Video - Highlights from Valencia vs Real Madrid

Real Madrid have turned on the style to back up their 1-0 vicotry over Barcelona, comprehensively defeating Valencia 6-3 to highlight the gap between second and third in the La Liga.

Higuain has been playing for just a few games since returning from injury and the Argentinian marked his return by scoring three goals in the victory.

Kaka also added to the goal fest. Benzema also got in on the action scoring the first goal in the match. Valencia still sit third, six points ahead of Villarreal but a staggering 17 points behind second.

Check out the highlights below!

Video - Highlights from Valencia vs Villarreal

In what was tipped to be one of the tightest affairs in the La Liga's reverse fixtures Villarreal travelled to Valencia. After losing David Villa and David Silva Valencia were tipped to not qualify for the Champions League, however Los Che have proved their critics wrong and now sit 3rd in La Liga behind Barcelona and Madrid.

They destroyed the Villarreal defence with smooth passing and well worked runs to win 5-0. A good showing from Mata ws instrumental in the win as well as some clinical finishing from front man Soldado. Villarreal have all but lost hope of finishing third and sit in fourth some six points behind Valencia with eight matches remaining.

Check out the highlights below!

Spanish La Liga, has it become too uncompetitive?

During the Christmas break we take time to evaluate how each of the several leagues across Europe and the world have faired both competitively and financially. The first league we take a look at is Spain's premier league the La Liga. The La Liga is rated by FIFA as the second most successful league in the world after the English Premier League. However, in recent times the league has come under much pressure to offer something new both in terms of marketing and football.

One of the biggest problems in the La Liga is that the league has seemingly divided itself - overtime - into four different tiers.

One tier is played between Barcelona and Real Madrid to win the title.

Just under them is the second tier which consists of Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia and Villarreal, fighting for places in the champions league and the Europa league.

The third tier varies, but usually consists of teams like Atletico Bilbao, Espanyol, Getafe and Deportivo la Coruna, who are quite happy to stay out of trouble, but still play to achieve that elusive Europa League spot.

The fourth tier, of course is that between the teams trying to avoid relegation. Although the quality of the teams do not match those in the "first tier" the competition between these teams is quite exhilarating especially towards the end of the season.

These "tiers" or leagues are divided greatly by the level of football acustomed to each of the clubs. One big example of this was the recent match between Real Madrid and Levante - a team just sitting above relegation-  in the Spanish Cup , the 8-0 victory to Madrid including two hattricks to both Benzema and Ronaldo shows the difference in footballing ability between the two clubs. 

The fact that Madrid and Barcelona are always increasing the gap between all the tiers below them - mainly for money. Shows that the La Liga is bound to become more uncompetitive unless the influence of lesser known clubs becomes greater. Through both transfers and media publicity. Although everything is possible with newly promoted club Hercules putting up stiff challenges against Barcelona (1-0 Victory) and Real Madrid.



By Isidoro Munoz Mendoza our Spanish Correspondant
(Born in the Bernabeu) - Facebook follower

Spanish Premiera Round 14 Real Madrid vs Valencia - Review

Real Madrid have unconvincingly defeated Valencia 2 - 0 at the Santiago Bernabau. In a game that involved a sending off for Abelda and a brace for Ronaldo. The first half was a game played in the midfield with the two teams evenly holding possession. The second half opened up as Mourinho brought on Benzema allowing Ronaldo to drift onto the right. With the extra man to their advantage Madrid continued attacking down Ronaldo's wing. However the breakthrough was to occur on the left as a beautifully weighted ball from Ozil to Ronaldo saw the Portugese attacker score on his left foot. Valencia continued to push forward but couldnt break the Madrid defence. A dispossession from Diarra in the 87th minute resulted in a pass to Ronaldo, and from there CR7 dribbled half the field completing a couple of stepovers to mesmorise Miguel and slot the ball home to score certainly one of the best goals of the La Liga for 2010/2011.

Madrid hold on to second place as Barcelona secured a 3-0 victory overnight. One thing is for certain though. Without Ronaldo, Real Madrid would be a no show tonight.

Final Score - Real Madrid 2 - Valencia 0
                   Ronaldo 73
                   Ronaldo 87

Man of the Match : Cristiano Ronlado (Real Madrid)

Spanish Premiera Round 14 - Real Madrid vs Valencia

After recieving an absolute hammering from Barcelona last week in the El Classico Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho will look to bounce back with a victory against Valencia. The game looks to be the tie of the round, with both teams sitting towards the top of the table Real Madrid in second and Valencia in fifth, they will both look to move ever closer to Barcelona who have once again regained top spot.

Real Madrid Team News: Real Madrid will play without Kaka who has just recently returned to training after his injury spell and also without their hitman Higuain. Both Carvalho and Ramos are out through suspension. Garay will return to sure up the defence. He will be especially important especially after the horrid performance at the back last week

Valencia Team News: Valencia will nervously have to pick their third choice keeper as both Cesar and Moya are out. Injuries to Topal, Fernandes and Mathieu will mix up the lineup for Valencia.

Pediction Real Madrid 1 - Valencia 1

What do you think? Comment with your prediction, those with correct predictions will have their chance to feature in Spanish blog next week.