Unstoppable Colo Colo thrash Unión Española

Colo Colo proved they are the real deal with a thumping 4-1 win at Unión Española on Sunday evening.

Independencia – Although the albos went into the Premiera Division match top of the table, the clash with Unión was predicted to be their biggest test so far.

However, two top-class goals from man-of-the-match Jaime Valdés plus further strikes from Esteban Paredes and substitute Mauro Olivi brushed aside the home team.

Colo Colo goalkeeper Justo Villar was also in top form as the visitors frustrated Unión, who only had a superb Gustavo Canales goal to show for all their efforts.

The victory leaves Colo Colo three points clear at the summit and suggests they will be hot favourites to bag their long-awaited 30^th title.

Boss Héctor Tapia played down Colo Colo´s latest success, which comes on the back of 5-2 and 5-3 wins against Iquique and Huachipato respectively.

He said: “We try to do our work and if others want to consider us favourites, then so be it. We´ve been able to win matches, but we go game by game. We have our feet on the ground.”

While it was all good news for Colo Colo, it was exactly the opposite for arch-rivals Universidad de Chile. They saw their four-match winning streak under new manager Cristián Romero brought to a halt by Santiago Wanderers, who triumphed 2-1 in Quillota.

Isaac Díaz bundled la U in front just after the half-hour, but Wanderers turned the game around in the second half to ease the pressure on manager Ivo Basay.

Leonardo Valencia´s solo goal brought the Caturros level in the 52nd minute and substitute Boris Sagredo crashed home the winner on 72 minutes against a la U side who looked tired after their midweek Copa Libertadores exertions in Paraguay.

However, the day was marred by violent clashes between Wanderers fans and the police, which could have serious repercussions for the Valparaíso-based club.

Ñublense sharp-shooter Luciano Vázquez finished top scorer in the Apertura and is now joint top in the Clausura with five goals. He netted twice in his side´s 3-1 win against Universidad de Concepción.

The other match yesterday was a dress rehearsal for the Copa Chile final. Iquique´s Gerson Martínez netted the only goal of the game in the 84^th minute to add to hosts Huachipato´s relegation fears.