Getafe stops Granada from reclaiming lead of Spanish league
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Getafe beat Granada 3-1 in the Spanish league on Thursday, stopping the surprise team of the season from moving back to the top of the table.
Granada had entered the round in first place but slipped to third after just its third loss in 10 matches since returning to Spain's topflight this season.
Striker Ángel Rodríguez put Getafe ahead in the 35th before Mauro Arambarri headed in a second goal six minutes later.
Antonio Puertas tapped in a shot initially saved by goalkeeper David Soria in the 74th to give Granada hope. It was Puertas' team-leading fourth goal. But Getafe's David Timor stopped the comeback when he struck a free kick off the underside of the crossbar and into the net with two minutes left.
The goals broke Granada's run of keeping back-to-back clean sheets.
"We had our chances to draw, and when they put in the free kick the game was over," said Puertas, who added that his team has always kept realistic expectations despite its excellent play so far. "We have never been euphoric. We know very well where we come from and we face each game like it was our last."
Defending champion Barcelona is a point ahead of Real Madrid. Both still have a postponed game to play against one another on Dec. 18.
Granada is two points adrift, ahead of Atlético Madrid and Sevilla on goal difference.
Getafe moved into ninth.
OTHER RESULTS
Fabian Orellana scored a header in stoppage time to give Eibar a 2-1 win at home over Villarreal.
Orellana also assisted Kike Garcia to give the hosts the lead before Gerard Moreno equalized for Villarreal in the 88th with his league-leading eighth goal.
Osasuna also drew at Mallorca 2-2 after coming from behind twice.
