Liga Weekend Wrap: Mallorca End Torrid Run

Harold Lozano secured three valuable points for Mallorca as they ended an appaling run of seven games with a win with a 2-1 victory against Real Betis in Son Moix. Walter Pandiani opened the Balearic side's account in the first minute from the penalty spot after Ariel Ibagaza was hauled down. Fernando levelled 20 minutes later with a superb looping header, but five minutes after the break Lozano stole in at the back post to win the match for the home side.

Rayo Vallecano stunned Celta Vigo with a 1-0 victory that leaves the Galicians facing a tough battle to realise their dreams of Champions League place. Ramon De Quintana's superb diving header flew into the net with just four minutes remaining and gave Rayo renewed hope of maintaining their first division status next term.

Sevilla won their third consecutive game as they overcame Osasuna 2-0 in the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan to move into eighth place. Paqui was sent off for the visitors after just 17 minutes and within two minutes Sevilla were ahead as Antonito fired them ahead. The game was put beyond Osasuna's reach when Jose Antonio Reyes scored from the penalty spot five minutes before the break.

Athletic Bilbao's bid to steer clear of the bottom three took a dent as Malaga hammered them 3-0. Dely Valdes gave the home side the lead after Dario Silva's selfless lay-off allowed the Panamanian to score from close range after 24 minutes. But it was not until midway through the second half that Malaga ensured themselves of victory as Manu doubled their lead before adding his second and the Andalucians' third five minutes from time.

Recreativo and Espanyol drew 0-0 in a game that will do neither side any favours as they both remain entrenched in the bottom three.

Real Madrid maintained their lead at the top of the table with a convincing 4-1 victory over Racing Santander on Saturday night. Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Javier Portillo and Guti all scored to ensure that the European champions continued their good run of form as they prepare to meet Milan on Wednesday. Nafti netted a consolation for Racing just after the break.

Both Barcelona and Valladolid failed to score at the right end in their 1-1 draw in Camp Nou. Javier Torres Gomez gave the home side the lead as he deflected Marc Overmars shot into his own net midway through the first half. But a minute after half time Valladolid were level as Roberto Bonano punched the ball into his goal. Both sides felt aggrieved as they had clear penalty claims turned down.

Deportivo La Coruna moved into second place with a 2-1 victory against Villarreal in the Riazor. Jorge Lopez had given the visitors an 11th minute lead from the penalty spot before Diego Tristan equalised as the referee awarded Depor a spot-kick of their own just after the half-hour mark. The game was then settled five minutes before the break as Jose Reina steered Nourredine Naybet's header into the path of Victor who made no mistake from close range.

Rafa Benitez's was left to rue his decision to rest several key players for the game against Atletico Madrid as the visitors nicked a 1-0 win in the Mestalla. Juan Carlos Aguilera netted the only goal of the game 18 minutes from time to lift Atleti into a Uefa Cup place.