Barca enjoy best start of season

 MADRID, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona and Real Madrid both passed milestones¹ in the tenth round of matches in Spain's BBVA Primera Liga.

FC Barcelona defeated Cetla Vigo 3-1 thanks to goals from Adriano, who later had to leave the match with a groin injury. The win means Barca have confirmed their best ever start to a season with 28 points from a possible 30.

Coach Tito Vilanova later said the points were more important than the record, but the result keeps Barcelona top of the table and still eight points ahead of Real Madrid.

Jose Mourinho's side moved into third place thanks to a 4-0 win at home to Zaragoza. Gonzalo Higuain, Angel de Maria put Madrid 2-0 up by halftime before late goals from Michael Essien and Luka Modric put some makeup² onto the result after what was not in truth a great display.

It was, however, Madrid's 100th win under the guidance of Mourinho, although he too was fast to take any importance from the result.

Slowly but surely the top of the table is beginning to take on a familiar look as Malaga, who had kicked off the day in third, dropped to a surprise 2-1 home defeat against Rayo Vallecano.

Rayo striker, Piti, scored a goal in each half to give his side a just reward for a brave display of attacking football.

Atletico Madrid remain second but are now three points behind Barca after losing 2-0 away to a tough Valencia. Roberto Soldado scored a fine opening goal and Nelson Valdez ensured the points would stay in the Mestalla Stadium with his side's second which came deep in injury time.

Sunday kicked off with Espanyol producing a 1-0 win away to Real Sociedad. A Jesus Colotto goal 13 minutes from time saw the points travel back to Barcelona and the home fans voiced their anger with Real Sociedad coach Phillipe Montainier, whose side have now lost their last two home games as well as losing in Corboda in the Copa del Rey in midweek.

Bruna Gama's 30th minute goal lifted Deportivo La Coruna out of the relegation³ zone thanks to a 1-0 win at home to Mallorca, who have dropped off badly after a good start to the season.

Meanwhile Osasuna coach Jose Luis Mendilibar is under pressure after a 1-0 home defeat to Valladolid has left his side rock bottom of the table.

Patrick Ebert's cool chip with seven minutes left in the game gave Valladolid a valuable away win, but was harsh⁴ on Osasuna who carried the weight of the game.

Granada can also count themselves unlucky to have lost 2-1 at home to Athletic⁵ Club. Two goals from Aritz Aduriz, one of them a debatable penalty⁶ decision, put Athletic on the way and the Basque side held on in an open second half after El Arabi had got Granada back into the game after 50 minutes.

Meanwhile Sevilla and Levante rounded off Sunday's action with a 0-0 draw, which keeps both in the top half of the table.

1 milestones   

n.重要事件( milestone的名词复数 )；重要阶段；转折点；里程碑

参考例句：

• Several important milestones in foreign policy have been passed by this Congress and they can be chalked up as major accomplishments. 这次代表大会通过了对外政策中几起划时代的事件，并且它们可作为主要成就记录下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Dale: I really envy your milestones over the last few years, Don. 我真的很羡慕你在过去几年中所建立的丰功伟绩。 来自互联网

2 makeup   

n.组织；性格；化装品

参考例句：

• Those who failed the exam take a makeup exam.这次考试不及格的人必须参加补考。
• Do you think her beauty could makeup for her stupidity?你认为她的美丽能弥补她的愚蠢吗？

3 relegation   

n.驱逐，贬黜；降级

参考例句：

• Liaoning team lost this game, is still deeply avoid relegation zone. 辽宁队本场失利后，仍然深陷保级区。 来自互联网
• In society, relegation is based on your income. 社会上的规类是以你的收入为基准。 来自互联网

4 harsh   

adj.严厉（酷）的，刺耳的，刺目的，毛糙的

参考例句：

• The sunlight is very harsh.太阳光很刺眼。
• Although his words are harsh,there is positiveness in them.虽然他的话很苛刻，但有建设性。

5 athletic   

adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的

参考例句：

• This area has been marked off for athletic practice.这块地方被划出来供体育训练之用。
• He is an athletic star.他是一个运动明星。

6 penalty   

n.处罚，刑罚，罚款

参考例句：

• If you knock the ball with your hand in football,you will suffer a penalty.如果在踢足球时你用手碰到球，你将受到处罚。
• One of those arrested could face the death penalty.被捕的那些人中有一人可能被判死刑。