Primera Liga reports

Brief reports of matches played in the Primera Liga on Sunday:

ATHLETIC BILBAO 2 VALLADOLID 0

Bilbao midfielder Igor Gabilondo headed in at the back post after six minutes but it was their goalkeeper Armando who took centre stage until Valladolid had defender Pedro Lopez sent off in the 55th.

Gabilondo put away a fumble from the goalkeeper in the 69th to help haul Bilbao further away from the relegation places.

BARCELONA 1 VILLARREAL 2

Barcelona’s title chances suffered a blow with this defeat against a well-organised Villarreal.

Visiting midfielder Marcos Senna scored from the penalty spot in the 31st minute after Victor Valdes had brought down Guillermo Franco.

Midfielder Xavi levelled for Barca in the 67th after good work from Andres Iniesta, but substitute Jon Dahl Tomasson netted the winner with nine minutes to go after a slick passing move.

OSASUNA 2 ALMERIA 1

Midfielder Kike Sola broke clear and rounded the goalkeeper to put Osasuna in front after six minutes but Almeria midfielder Corona equalised with a free header in the 20th.

Defender Cesar Cruchaga headed Osasuna back in front from a free kick in the 29th for their fourth consecutive home win, though Almeria rattled the crossbar at the end.

RACING SANTANDER 3 REAL BETIS 0

The King’s Cup semi-finalists stayed in the hunt for a top four finish punishing a Betis side who had defender Melli sent of in the 48th minute.

Argentine midfielder Aldo Duscher scored when the keeper spilled a free kick in the 50th, and compatriot Ezequiel Garay netted at another free kick in the 58th. Striker Mohamed Tchite sprinted clear to make it three, two minutes from time.

REAL MALLORCA 7 RECREATIVO HUELVA 1

Mallorca extended their unbeaten run to nine in a game Recre’s defence will not want to remember too quickly.

Venezuela forward Juan Arango tapped in from close range in the 18th minute, Spain striker Daniel Guiza hooked in at a corner in the 22nd and the finished off a swift break in the 32nd, before midfielder Borja Valero put away Ariel Ibagaza’s cross in the 37th.

Argentine striker Marco Ruben headed one back for Recre in the 39th but Valero popped up to make it five for Mallorca in the 41st. Arango broke away twice in quick succession to complete the rout in the 47th and 50th minutes.

REAL MURCIA 0 GETAFE 3

New coach Javier Clemente was unable to inspire struggling Murcia as they made it five defeats in a row without scoring.

King’s Cup semi-finalists Getafe opened the scoring with a low shot from Pablo Hernandez in the 55th minute, Uruguayan midfielder Juan Albin broke away to double the lead in the 84th and Francisco Casquero made it three in the 87th. - - - -

SEVILLA 2 LEVANTE 1

Sevilla’s Champions League exit hung heavy as bottom club Levante stunned them after four minutes when Riga caught Andres Palop off his line from 35 metres out.

A diving header from Mali midfielder Seydou Keita levelled the scores in the 27th, and Brazilian top scorer Luis Fabiano took his tally to 20 with a shot from Enzo Maresca’s cross in the 47th.

VALENCIA 2 DEPORTIVO CORUNA 2

Valencia stormed into a two-goal lead with a far post shot from forward Juan Mata in the 17th minute, and a header from the same spot by Spain striker David Villa in the 24th.

But Depor midfielder Sergio lashed in a long-range effort in the 37th, and a minute before the break midfielder Angel Lafita netted from close range to level, as Valencia disappointed at the Mestalla once again.

Played Saturday

REAL MADRID 2 ESPANYOL 1

Real put their midweek Champions League exit at the hands of AS Roma behind them with this comeback win.

Midfielder Valdo’s free header put Espanyol in front after 29 minutes but Argentine forward Gonzalo Higuain levelled for Real in the 42nd, bundling in Marcelo’s cross.

Raul went down for a penalty in the 72nd and scored the spot kick for his 200th league goal. The visitors had striker Raul Tamudo sent off after the final whistle.

REAL ZARAGOZA 2 ATLETICO MADRID 1

Zaragoza’s fourth coach of the season Manolo Villanova got off to a winning start to end a run of four straight defeats.

Atletico’s Portugal winger Simao Sabrosa scored with a curling shot in the 26th minute but team mate Pablo Ibanez put the ball in his own net after a freekick in the 34th.

Argentina striker Diego Milito completed the fight back for Zaragoza with a penalty in the 75th for his 15th goal of the campaign.