Sporting Gijón 2-1 Getafe: Late heartbreaker keeps Geta in trouble

0-1 Miku 34'
1-1 Trejo 45+5'
2-1 Novo 89'

Ten-man visitors can't hold their nerve in exciting clash...
... A match full of cards saw referee Turienzo Álvarez take centre stage...

Despite taking an early lead at the tough arena that is the Molinón, Getafe once again left an away match empty-handed after suffering late goals at the end of each half in a 2-1 defeat.

An eventful match had referee Turienzo Álvarez dish out no fewer than ten yellow cards. Eight of these to the visitors, including two to Abdel Barrada.

However, the whistler also missed a stonewall penalty for Sporting just before the half-time break, mitigating somewhat his fastidiousness elsewhere.

With Geta having a strong top-flight record against the Asturian outfit both sides sought to attack from the outset, with Sporting using the flanks well as Geta pushed their full-backs forward.

The first side to draw blood was Getafe, though, with Miku's skills in the box justifying his selection ahead of Dani Güiza as he fired home from 15 yards and a narrow angle.

The visitors then tried their best to hold on until half time and, despite a game-ending injury for Miguel Torres, seemed to have done so when Álvarez inexplicably missed a clear handball in the box from Cata Díaz.

But Sporting enjoyed a karmic boost as they equalised right at the end of stoppage time, Óscar Trejo burying it from the edge of the area when Miguel Moyà was caught off his line after a corner.

The second half once again saw much attacking from both team, with neither happy with the idea of a draw. Sporting were given an advantage in their quest on the hour mark when Abdel Barrada deservedly picked up a second booking for a clear dive in the box.

From there the game was largely even, but numerical superiority paid off right at the death as substitute Nacho Novo pounced on a Moyà parry to head home from close range and seal victory for the Rojiblancos.

Getafe finish the weekend on 10 points, two behind their hosts, and depending on results elsewhere could yet end up in the dropzone ahead of the home match with champions Barcelona next weekend.

Sporting: Juan Pablo, Damián, Botía, Iván Hernández, Canella, Rivera (Sangoy 63), Nacho Cases (Eguren 84), Óscar Trejo (Nacho Novo 81), André Castro, De las Cuevas, Barral. Getafe: Moyà, Miguel Torres (Sarabia 43), Cata, Rafa, Mané, Míchel, Lacen, Valera, Diego Castro (Juan Rodríguez 71), Abdel Barrada, Miku (Güiza 86). Red card: Abdel 61' (second yellow)

Getafe 3-2 Atlético Madrid: Ten-man hosts edge spectacular local derby

0-1 Falcao (pen.) 29'
1-1 Abdel 40'
2-1 Míchel 48'
2-2 Domínguez 80'
3-2 Diego Castro (pen.) 82'

A fraught encounter shows that Luis García's men never want for bravery...

... Despite suffering a goal then a player deficit, the Azulones pulled off a famous win...

Getafe came from a goal behind and then a man down to win 3-2 in dramatic circumstances against local rivals Atlético Madrid in the south-side derby on Sunday night.

Starting the weekend bottom of the table, the team in blue seemed set for yet another crushing defeat, but found reserves of strength, guile and audacity as their wealthier neighbours were sent packing from the Coliseum.

However, the evening did not start well. The hosts' then-lack of confidence was clear as Atleti were able to launch wave after wave of attacks on the home goal in the opening stages.

Just before the half hour mark their pressure paid off, Arda putting Diego through in the box; a clumsy challenge from Alberto Lopo saw the ex-Depor man sent off and the visitors awarded a penalty. Falcao duly put it away to give the Rojiblancos a deserved lead.

But ten minutes later Getafe, despite being a man down, grabbed an equaliser. Young starlet Abdel Barrada struck his first Liga goal in spectacular fashion, powering a dipping free-kick past Thibaut Courtois to send the teams into the half time break level at 1-1.

Against all the odds Getafe took a 2-1 lead just after the interval. Diego Castro was brought down on the left flank; Abdel whipped in the resulting free-kick, where Míchel was waiting to head in across goal at the near post.

Blue hearts seemed to be broken yet again this season as Álvaro Domínguez leveled the scores ten minutes from time following a wicked deflection off Juan Valera.

But when Arda Turan gave away a penalty, Diego Castro stood up to once more give ten-man Geta an unlikely lead with eight minutes to go.

From there it was end-to-end action, with Geta coach Luis García beside himself on the touchline as the minutes ticked down, 'keeper Miguel Moyá being called upon more than once to punch away deep crosses.

Yet the hosts held on and picked up just their second win of the season in the most extraordinary of circumstances.

Such a morale-boosting win notwithstanding, the Coliseum outfit remain very much in trouble with just 10 points from a possible 33. Getafe face a visit to Gijón after the international week to meet fellow strugglers Sporting in a relegation six-pointer.

Is this the result that will kick-start Getafe's season?

Getafe: Moyà; Varela (Miguel Torres 87), Cata Díaz, Lopo, Mané; Míchel, Lacen; Pedro Ríos (Rafa 33), Abdel, Diego Castro; Dani Güiza (Miku 51), Sent off: Lopo 28' (professional foul) Atlético Madrid: Courtois; Antonio López (Salvio 69), Godín (Miranda 46), Domínguez, Felipe Luis; Gabi, Tiago (Koke 57); Adrián, Diego, Arda Turan; Falcao.