malaga.

The Raul Garcia and Aduriz double act

Athletic Club have rightly been criticised for their poor displays this term, most notably when resting star striker Aduriz, but when the guy is out on the pitch the team looks a match for anyone. New signing Raul Garcia has immediately found an understanding with the big striker. The duo were on the bench against AZ Alkmaar last week but just 12 minutes after being introduced Athletic pulled one back. It was the same against Villarreal two weeks ago when the side only looked dangerous once Garcia and Aduriz were on the pitch – the latter scoring a late consolation.

It didn’t work to great effect against Real Madrid nor against Basque rivals Real Sociedad but it most definitely did against Valencia. Athletic started well, controlling the early proceedings before going a goal down thanks to a marvellous freekick from Dani Parejo. Athletic continued to push forward with Beñat, having one of his best games for the club, pulling the strings. Laporte got away from Negredo to head home the equaliser just before half time.

Into the second half a long ball from Iraizoz was flicked on expertly by Raul Garcia into Aduriz’s path, who took it wide before playing in Susaeta to fire home Athletic’s second. The third came as Javi Fuego lost the ball in midfield. Raul Garcia charged forward before slipping Aduriz in to score – as he always does against Valencia – to put the result beyond any doubt. It was a crucial victory for Valverde’s men ahead of the international break.

Levante

Arguably the biggest shock of the weekend wasn’t Cristiano failing to score again but Levante toppling La Liga leaders Villarreal at home. The Valencia derby was shaping up nicely before Jokic was sent off for two stupid challenges which left the Yellow Submarines with it all to do.

Levante pressed and probed for a breakthrough but Villarreal stood firm, having Areola to thank for keeping them in the game. However, he could do nothing about Deyverson’s powerful strike in the 82nd minute which deservedly gave Levante their first victory of the season. The home side countered well before the ball eventually went out wide to Ghilas. He had the time and space to float in a brilliant cross that Deyverson volleyed past the Frenchman and send the Levante fans into jubilation.

La Liga’s predictable? None of the top six won this weekend.

Honourable mentions: Keylor Navas – saved Griezmann’s penalty, then from Jackson Martinez at the death. Alen Halilovic – scored a golazo and his influence continues to grow in this Sporting side. Fajçal Fajr – a real gem, only Nolito and Messi have created more goalscoring chances than him this season.

THE LOSERS

Real Sociedad

Another week passes and another week it looks like the writing is on the wall for David Moyes at Real Sociedad. The Basque derby last weekend was as flat as I can remember, both on the pitch and off it, as fans are increasingly becoming concerned with the turgid football on display.

It’s true he inherited a side devoid of fitness and confidence last season so was given a free pass by the fans who only wanted him to guide them to safety and nothing more, which he did. The problem is that after being given over £17m to spend this summer the football on display isn’t much better and the fans had outside hopes of challenging for the European slots yet find themselves closer to the relegation zone.

Certain members of his squad leaking reports of disharmony in the dressing room to the press hasn’t helped. Some have taken exception to his tough training methods and preferred the easier; more relaxed ones enjoyed under his predecessor. Carlos Vela has already spoken out about wanting to leave in January. Something isn’t quite right up in Donostia.

They didn’t actually play too badly against Malaga but it’s a results business and David Moyes just isn’t getting enough good ones at the moment. He had the cojones to drop his big summer signing Jonathas and replace him with Agirretxe; a move which has worked out well but you sense the writing is already on the wall for David, regardless of what he does.

Las Palmas

Paco Herrera’s men earned a place in most neutrals’ heart with their fine attacking display against Celta but since then have lost three of their last four matches, two of which were at home against sides they probably expect to be in and around the bottom half of the league – must win fixtures.

The game against Eibar started as you would expect: fast, end-to-end with chances for either side but a cross from David Junca caused both the Las Palmas defence and goalkeeper to leave it for Eibar’s Saul Berjon to easily poke home the opening goal. Las Palmas didn’t wilt under the pressure and responded well, producing plenty of chances but were unable to take advantage of them. Eibar finished the game off with a spectacular finish from Borja Baston who, similar to Charles’ first for Malaga, chested the ball up before volleying into the bottom corner.

Herrera and his charges need to start picking up points soon, especially at home, or it could turn out to be a very long season.

Jokic

If you remember I called Steven N’Zonzi’s sending off in his debut match for Sevilla as the most ridiculous or stupid red card you’ll see in football. Well, yesterday, we found ourselves a contender for that crown in Bojan Jokic. If you’re a Villarreal fan, you’ve probably already stuck up a picture of him on your wall and have spent all morning throwing darts at it. With none of the five sides below them winning, it was a perfect chance to extend their lead at the top of the table but it wasn’t going to happen after Jokic saw red.

The first challenge in the 3rd minute still has me scratching my head. Lerma gets past him and Jokic falls to the floor. He then inexplicably raises his boot and catches the winger in the chest to stop him running through into the penalty area. For me, it was a red card offence but the referee decided a yellow was an appropriate punishment.

Thankfully Jokic himself thought that he deserved a red card anyway and scythed down Lopez a little over 30 minutes later. I mean, what other explanation could there be? He jumped in two-footed and the defender had to go off injured. As you’d expect, he looked shocked by the decision but the only thing shocking about it was the fact he was still on the pitch after his first challenge.

Negredo

Alvaro Negredo arrived as the ‘Bombazo’ signing a little over 12 months ago but has still yet to get going at Valencia and the excuses are drying up real fast. He arrived coming off the back of an ankle injury and without a preseason campaign under his belt it was always going to be a tough slog, even more so at the age of 29. While the campaign was a success for Valencia the big frontman only managed to score five goals in the league and one other in the cup.

This season he returned leaner and stronger than the season before. Valencia fans were sure they were about to see the real ‘Tiburon’. The signs weren’t great when Nuno dropped him from the squad for a preseason game but after his superb – and vital – goal against Monaco in the Champions League qualifier it felt like a turning point and he’d score for fun, even more so after he scored the following weekend against Deportivo too.

Yet the doubts continue to hover over Negredo. He was left out of the squad to play Real Betis and didn’t come off the bench against Espanyol either. A starter in the Champions League but unconvincing in the league has made the whole situation have a déjà vu overtone to it.

This weekend he was sent through one-on-one against Athletic Club at the beginning of the second half, still 1-1 at that stage remember, and rounded the keeper before firing high and wide of the goal. It was a perfect example of Negredo’s time at Valencia: On the verge of doing something really important but ultimately getting it all wrong. I said at the time it could come back to haunt Valencia and it did.

Honourable mentions: Rayo – guilty of some comical defending against Betis. Deportivo – another chance to prove they deserve to be at the top not taken. Arbeloa – came on for the injured Carvajal but couldn’t cope with Jackson Martinez.