Racing Santander teenager Sergio Canales showed why he is regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in Spain, scoring both goals as Racing recorded a third straight win with a 2-1 triumph at Sevilla on Saturday.
Midfielder Canales, 18, revealed this week that Sevilla had enquired about his services and he showcased his talents with two classy goals to inflict a third successive league defeat on Sevilla who stay down in fifth.
Canales scored his first league goal to open the scoring on 25 minutes and it was one to remember as he produced a delightful chip to beat Andres Palop.
PHOTO: REUTERS
His second came 12 minutes later and it was another ice cool finish as he rounded Palop, cleverly faked to shoot and then cut inside to dispatch the ball home.
Sevilla were on a high after beating Barcelona 2-1 in the Kings Cup first leg at Camp Nou on Tuesday but found themselves jeered off at half-time trailing 2-0.
“There are no excuses, we had a disastrous first half,” said Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez. “As well as losing the respect of the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium we have also lost respect for ourselves.”
The hosts spurned chances to get back in the game, Spanish international Alvaro Negredo going close on three occasions.
Koffi Romaric, left out of the Ivory Coast squad for the African Cup of Nations, pulled a goal back on 61 minutes after a goalmouth scramble and almost equalized with goalkeeper Fabio Coltorti Swiss producing a fine low save. Racing clung on to the three points and move up to 12th spot.
Atletico Madrid put their midweek Kings Cup shambles behind them with a convincing 4-0 win at Valladolid on Saturday to appease their disgruntled fans with a second successive league win.
Coach Quique Sanchez Flores was seething after Atletico’s 3-0 first leg cup loss to second division Recreativo Huelva on Wednesday and read the riot act to his players and they responded by blitzing Valladolid.
Goals from Jose Jurado, Diego Forlan, Jose Antonio Reyes and substitute Sergio “Kun” Aguero secured Atletico’s first win at Valladolid since 1997 although they stay in 11th position, 10 points off the desired Champions League places.
“There was a good attitude and intensity in our game and I am glad the players responded and showed their best,” Flores said. “We dedicate this win to our fans.”
With 16 minutes gone Atletico took the lead with Reyes coming from deep on the left before the former Arsenal player cut the ball back for Jurado to convert.
Flores was out of the dug-out punching his fist in delight and the second goal came on 32 minutes through Forlan.
It has been a tough season for Forlan and this was his first league goal since the beginning of December and only his fifth of the season compared with the 32 he plundered last season to collect the Pichichi crown for the league’s top-scorer.
Near the hour mark Reyes wrapped up the game with a volley and Aguero made it four in the final minute to cap a miserable night for Valladolid who hover three points above the relegation zone.
In Saturday’s other match 10-man Villarreal saw a run of five straight home wins come to an end with a 1-1 draw against Almeria.
Brazilian Nilmar headed the hosts into a 40th minute lead but Miguel Corona leveled with a 67th minute penalty conceded by Ivan Marcano.
Marcano’s night got worse when he was sent off late on with a two-footed lunge earning him a second yellow card.
Villarreal stay ninth seven points off the Champions League places while Almeria move four points above the relegation zone.
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