Cruz Azul regain top spot after Monterrey took the lead for a day
Monterrey's lead atop the Apertura standings didn't last long as Cruz Azul's Argentine midfielder Christian Gimenez helped guide his team to a 1-0 victory over America in 'El Classico' on Sunday. Gimenez's goal came in the fifty-third minute to give Cruz
Azul the victory and keeps them two points clear in the standings after 10 matches. The victory was also Cruz Azul's first over their Mexico City rivals since 2003.
Before Cruz Azul's win, Monterrey had temporarily taken the lead in the league standings with their 2-1 win over Necaxa on Saturday. Humberto Suazo and Aldo De Nigris each scored goals in the first half to guide Monterrey to victory. For Suazo, it was the
Chilean striker's tenth goal of the season after returning to Monterrey from a loan spell with Spanish side Real Zaragoza. Despite Cruz Azul's subsequent victory, players in the Monterrey side are satisfied with their result and are optimistic about their
chances of catching the leaders. "It was an even match, we have to keep working (to stay unbeaten)," said De Nigris. "The important thing is to keep winning and concentrating on the championship." Monterrey remain the only side in Mexico who have yet to lose
a match.
Santos Laguna also kept pace, and remain one point back of Monterrey, as they went on to win 2-0 against defending champions Toluca with first half goals from José María Cárdenas and Christian Benitez. For Benitez the goal was his league leading eleventh
of the season and the Ecuadoran striker has now scored in his each of his last five matches.
Chivas continue to struggle as they needed an own goal, coming off the unfortunate Néstor Vidrio in the ninetieth minute, in order secure a draw against Atlas who remain mired at the bottom of the table. Failure to secure what should have been seen as an
easy three points will hurt Guadalajara's chances of securing a spot in the Apertura play-offs. Guadalajara haven't won for an entire month.
San Luis Potosi gained some ground on their group 2 rivals Toluca by managing a 1-0 victory over UANL Tigres with Othoniel Arce getting the only goal just after the half time break.
Pumas UNAM ended their streak of four matches without a win after getting a goal in the sixty-third minute from Dante Lopez to beat Morelia 1-0 and strengthen their play-off hopes.
Puebla also improved their chances by beating Queretaro 2-0 on goals from Andrés Olivera and Rodrigo Salinas which were scored a mere four minutes apart midway through the second half.
In other matches Jaguares tied UAG Tecos to keep their play-off hopes alive, and Pachuca got themselves back into contention by beating lowly Atlante 3-1.
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