Betis go top in Spain

 　　MADRID, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Real Betis reached the top of the Spanish La Liga after winning a thrilling game 4-3 at home to Zaragoza on Thursday.

　　Betis only returned to the La Liga this season and the win means they have 12 points from four games after winning their first four matches of the season for the first time in their history.

　　They got off to a flying start as Roque Santa Cruz scored after just six minutes and doubled their lead when Santi Sevilla scored six minutes later.

　　Zaragoza got a lifeline following an error from Betis keeper Casto Espinosa allowed Efran Juarez to prod¹ home before the break. However, Betis scored twice in the first four minutes of the second half to apparently² put the game out of race.

　　Benat Exteberria scored another penalty following a handball in the area and Santa Cruz took advantage of some poor defense³ to head home his second of the night.

　　It looked to be all over, but Casto was shown a red card after bringing down Luis Garcia with 20 minutes remaining to leave his side to hold out with 10 men.

　　Zaragoza substitute Juan Carlos Perez then scored twice in two minutes to produce a thrilling finale, but Betis were able to hold on and go to bed as leaders.

　　Espanyol began the day with a 1-0 win over Getafe. Substitute Walter Pandiani scored in injury time to maintain his side's 100 percent record.

　　Getafe, meanwhile, are second from bottom of the table with one point from four games.

　　The majority of the matches were played on Wednesday with Atletico Madrid striker Radamal Falcao scoring his second hat- trick of the week in his side's 4-0 win over Sporting Gijon.

　　Real Madrid produced a dreadful performance to only draw 0-0 away to Racing⁴ Santander, while Valencia and Barcelona gave an exhibition of exciting football as they drew 2-2 in Mestalla.

　　An Eric Abidal own goal and a striker from Pablo Hernandez gave Valencia the lead on two occasions, while Pedro Rodriguez and Cesc Fabrigas assured a share of the points for Barca.

1 prod   

vt.戳，刺；刺激，激励

参考例句：

• The crisis will prod them to act.那个危机将刺激他们行动。
• I shall have to prod him to pay me what he owes.我将不得不催促他把欠我的钱还给我。

2 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

3 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

4 racing   

n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的

参考例句：

• I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
• The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。