West Bromwich continue to shine
Real Betis register 4-2 win over Getafe
Peter Odemwingie struck twice to help West Bromwich Albion continue their bright start to the season with a comfortable 2-0 win over bottom club Southampton on Monday that lifted them to fifth in the Premier League.
Striker Odemwingie's hopeful shot after 36 minutes opened the home side's account and the Nigerian added a second on the hour mark when he headed in an inviting Shane Long cross from close range.
West Brom have 17 points from 10 matches, level with fourth-placed Everton and seven points behind leaders Manchester United.
Southampton have collected four points, the same number as winless Queens Park Rangers, and are bottom due to their inferior goal difference. West Brom have let points slip in their last two league matches against champions Manchester City and Newcastle United by conceding late goals but there were no mistakes this time against a Southampton side short on confidence.
Zoltan Gera spurned a great chance after 20 minutes when an Odemwingie shot went straight into his path but his touch from the six-yard line sent the ball sailing over the bar.
After Odemwingie's opener which flicked off Maya Yoshida and flew past unsighted goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, Southampton were unlucky not to equalise courtesy of Rickie Lambert's neat snap shot that crashed against the crossbar early in the second half.
West Brom keeper Ben Foster made a good save to deny Southampton in stoppage time but that was as close as the visitors got on another tough night for the struggling south coast club.
Benat spurs Betis
A wonderful free kick from Benat Extebarria helped fire Real Betis to a 4-2 victory at Getafe on Monday that lifted them up to fourth in La Liga.
Jorge Molina put the visitors in front after a well-worked passing move in the 59th minute, only for Getafe to quickly equalise through Diego Castro.
Midfielder Benat, on the fringes of Vicente del Bosque's Spain team, restored the Betis lead with a curling free kick into the top corner from wide of the area in the 74th. Two minutes later, striker Ruben Castro sprinted clear following a counter-attack to put Betis 3-1 up.
Getafe pulled one back through Pedro Leon with a minute to go, but as the hosts poured forward looking for the equaliser, Betis broke away in stoppage time and Salva Sevilla netted the deciding goal.
Betis are fourth with 19 points from 10 games, nine behind unbeaten leaders Barcelona, who beat Celta Vigo 3-1 at home on Saturday.
Atletico Madrid are second with 25 points after suffering their first defeat, 2-0 at Valencia, while champions Real Madrid are third with 20 points.
