BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Franco Jara and Matias Perez scored first-half goals to give Arsenal de Sarandi a 2-1 over Newell's Old Boys and deny Newell's a return to the top of the Argentine Apertura tournament Sunday.
In the day's other matches, defending champion Velez Sarsfield stayed in the title race with a 3-1 home victory over River Plate, while Lanus had a 2-0 win over Gimnasia La Plata.
The results mean Banfield retains the Apertura lead with 38 points, followed by Newell's on 36 and Velez on 33. The top three have two matches left to play.
Jara opened the scoring for Arsenal in the 14th minute when he cut into the box and curled the ball into the far corner of the net.
Perez doubled the lead in the 36th, racing on to a pass from Jara and rounding the goalkeeper to score.
Antonio Boghossian pulled a goal back for Newell's in the 53rd, but Arsenal held on to dent the home side's title hopes.
Velez Sarsfield dominated River Plate to stay within sight of the leaders, but needed two late goals to secure the three points.
Maximiliano Moralez opened the scoring for Velez with a curled finish from a corner taken short in the 33rd minute, but a precise pass from Ariel Ortega freed Mauro Diaz to equalize in the 77th.
Hernan Lopez bundled home in the 84th to put Velez back in front and Rolando Zarate scored with a header in stoppage time.
The loss dropped River Plate to 15th as the club's miserable season continues.
Sebastian Blanco opened the scoring for mid-table Lanus against struggling Gimnasia La Plata with a solo effort in the 28th minute.
Santiago Salcedo scored the second for Lanus in stoppage time.
In other results over the weekend it was: Godoy Cruz 1, Rosario Central 1; Huracan 0, Banfield 1; Racing Club 1, Tigre 0; Argentinos Juniors 2, San Lorenzo 1; Atletico Tucuman 2, Colon de Santa Fe 0; Boca Juniors 1, Independiente 2.
