Real Madrid beaten again at Villarreal, Atletico joint top

AFP: MADRID: Real Madrid’s La Liga title hopes were dealt another huge blow as they suffered a third league defeat in five games to Roberto Soldado’s solitary goal at Villarreal on 13 December.

Atletico Madrid’s 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao earlier in the day means Real now trail their city rivals and Barcelona by five points at the top of the table.

Real were outplayed in the first-half, but reacted after the break and were left to rue a hat-trick of missed chances by troubled French striker Karim Benzema as defeat piles the pressure on under-fire coach Rafael Benitez.

Elsewhere, a late own goal salvaged a point for Valencia in Gary Neville’s first taste of La Liga action as Los Che battled back with 10 men to draw 1-1 at Eibar.

Real had won five consecutive games since being thrashed 4-0 at home by Barca last month, but were forced onto the back foot by a whirlwind start from Villarreal.

“I am not happy at all with the first half and I think the reaction in the second half is the route we have to follow,” said Benitez. “Unfortunately, today it has cost us three points.”

At the Vicente Calderon, Atletico were forced to come from behind as they conceded for just the seventh time in 15 La Liga games this season when Aymeric Laporte swept home Benat Etxebarria’s corner at the back post.

Atletico had barely threatened in the first half but levelled with the last action of the half as Saul Niguez headed in at the near post.

Valencia escaped from Eibar with a point despite another disappointing display after crashing out of the Champions League against Lyon in Neville’s first game in charge in midweek.