La Liga round-up: Celta Vigo stun Barcelona as Real Madrid head top

Sport360 staff 12:26 02/11/2014
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  • Messi upstaged: The Argentine battles with Celta Vigo matchwinner Joaquin Larrivey.

    Barcelona lost top spot in La Liga with a shocking 1-0 defeat against Celta Vigo, who were worthy winners courtesy of a cool strike from leading scorer Joaquin Larrivey.

    It was a miserable performance from the hosts, whose chances came through flashes of individual creativity rather than coherent teamwork, and the result leaves boss Luis Enrique under huge pressure. 

    Celta were the better team for long periods, threatening for the first time when Nolito curled a free-kick over the bar after a dangerous dribble and coming close again when Pablo Hernandez won a powerful header from a corner but sent it straight at Claudio Bravo. 

    The early stages of the second half saw Neymar strike the woodwork again, turning Jordi Alba’s low cross onto the bar, but then came Celta’s opener when Barca’s defence failed to deal with a long ball and Nolito produced a brilliant flick to set up Larrivey’s low finish.

    Barca looked clueless as they went in search of a leveller, threatening only with a header from Suarez straight at Alvarez and a Messi free-kick well over the top. It was nearly 2-0 when Nolito’s volley was pushed out by Bravo and Charles headed the rebound too high.

    Real Madrid cruised to their 11th consecutive victory with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over outclassed Granada.

    Cristiano Ronaldo netted the first to take his scoring streak to 12 straight games, before a double from James Rodriguez and another for in-form Karim Benzema secured an emphatic triumph for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

    The visitors wasted no time in maintaining their scoring form, taking the lead after two minutes when Benzema pulled back a low pass for Ronaldo to sweep home from the edge of the penalty area. 

    A second for the visitors always looked likely and it arrived after half an hour through a magical moment from James, who ran onto a flick from Benzema and stretched to arrow a sublime left-footed volley arching over the helpless Roberto and into the top left corner.

    The hosts made a bright start to the second period but the outcome was soon put beyond any doubt as Madrid netted a classy third goal, Ronaldo turning provider by sending a clever back heel into the stride of Benzema, who stayed onside to slide the ball past the advancing Roberto. 

    Rodriguez completed the scoring by scambling home from close range after Ronaldo stabbed Arbeloa's right wing cross goalwards. 

    Atletico Madrid move into second place with a 4-2 win over Cordoba at home. Antoine Griezmann struck his first two league goals for the club with Mario Mandzukic and Raul Garcia adding the other goals for Diego Simeone's team. 

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