La Liga surprise package Girona beat Alaves to move back to the top of the table.

Artem Dovbyk headed in their opener after Yan Couto's shot was parried by Alaves keeper Antonio Sivera.

Portu doubled their lead with a strike from near the edge of the area following a cross by Couto.

Manchester City loanee Couto then won a penalty, which Ukraine striker Dovbyk converted for his 10th La Liga goal of the season.

Dovbyk is thought to be the club's record signing, having joined for a reported £6m from Dnipro in the summer.

Michel's Girona, who are co-owned by the City Football Group that also includes Manchester City, are two points above Real Madrid.

The Catalan side, who have never won a major trophy, are nine points above neighbours Barcelona in third place.

Girona could seal top spot at Christmas - and the halfway point of the season - if they win at Real Betis on Thursday.

#TeamPlWDLFAGDPtsLast 61Girona171421412021442Real Madrid171331381127423Barcelona171052311912354Atletico Madrid161114321616345Athletic Bilbao17953331914326Real Sociedad17863291811307Real Betis1769219172278Getafe1767421201259Las Palmas17746151412510Valencia175571822-42011Rayo Vallecano174851623-72012Osasuna175481926-71913Alaves174491423-91614Villarreal174492333-101615Real Mallorca172961420-61516Cadiz172871424-101417Sevilla162772024-41318Celta Vigo172781625-91319Granada1715112037-17820Almeria1705121739-225

Last updated: December 18, 2023 9:55pm

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https://www.otowngist.com/2023/12/la-liga-girona-reclaim-top-spot-ater-beating-alaves/