Primera Liga reports

Brief reports of soccer matches played in the Primera Liga on Wednesday:

ALBACETE 2 VILLARREAL 0

Albacete continued their revival with a third win of the season against a fading Villarreal.

Midfielder Libero Parri crashed in the home side's first midway through the second half after Villarreal keeper Pepe Reina had palmed a Mikel shot into his path and forward Basti added another four minutes later when he provided the finishing touch to an intricate passing move.

ATHLETIC BILBAO 2 MALAGA 1

Athletic recovered from an early setback when Uruguayan forward Diego Alonso put the visitors in front after three minutes to claim a morale-boosting fourth victory of the season.

Midfielder Joseba Etxeberria served up the cross for centre-forward Ismael Urzaiz to head in at the far post on 63 minutes and then made the run that disrupted the Malaga defence to allow Tiko to drill home the winner.

BARCELONA 3 MURCIA 0

A convincing first home win for the Catalans that keeps them in touch with the leaders.

Nippy Argentine striker Javier Saviola completed a superbly worked passing move involving Ronaldinho and Gerard with a powerful left-foot shot seven minutes before the break.

Midfielder Xavi clipped in early in the second half after fine work by Luis Garcia on the left wing and Ronaldinho completed another impressive performance with a goal when he slid in to score on 66 minutes.

DEPORTIVO CORUNA 0 REAL MALLORCA 2

Deportivo retained top spot despite a first home defeat of the season against Luis Aragones's Mallorca.

The islanders made life difficult throughout for Javier Irureta's side and were fully deserving of the lead when Samuel Eto'o drilled home from the penalty spot on 75 minutes.

Fellow striker Arnold Bruggink made sure of a first ever victory at the Riazor when he hooked the ball over Depor keeper Jose Molina just before the final whistle.

OSASUNA 2 REAL BETIS 0

Osasuna showed that they were in no mood to surrender their surprise fourth place in the table with a determined victory against a Betis side whose only other defeat was to Real Madrid on the opening day of the season.

Midfielder Moha slotted neatly past Betis keeper Pedro Contreras early in the second half and Inaki Munoz put the result beyond doubt when he smashed in nine minutes from time.

RACING SANTANDER 0 ESPANYOL 1

A first win of the season that takes some of the heat off embattled Espanyol coach Javier Clemente, but still leaves the Catalans propping up the table.

Midfielder Oscar got the only goal of a poor quality game when his well-struck free kick bounced on the edge of the six-yard box and past a despairing Racing keeper Ricardo seven minutes from time.

SEVILLA 1 VALLADOLID 1

Honours even in a hotly-contested encounter at the Sanchez Pizjuan which saw both sides reduced to 10 men midway through the second half.

Dario Silva put the Andalucians in front with a fine dipping free kick on 16 minutes, but burly Valladolid striker Ariza Makukula levelled the game after the break when he nodded in at the near post.

Silva was given his marching orders for insulting the linesman soon after, but Valladolid defender Alberto Marcos joined him when he was red carded for bringing down Francisco Gallardo as he headed for goal seven minutes later.

VALENCIA 2 CELTA VIGO 2

Valencia failed to take full advantage of Deportivo's slip-up when they were held at home by an improving Celta.

Argentine playmaker Pablo Aimar scored a rare header to put Valencia ahead just before the break at Mestalla, but the visitors hit back when defender Eduardo Berizzo rifled home from the edge of the area early in the second half.

Celta then took the lead after midfielder Jesuli burst through the Valencia defence before cracking home with his left, but Rafa Benitez's side hit back when Fabio Canobbio guided in at the far post two minutes later.