Buoyant Mallorca up to fourth, Xerez make history

Real Mallorca continued their superb start to the season with a 3-0 home win over Valladolid on Sunday to climb up to fourth in the Spanish first division.

Mallorca were the third best team in the second half of last season - only Barcelona and Real Madrid collected more points - and they appear to have continued where they left off.

"Our target is to have a relaxed season," explained Mallorca coach Gregorio Manzano, whose side have won their three home games without conceding a goal.

"We are delighted to keep clean sheets at home and we have only let in three goals in five games which is a great start."

Portuguese defender Jose Nunes scored after three minutes before Aritz Aduriz grabbed a second close to the hour mark and Borja Valero notched a third shortly after.

In Sunday's other matches, it was a historic day for Xerez who recorded their first ever point in the Spanish top flight with a 0-0 draw at Espanyol.

Xerez fans have waited 62 years for their side to grace the top division and had started with four defeats since winning promotion as second division champions.

However, they stay bottom and have yet to score their first goal in the top tier.

"A draw was a fair result and this point is great for our morale," said Xerez coach Jose Ziganda. "There are still eight and a half months left in the season for us to move forward as a club."

Osasuna, who beat relegation on the final day of last season, surged up to eighth with a 1-0 win over Sporting Gijon in Pamplona.

Iranian international Javad Nekanoum converted from the penalty spot after 55 minutes to clinch the spoils for Osasuna.

Promoted Real Zaragoza are also going well with a 3-0 win over Getafe on Sunday lifting them to seventh in the standings.

On Saturday, Barcelona and Real Madrid both maintained their perfect starts to the season with wins over Malaga and Tenerife respectively.

Real lead champions Barcelona on goal difference with Sevilla, 4-0 winners at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, three points back in third.

Sevilla travel to Rangers on Tuesday in the Champions League before hosting Real Madrid on Sunday in the league.

"We won well at Bilbao but it will be another war against Rangers and then against Madrid," said Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez.

Real host Marseille in the Champions League on Wednesday while Barcelona entertain Dinamo Kiev at the Camp Nou on Tuesday.