Osasuna stay on top but Barca up to second

MADRID – Osasuna maintained their leadership of the Spanish first division with a 2-0 win over Espanyol on Sunday but champions Barcelona are breathing down their necks after a thumping 5-0 win against Real Sociedad.

Few would have expected Osasuna to be occupying their current lofty position even at this stage of the season despite the acknowledged motivational qualities of their Mexican coach Javier Aguirre. The Pamplona-based side have finished in the bottom half of the Spanish first division ever since they returned to the top flight five seasons ago David Lopez and Inaki Munoz got the goals on Sunday that continued the fairytale for at least another week and maintained their 100 percent home record.Osasuna now have 21 points from 10 games while reigning Spanish champions Barcelona move up to second, two points behind Osasuna, following their 5-0 thrashing of Real Sociedad.Barca have now scored 10 goals without reply in their last three games.Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel started the deluge for the Catalan club, scoring after 17 minutes.World Player of the Year Ronaldinho then turned on some of his magic to find the net after 35 and 59 minutes before Puyol and second half substitute Henrik Larsson headed goals in the last 15 minutes to complete Sociedad’s miserable night.Real Madrid are third on 18 points after their 2-0 win at Real Betis on Saturday, with the goals for the 29-times Spanish champions coming from Robinho and second half substitute Alvaro Mejia.-Nampa-AFPThe Pamplona-based side have finished in the bottom half of the Spanish first division ever since they returned to the top flight five seasons ago David Lopez and Inaki Munoz got the goals on Sunday that continued the fairytale for at least another week and maintained their 100 percent home record.Osasuna now have 21 points from 10 games while reigning Spanish champions Barcelona move up to second, two points behind Osasuna, following their 5-0 thrashing of Real Sociedad.Barca have now scored 10 goals without reply in their last three games.Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel started the deluge for the Catalan club, scoring after 17 minutes.World Player of the Year Ronaldinho then turned on some of his magic to find the net after 35 and 59 minutes before Puyol and second half substitute Henrik Larsson headed goals in the last 15 minutes to complete Sociedad’s miserable night.Real Madrid are third on 18 points after their 2-0 win at Real Betis on Saturday, with the goals for the 29-times Spanish champions coming from Robinho and second half substitute Alvaro Mejia.-Nampa-AFP