La Liga Table 2014: Updated Standings Following Matchday 3 Results
The 2014-15 La Liga season hasn't started as planned for a few of the powerhouse clubs, but the league slate is still in its infancy as Matchday 3 approaches.
Barcelona hold an early two-point lead over everyone else entering the weekend, as the only club among the 20 to win each of their two opening matches. Five clubs—including Atletico Madrid—are right behind them with four points.
As for Real Madrid, it didn't take long for the new-look Los Blancos to disappoint with a 4-2 defeat to Real Sociedad last weekend. But they can turn it around in the Madrid derby on Saturday against in-town rivals Atletico Madrid.
Let's break down the Week 3 results and an updated table.
| Barcelona | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 9 |
| Valencia | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| Sevilla | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 |
| Atletico Madrid | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| Celta Vigo | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| Granada | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| Real Sociedad | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Villarreal | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Deportivo | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Elche | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 4 |
| Malaga | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 4 |
| Athletic Bilbao | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Real Madrid | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 3 |
| Eibar | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 3 |
| Getafe | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1 | 3 |
| Rayo Vallecano | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -1 | 2 |
| Almeria | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -1 | 2 |
| Cordoba | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | -2 | 2 |
| Espanyol | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -3 | 1 |
| Levante | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -5 | 1 |
| Almeria | 1-1 | Cordoba |
| Barcelona | 2-0 | Athletic Bilbao |
| Malaga | 0-0 | Levante |
| Real Madrid | 1-2 | Atletico Madrid |
| Celta Vigo | 2-2 | Real Sociedad |
| Rayo Vallecano | 2-3 | Elche |
| Valencia | 3-1 | Espanyol |
| Sevilla | 2-0 | Getafe |
| Granada | 0-0 | Villarreal |
| Eibar | 0-1 | Deportivo |
Friday
The first win of the season remains evasive for both Almeria and Cordoba, who struggled to a 1-1 draw on Friday.
As many matches are to open the matchday weekend, Friday's affair between Almeria and Cordoba pegged two unheralded clubs whose first and foremost goal is to avoid relegation. With the playing field leveled, tensions were high as both squads knew of the big opportunity at hand to gain three full points.
The home side struck first, when Almeria went in front from a 12th-minute goal from Edgar that was assisted by a wonderful Ximo Navarro cross. But it took no time for the opposition to respond.
Cordoba quickly got their feet underneath them after letting up the early goal and equalized just seven minutes later when a nice through pass found Federico Cartabia. He slipped it past the goalkeeper from a tough angle, knotting the score up at 1-1.
Tensions remained high in the second half, with recently promoted Cordoba fighting to hold on. A questionable no-call on a handball in the box didn't go Almeria's way, and repeated chances to go in front were squandered.
Fernando Soriano hit the crossbar on a header in the 73rd minute, but that was as close as they'd get.
Perhaps taking off Wellington Silva—an Arsenal loanee—in the 64th minute prevented the late winner, as James Dodd of TalkSPORT noted:
There has to be a level of disappointment for both clubs following this result. Cordoba played well enough at times to threaten an unlikely win, and Almeria have to be kicking themselves at the failed opportunity against a club just returning to La Liga.
There aren't too many matches in which these clubs can overpower their opponent with skill, so failing to win one of those rare situations is a bad look—especially early in the season. Both clubs have two points through three games, and keeping that up throughout the season might not be enough to stay afloat in La Liga.
Sunday
It was more of the same for Valencia and Sevilla on Sunday, as both cruised to victories to continue moving up the La Liga table through Matchday 3.
Valencia stepped up to the task in a home affair against Espanyol, dominating their opponent en route to a 3-1 win. Pablo Piatti got them on the board first and they didn't look back, now with seven points through the opening three games.
Also without a loss still are Sevilla, who posted an impressive 2-0 victory over Getafe on Sunday afternoon at home.
Carlos Bacca converted a penalty in the opening half to put the hosts in front, and Alex Vidal extended the lead just a few minutes before time. It very well could have been more for Sevilla, but they won't be complaining about a two-goal victory.
Elsewhere, Elche turned some heads early on with a 3-2 road win over Rayo Vallecano. Jonathas de Jesus notched a goal and an assist, pushing his side to their first win of the season.
In the day's night cap, Granada and Villarreal struggled to a lowly 0-0 draw that didn't offer many positives for either team. Granada stays unbeaten with the draw and Villarreal won't be kicking themselves with a road point, but quality opportunities were rare and possession was choppy.
Everyone still looks up at Barcelona in the standings, but Valencia and Sevilla both kept pace as well as they possibly could on Sunday.
