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Las Palmas surprise leaders in Spanish Primera Liga

Xinhua, August 29, 2016 Adjust font size:

Las Palmas emerged as the surprise leaders of the Spanish Primera Liga as the competition goes into international break after the first two rounds of the season.

The side coached by Quique Setien is providing an enjoyable contrast to Barcelona and Real Madrid, and followed up its 4-2 win in Valencia on the opening game of the season with a 5-1 thrashing of Granada on Sunday.

Nabil El Zhar scored twice, while Jonathan Viera pulled the strings in attack as Setien's side produced a fine performance against Granada.

Kevin Prince Boateng, Momo and Sergio Aroujo ended the route in a second half which could have seen Las Palmas score more goals only to be denied by some good goalkeeping from Guillermo Ochoa.

A first half goal from Ivan Rakiic was enough to give Barcelona a narrow win away to Athletic Club Bilbao, but Luis Enrique's side was made to suffer until the very end by the Basque side, who had good appeals for a penalty waved away late in the second half by referee Mateu Lahoz.

Real Madrid also suffered until a Tony Kroos goal gave them all three points and a 2-1 win from their home debut in the Primera Liga against a brave Celta Vigo who resisted until the 60th minute when Alvaro Morata put Madrid ahead following an error from Celta keeper Sergio Alvarez.

Fabian Orellana equalized with a shot from outside of the area seven minutes later and it needed a pinpoint effort from Kroos just 10 minutes from time to keep all three points in the Bernabeu.

Leganes' Butarque Stadium hosted its first ever top-flight game as Atletico Madrid continued their worrying start to the season with another draw against a newly promoted side.

Leganes were organized and goalkeeper JonAnder Serantes saved everything Atletico could throw at him, and Diego Simeone must be worried by his side's lack of creativity in their opening games.

Alaves and Sporting Gijon also played out a 0-0 draw to retain their unbeaten starts to the campaign.

Villarreal and Sevilla also drew 0-0 which leaves new Villarreal coach Fran Escriba still seeking for his first win after replacing Marcelino Garcia. Endit