Primera Liga reports

Brief reports of Primera Liga matches played this weekend.

Played on Sunday:

DEPORTIVO CORUNA 2 BARCELONA 3

Barca appeared to be heading for a comfortable win as they stormed into a 3-0 lead thanks to a double from the brilliant Ronaldinho and a close-range strike from Javier Saviola following a magnificent passing move.

But substitute Walter Pandiani put Depor right back in the game with two well-taken headed goals in five second-half minutes and they had to endure a nervous last 15 minutes to hold on and claim their sixth straight win.

There was a heart-stopping finale when Barca midfielder Thiago Motta was controversially sent off for a foul committed by one of his team mates and Depor striker Albert Luque somehow contrived to miss from point-blank range.

ESPANYOL 2 VALENCIA 1

Valencia's title aspirations suffered a severe dent with this disappointing defeat at a snowy Montjuic, while the result will have provided a major boost for the struggling Catalans.

Raul Tamudo put Espanyol ahead six minutes before the break when he guided in a delightful through ball from the outstanding Ivan de la Pena and made it 2-0 with a header from a corner 14 minutes from time.

Valencia striker Mista pulled a goal back two minutes later, but it was not enough to prevent a second successive defeat for Rafa Benitez's men.

MALAGA 1 RACING SANTANDER 0

Salva Ballesta notched his 15th goal of the season to give Malaga a narrow victory over his former side Racing.

The Malaga striker produced a great first touch with his left foot to turn past the Racing defence and then cracked in low with his right six minutes before the break.

MURCIA 0 OSASUNA 1

Osasuna got their season back on track with their first win in five matches but the result left Murcia facing almost certain relegation as they are now 13 points adrift of the safety zone.

Cameroon striker Pierre Webo grabbed the winner after Murcia goalkeeper Roberto Bonano had blocked a fierce 20-metre shot from midfielder Inaki Munoz in the 31st minute.

John Aloisi had a chance to extend the lead when Osasuna were awarded a penalty early in the second half but Bonano pulled off a great one-handed save to deny the Australian.

REAL MADRID 4 CELTA VIGO 2

Real took full advantage of Valencia's slip-up with this somewhat flattering win over struggling Celta.

The Galicians eclipsed Real in the first half but only had an 18th minute Sasa Ilic goal to show for their domination and the champions roared back after the break.

Ronaldo began the comeback by nabbing his 22nd goal of the season with a close-range finish 10 minutes after the break, nine minutes later Zinedine Zidane headed in a great cross from Figo, who added the third from a fine pass by David Beckham.

Celta striker Savo Milosevic cut the deficit with a goal on the counter-attack but there was still time for Zidane to add the finishing touch by drilling home from the edge of the area.

REAL MALLORCA 0 ATLETICO MADRID 1

Mallorca dominated the opening exchanges but suffered a major setback midway through the half when goalkeeper Leo Franco was sent off for handling the ball outside the area as he tried to stop Fernando Torres from rounding him on the break.

Atletico struggled to take advantage and the match looked destined for a draw until Torres popped up a minute into injury time to score a brilliant solo goal.

Picking up the ball 30 metres out, he fended off a defender, spotted the keeper off his line and lobbed him with the outside of his foot to secure Atletico's first win in six games.

REAL SOCIEDAD 0 ALBACETE 1

A result that lifts struggling Albacete out of the drop zone but one that leaves Sociedad in an uncomfortable position in the lower reaches of the table.

Midfielder Pablo Redondo claimed the winner four minutes after the break when he fired in at the near post at the second attempt after goalkeeper Alberto blocked his first effort.

VILLARREAL 0 ATHLETIC BILBAO 1

Last week's 4-1 defeat at Zaragoza prompted Benito Floro to quit as Villarreal coach on Monday but new boss Paquito was unable to change their fortunes in his first match in charge.

Bilbao's young midfielder Jonan Garcia rifled home from five metres after Joseba Etxeberria cut back a pass to his feet to secure a win that strengthened their bid for a European place.

Played on Saturday:

REAL BETIS 1 SEVILLA 1

Betis got off to a dream start as they went in search of their first derby win in seven years when Alfonso put them ahead with a second-minute penalty after a handball by Sevilla defender Daniel Alves.

But their city rivals drew level 25 minutes later when defender Javi Navarro dinked in a rebound and then looked more likely win despite being reduced to 10 men late in the first half when forward Antonito was dismissed for a second booking.

VALLADOLID 1 REAL ZARAGOZA 2

A fifth defeat in a row for Valladolid and a precious away win for Zaragoza who have overtaken them in the standings.

Zaragoza took the lead in the 10th minute when midfielder David Generelo headed in after goalkeeper Albano Bizzari failed to claim a lofted free kick but Valladolid equalised before the break when Oscar nodded in from close range.

The home side threw away their chance to hold on for a draw when defender Pablo Ricchetti was sent off for a second booking and Zaragoza were swift to take advantage, Argentine midfielder Luciano Galletti scoring the winner with a deflected shot.