Estudiantes defeat hands lead to San Lorenzo
Reuters - Monday 20 September 2010, 02:17
BUENOS AIRES, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Promoted All Boys, back
in the Argentine first division for the first time in 30 years,
upset title favourites Estudiantes 2-1 on Sunday to leave San
Lorenzo as sole leaders.
Independiente coach Daniel Garnero's future looked bleak
after his side's 4-0 trouncing by Banfield left them bottom of
the standings, still without a win after seven rounds of the
Apertura championship.
Boca Juniors, whose poor start to the season included a 2-0
defeat by All Boys, beat Colon 3-1 at home with a hat-trick by
veteran striker Martin Palermo, taking his tally to five in
three matches and a record 227 for the club.
San Lorenzo beat another promoted side, Olimpo, 3-1 at home
on Saturday to lead the standings with 15 points. They are one
point ahead of Velez Sarsfield and two in front of Estudiantes,
Arsenal, Banfield and River Plate, who lost 1-0 away to
Newell's Old Boys in Rosario.
Independiente, one of Argentina's so-called 'big five'
clubs, crowned South American champions a record seven times
and only pipped to the post in the 2009/10 Clausura
championship in May, have struggled badly since letting coach
America Gallego go.
COST CUTTING
The decision was part of cost cutting as they prioritise
completion of their remodeled Libertadores de America stadium
but they are paying a high price in poor performances which
could cost the relatively inexperienced Garnero his job.
Boca, who fell behind early on, are mid-table on 10 points
after Palermo netted three fine goals and missed a penalty. His
equaliser was the best when he took a square pass from defender
Matias Caruzzo and chipped goalkeeper Diego Pozo.
All Boys, also with 10 points, went ahead at their small
Malvinas Argentinas ground when central defender Eduardo
Dominguez tapped in from close range after a poor Estudiantes
clearance at a corner.
Rodrigo Brana equalised on the stroke of halftime, ghosting
through the middle unmarked to head home a cross from the right
but midfielder Sebastian Grazzini chipped a brilliant
50th-minute winner for All Boys.
Racing Club, another of the big five clubs which also
include River, Boca and San Lorenzo, ended a run of four
defeats with a 4-0 win on Friday over nine-man Lanus, who had
two players sent off between the 45th and 65th minutes.