Celta stun Barca as Madrid struggle past Athletic Club

Celta Vigo produced the shock of the season in Spain when they defeated FC Barcelona 4-1 on Wednesday night to go top of the BBVA Primera Liga.

Celta, who went into the game in third place in the table, had been in excellent form in the start to the season and showed that was no fluke with an excellent display both in attack and defense as they outfought and outplayed a Barca side which was way below its best.

Barca suffered the late withdrawal of Jordi Alba through injury and he was replaced by Jeremy Mathieu in the starting 11, where Sergi Roberto replaced Ivan Rakitic and Gerard Pique made his league debut after suspension.

However, it was to be a painful return to his former club for Barca boss, Luis Enrique, as fielding their attacking trio of Iago Aspas, Nolito and Fabio Orellana, Barca were to once again show their talent in the first half hour as first Nolito opened the scoring after 25 minutes and then Aspas doubled the lead in the 30th minute.

Nolito's goal was a wonderful curling shot from a narrow angle, which Barca keeper Ter Stegen got a hand to but couldn't keep out, while Apsas' goal came after he was able to break through the middle of the Barca defense and clipped the ball over the helpless Stegen.

Celta were looking faster and stronger than Barca, who failed to force a difficult save from Celta keeper Sergio Alvarez.

Barca looked a different side in the first ten minutes of the second half and saw how Leo Messi hit the post and forced a fine save from Alvarez, while Pique headed just over when well placed.

However, it was Celta who scored again when Aspes flicked the ball over Mascherano to race through on goal and score with a low shot.

With Barca committed to attack Celta continued to look dangerous on the break, while Alvarez continued to save everything that Barca could throw at him at the other end.

Neymar gave Barca hope in the 80th minute following a pass from Messi , but it was a chimera as John Guidetti netted a fourth for the home side just minutes later.

Keylor Navas and Karim Benzema gave Real Madrid 3 points away to Athletic Club Bilbao. Benzema scoring two goals and Navas making a series of brilliant saves as Madrid won 2-1 in a game where a draw would have been a fairer result.

Levante are still without a win after drawing 2-2 at home to Eibar, although they can take confidence after drawing level after two goals from Borja Bastion had put the visitors ahead. Deyverson scored the equalizing goal for the home side deep into injury time.

Rayo Vallecano notched their second win in five days as they defeated Sporting Gijon 2-1 with Roberto Trashorras and Javi Guerra scoring for the Madrid based outfit.

Tuesday night saw Atletico Madrid defeat Getafe 2-0 thanks to two goals from Antoine Griezmann, while a hat-trick from Imanol Agirretxe gave Real Sociedad their first win of the campaign with a 3-0 win in Granada and Espanyol beat Valencia 1-0 in Barcelona. Endit