Football: Celta snatch late win to go top in Spain

Celta's Manuel Agudo "Nolito" is congratulated by teammates. Photo / AP

Celta Vigo forward Manuel "Nolito" Agudo scored in the 90th minute to snatch a 2-1 win at 10-man Villarreal yesterday and pull the visitors level with Real Madrid and Barcelona at the top of the Spanish league.

Nolito and attacking midfielder Fabian Orellana kept Celta unbeaten through eight rounds after each scored a goal and hit the woodwork in an attractive clash between the two of the league's best passing teams at El Madrigal Stadium.

Nolito, who has been linked to a move to Barcelona during the winter transfer window, got the winner from a rebound after Orellana's shot came off the post.

Nolito's sixth goal of the season left him level with Madrid stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, and two goals behind Neymar.

Celta's win left Madrid as leader on goal difference after their 3-0 victory over Levante on Sunday.

Celta are second, followed by Barcelona in third after the defending champions routed Rayo Vallecano 5-2, also on Sunday.

"We think we can beat anyone.

"We can go to any ground and show that we can win because we are a solid team that works hard and is dangerous," said coach Eduardo Berizzo, whose Celta side stunned a dangerous Barcelona team 4-1 last month.

Villarreal, who entered the round in first place, fell all the way to fifth, two points off the pace.

Atletico Madrid moved into fourth on goal difference with a 2-0 win at Real Sociedad, who have just one win this season.

Deportivo La Coruna scored twice in the final minutes to fight back 2-2 with Athletic Bilbao to remain in sixth, while Getafe also eased to a 4-0 victory over 10-man Las Palmas.

AP