15 January 2007, by Sean Gillen

Nunes and Viana star in Spain

Portuguese Abroad weekly round-up

It was a good weekend for the Portuguese in La Liga, with Jose Nunes and Hugo Viana both scoring important goals to set up impressive victories for Mallorca and Valencia respectively.

Former Braga defender Jose Nunes scored a 49th minute equaliser for Mallorca as the Islanders ended a sequence of five games without a win by coming from behind to stun league leaders Sevilla 2-1 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Champions Barcelona were without injured midfielder Deco as they also suffered a shock defeat, 3-1 at city rivals Espanyol.

Hugo Viana was the catalyst for Valencia’s 3-0 win over Levante, opening the scoring after coming on as a first half substitute. Miguel also played the full match for Los Ches. Maniche was recalled to the starting line-up as Atletico Madrid won 3-1 at Celta Vigo. Ze Castro started the game in defence, while Costinha was a 72nd minute substitute.

There was a Portuguese in either defence as Deportivo and Recreativo Huelva drew 1-1 at the Estadio Nuevo Colombino. Former Sporting man Beto was selected for the home side, while Andrade continues to build up his fitness with another full appearance for Depor.

Ronaldo on the mark again

In England Manchester United remain three points clear at the top of the English Premiership as Cristiano Ronaldo scored in a 3-1 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford. Ji-Sung Park and Michael Carrick got the other goals for United.

Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea ended a run of three league games without a win by hammering Wigan 4-0 at Stamford Bridge. Hilario continued in goal for the Blues, while fellow Portuguese Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira played in defence as goals from Frank Lampard, Arjen Robben and Didier Drogba added to an own goal from Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland.

Luis Boa Morte started for West Ham against old club Fulham at Upton Park, but was left disappointed as the visitors snatched a late equaliser in a 3-3 draw. Pedro Mendes played the full 90 minutes as Portsmouth drew 1-1 at Sheffield United. Ricardo Vaz Te played the final ten minutes of Bolton’s stalemate with Manchester City, while Nuno Valente missed Everton’s 1-1 with Reading.

Paris Saint-Germain sink further into trouble in the French league, after Pedro Pauleta’s late penalty proved merely a consolation, as they were beaten 2-1 at home by Valenciennes. Champions Lyon suffered only their second defeat of the season as Tiago played in a 2-0 loss at Toulouse. Marco Ramos played for Lens in their 1-1 home draw with Lille.

Luis Figo was again in the starting line-up for Inter, but was withdrawn on 64 minutes as the Nerazurri beat Torino 3-1 to set a new record of twelve consecutive Serie A victories. Fernando Couto was absent for Parma’s 2-0 loss at Empoli, while Jose Semedo missed Cagliari’s 1-0 defeat to Ascoli. Ricardo Esteves watched from the bench as Reggina went down 3-1 at Milan.

Manuel da Costa, struggling with an injury, missed Dutch champions PSV’s 2-1 home win over ADO Den Haag in the Eredevisie. Scottish side Hearts were without Portuguese duo Jose Goncalves and Bruno Aguiar as they blew a first half lead to lose 2-1 at home to champions Celtic.

Daniel Fernandes kept goal for PAOK Salonika against Iraklis in the Greek Super League, but was left disappointed as a 56th minute free-kick from Marian gave the struggling home side a 1-0 win. PAOK remain in fourth, but have now drifted twelve points behind third placed Panathinaikos.

Star Performer

Jose Nunes

Having lost four straight games in La Liga, out-of-form Mallorca appeared to be on their way to another defeat at Sevilla, until Nunes’ volleyed equaliser inspired a remarkable turnaround and ended the leaders’ unbeaten home record.

Earlier round-ups:
08/01/06 Star Performer - Jorge Andrade
21/12/06 Star Performer - Beto
18/12/06 Star Performer - Maniche
11/12/06 Star Performer - Ronaldo
04/12/06 Star Performer - Deco
27/11/06 Star Performer - Ricardo Carvalho
20/11/06 Star Performer - Maniche
13/11/06 Star Performer - Ze Castro
09/11/06 Star Performer - Hugo Viana
06/11/06 Star Performer - Carlitos
30/10/06 Star Performer - Hilario
26/10/06 Star Performer - Hilario
23/10/06 Star Performer - Manuel da Costa
16/10/06 Star Performer - Tiago
02/10/06 Star Performer - Cristiano Ronaldo
25/09/06 Star Performer - Cristiano Ronaldo
18/09/06 Star Performer - Sergio Conceicao
11/09/06 Star Performer - Ricardo Carvalho
28/08/06 Star Performer - Figo
21/08/06 Star Performer - Deco