Another lovely night for Colo Colo

Table-topping Colo Colo continued their superb start to the season with a hard-fought 3-1 win against Rangers at the Estadio Monumental on Friday night.

Macul – More than 30,000 fans turned out on St Valentine´s Day to see their beloved team, though the visitors worked hard to spoil the party.

Colo Colo broke the deadlock in first half stoppage time when José Pedro Fuenzalida netted, but Rangers shocked them with an immediate leveller courtesy of Mauricio Gómez´s header.

The albos regained the lead ten minutes into the second half through former O´Higgins defender Julio Barroso and striker Felipe Flores wrapped things up in the 76^th minute. The difference could have been greater, but Rangers keeper Diego Pozo saved a Gonzalo Fierro penalty.

Delighted Colo Colo boss Héctor Tapia said: “Rangers made it difficult for us, but my players, with their quality, knew how to respond.

“In the past, we found it difficult to win these types of games and score goals, but today we did it.”

The victory means Colo Colo have extended their lead to six points at the top of the table, though Universidad Católica will seek to halve the margin when they host Huachipato tonight (7.30pm).

Meanwhile, the future of Cobreloa boss Jorge García remains uncertain after his side played out a 1-1 home draw against Unión Española. The hosts opened the scoring through Gustavo Cristaldo in the 69^th minute, but substitute Carlos Salom equalised a minute later.

It means Cobreloa lie seventh in the table ahead of the rest of the weekend matches. It was reported that García had a clause in his contract stipulating that he would be sacked if Cobreloa weren´t in the top seven after seven games. The other matches this weekend could seal his fate.

Aside from the Católica match, the other games today are Universidad de Concepción v Cobresal (5pm), Unión La Calera v Palestino (5pm), Antofagasta v Audax Italiano (10pm) and Iquique v Santiago Wanderers (10pm).

There are two matches scheduled for tomorrow: Ñublense v O´Higgins (5pm) and Universidad de Chile v Everton (7.30pm).