Betis go on top

Real Betis downed Alaves 1-0 in a Basque derby to take the lead in the Spanish top flight, while Celta Vigo drew 2-2 away to Malaga and Valencia pipped Villarreal 1-0 at the Mestalla.

Visiting Alaves looked to have earned a point on the road in a drab affair at the Manuel Ruiz de Lopera Stadium, but with only nine minutes to go, Fabricio Colocinni clipped Joaquin in the box and Joao Tomas made no mistake from the spot to give Betis victory.

Celta Vigo’s visit to Malaga saw a shower of first-half goals, with Jesuli striking in the fifth minute for Vigo and Kizito Musampa equalizing for the home side just two minutes later. Valery Karpin regained the lead for the visitors on 10 minutes, but Dely Valdes leveled the match in the dying gasps of the first half and neither side could find net during the second stanza.

Depleted Valencia won for the first time in four outings against Villarreal on the strength of a lone tally by Salva. Mestalla coach Rafa Benitez was missing eight players due to injury or international commitments, but his eleven were able to hold the lead given to them by the 26-year old striker, who delivered on the stroke of half-time with a splendid individual effort.

Seville and Real Sociedad were both reduced to ten men with more than a half hour remaining in the match but eventually shared points although visitors Seville had to come back twice to earn their portion of the spoils from the 3-3 result.

Igor Gabilondo and George Demetradze fired the Basque outfit ahead with two first half goals, but Inigo Idiakez was sent off in the 37th minute, and Seville were able to turn the advantage and equalize through efforts by Moises Garcia and Nicolas Olivera.

Alfaro’s dismissal evened the sides and Sociedad must have fancied three points when Marco Luis Alberto restored their lead, only to have Zoran Njegus rescue a draw with an injury-time stunner.

In other Sunday La Liga action, Espanyol and Osasuna fought to a 1-1 draw while Vallodolid bested visiting Las Palmas 1-0. Tenerife downed struggling Rayo Vallecano 3-1 and Real Zaragoza won on the road 1-0 to Real Mallorca.