La Liga Review: Barca held, Sevilla move level on points

Barcelona’s 100 per cent La Liga start came to an end as Sevilla moved level on points with the Catalan giants on Wednesday.

Luis Enrique’s Barca – who still top the table on goal difference – were held to a frustrating goalless draw at Malaga.

Barcelona came into the clash having won all four of their opening league fixtures without conceding a single goal.

And, while they were able to preserve that impressive defensive record, a failure to turn possession into goals will disappoint their coach.

Jordi Alba proved to be a constant menace down the left in the first half, but the visitors were unable to make the most of his repeated dangerous deliveries.

Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo pushed a Luis Alberto free-kick onto the post midway through the second half as Malaga finished well, but neither side could make the breakthrough.

The result ended Barcelona’s 12-match winning run against Malaga in the league.

Sevilla took full advantage of Barca’s slip up, moving up to second after edging Real Sociedad 1-0.

It was a Barca player that proved to be the hero for Sevilla, with loanee Gerard Deulofeu the difference against Sociedad.

Deulofeu got on the end of Benoit Tremoulinas’ cross in the 18th minute, guiding the ball past Enaut Zubikarai as Sevilla preserved their unbeaten start to the season.

Liga champions Atletico Madrid are within two points of the top two following their 1-0 success at Almeria.

Centre-back Miranda scored his second goal in as many games as Atletico bounced back from their disappointing 2-2 home draw with Celta Vigo on Saturday.

Atletico had looked dangerous from set-pieces throughout and it came as no surprise when it was an inviting corner from Koke that provided the opening goal.

The Spain international swung the ball over with pace from the right and Miranda rose highest to head home at the near p
00002258
ost on the hour-mark.

In other results, Athletic Bilbao crashed to a third consecutive loss.

Aritz Aduriz opened the scoring for Bilbao but a Leo Baptistao brace saw hosts Rayo Vallecano win 2-1. Bilbao hover above the relegation zone on goal difference.

Levante climbed off the foot of the table with a 1-0 win at Granada, while Eibar and Villarreal played out a 1-1 draw.