Sevilla stumbles against Real Zaragoza
The year 2006 was arguably the greatest in Sevilla's history, but the Andalusians started 2007 with a 2-1 defeat at Real Zaragoza on Saturday evening.
Sevilla had won the UEFA Cup and European Super Cup in a memorable calendar year which ended with them on top of the Primera Liga.
However, a fine performance from Zaragoza ensured that they got off to a losing start to 2007 - a year where coach Juande Ramos has refused to rule in or out winning the Liga for the first time since their solitary triumph back in 1946.
Carlos Diogo opened the scoring in the first half before supplying the cross from which Diego Milito made it 2-0 to Zaragoza early in the second half.
Luis Fabiano pulled one back 20 minutes from time for Sevilla, which mounted a frantic finish but failed to come up with the equalizer that would have secured their hold on top spot for at least one more week.
The game ended in furious scenes as Fabiano and Diogo traded a series of wild punches and slaps after the final whistle before other players intervened. They were duly awarded red cards for the melee.
Defending champions Barcelona could now claim top spot on Sunday by winning at Getafe. A late winner from Mikel Aranburu earned relegation strugglers Real Sociedad a precious 2-1 win to start the year and ended the five-match Primera Liga winning streak which Osasuna had put together at the end of 2006.
Xabi Prieto gave Real Sociedad the lead in the first half when he won and then converted a penalty.
However, Raul Garcia struck a leveller after the break for Osasuna, which looked set for a point until Aranburu struck his late decider.
Atletico Madrid's aspirations of making it into the Champions League next season were made to look a touch optimistic as they were held to a goalless draw at home by the Primera Liga's bottom club Gimnastic Tarragona on Saturday.
To complete a forgettable day for the capital club, they had Gabi sent off in the closing seconds.
On Sunday the rest of the Primera Liga resumes after the Christmas break with Barca travelling to Getafe and Real Madrid visiting Deportivo La Coruna.
Recreativo Huelva travels to Espanyol while Real Betis is the destination for Celta Vigo. Racing Santander goes to Levante, whose city rivals Valencia make the short trip to Villarreal.
Real Mallorca entertains Athletic Bilbao in Palma.