Ecstatic Everton win the “Clásico Porteño”

Nelson Acosta’s Everton took a big step towards preserving their top-flight status with a battling 2-1 derby victory against Santiago Wanderers.

Independencia – The Viña del Mar side were desperate for the points against their Valparaíso neighbours in a clásico porteño played at Unión Española´s Estadio Santa Laura.

Everton had beaten Unión 3-1 at the same ground the week before thanks to a Matías Donoso hat-trick and it was the in-form striker who set the ruleteros on the way to another vital victory.

He netted against his old team in the 30^th minute, but Wanderers drew level through Matías Mier nine minutes later. It took an excellent strike from just outside the area from Ángel Rojas to win it for Everton in the 64^th minute. Both sides had a man sent off in a typically frenetic derby.

Donoso said: “It was a difficult game. I had played a clásico with the shirt of Wanderers, but this was special. Thanks to the people that hated me and today shout my name.”

Huachipato have moved level with Rangers at the bottom of the accumulated table following their shock 1-0 win against champions O’Higgins.

A controversial penalty awarded for a handball against Pablo Hernández allowed Francisco Arrué to score the winner in the 24^th minute. O’Higgins were also left fuming when they weren’t awarded a spot-kick when Gastón Lezcano appeared to be fouled in the box. To add insult to injury, he was booked by referee Carlos Ulloa for diving.

It was O’Higgins’ first defeat of the Clausura and means they now lie third. It was good news for leaders Colo Colo, who have now opened up a six-point lead at the top over second-placed Universidad Católica.

Católica beat Iquique with a goal from former Iquique striker Álvaro Ramos on Thursday night, while Colo Colo won 3-1 against Cobresal the following night.

Palestino continue to pick up points and lie fourth in the table. They won 1-0 at Cobreloa thanks to Juan Ignacio Duma´s thumping 80^th minute finish.

Another match that finished 1-0 on Sunday saw Ñublense strike at the death to see off relegation-haunted Rangers. Mathias Riquero netted in the 90^th minute.

Some of the best matches of the weekend took place on Saturday. Universidad de Chile and Unión Española played out an entertaining and controversial 3-3 draw at Santa Laura.

U de Chile led three times, but Unión responded to claim a share of the spoils that does neither team any good in their efforts to climb the table. One of the main talking points was the second half dismissal of Universidad de Chile’s Igor Lichnovsky.

The young defender, who had already been booked, was adjudged to have brought down ex-U de Chile striker Gustavo Canales in the box, though it appeared the minimal contact came outside. Lichnovsky picked up his second card for the foul and was sent off.

After the match, he claimed that referee Julio Bascuñán is victimising him and repeatedly threatening to send him off in matches.

Meanwhile, Unión La Calera held off a strong Antofagasta fightback to triumph 3-2 in the north. Leandro Benegas struck twice to move to the top of the scoring charts with seven goals (along with U de Chile’s Pato Rubio and Colo Colo’s Esteban Paredes) as Unión built a 3-0 lead.

In a match with late drama, Audax Italiano and Universidad de Concepción drew 2-2. Audax looked to have won it when Felipe Mora scored in stoppage time, but Sixto Peralta levelled things up from the penalty spot in the fifth minute of injury time.

Tags: Clausura, Everton, Football, Santiago Wanderers