Raul Gonzalez and David Villa scored a brace each but it was Javier Arizmendi who was the hero with his late winner in Valencia's 3-2 stunning victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Sunday. Los Merengues have no one to blame but themselves for the defeat, because of their poor finishing and naïve defensive mistakes that cost them a one goal lead they held until the 67th minute. This is Real's second home defeat and their fifth in the past eight games, yet they maintain a four-point lead over second-placed Barcelona who have 58 points. The Catalan giants thrashed Valladolid 4-1 earlier on Sunday. Real Madrid's defense seemed very shaky since the first minute and Villa proved it when he was sent clear by a clever through ball from David Silva to beat the offside trap and keeper Iker Casillas in the 33rd minute. Valencia maintained their lead for only two minutes before captain Raul rose high to meet Robinho's cross and level the score. Real looked better after the goal and dominated the game in terms of possession. They pressed hard but could get nothing from it. Finally their attempts paid off when Raul was set up by Guti to give his side the lead in the 56th minute. The game took another twist as Villa scored the equalizer from the spot in the 67th minute. And while Real Madrid seemed very close from the winner and squandered many easy chances including a ball cleared from Valencia's goal line, Arizmendi hit them on the counter beating Cannavaro and Casillas with a pin-point shot from a tight angle. Earlier in the day Barcelona hammered Valladolid 4-1 thanks to a brilliant display by Bojan Krkic who scored two goals and created another one. The young prodigy executed a precise cross to Samuel Eto'o who volleyed the opener from eight yards after 24 minutes. Jonathan Sesma brought it back at level as he scored the from the spot in the 31st minute. Two minutes after the break, Andres Iniesta restored his team's advantage from close range. Krkic finally crowned his efforts and got his name on the score sheet making a good follow on Xavi's effort in the 62nd minute. Eto'o returned the favor when he went clear on goal and squared the ball to Krikic in front of the empty net to make it 4-1 and register Barca's first victory in four games.
