Primera Liga reports

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

ATLETICO MADRID 1 VILLARREAL 0

Striker Salva Ballesta scored his first goal since returning to Atletico on loan from Valencia to give his side a valuable victory against winless Villarreal at the Calderon.

Villarreal dominated the first half but Ballesta netted with a powerful header just before the break after a fine cross from Dutch midfielder Kizito Musampa

Neither side took control in the second half but Atletico had to endure a nervous finale when defender Luis Perea was dismissed after picking up a second booking four minutes from time.

ATHLETIC BILBAO 2 REAL MADRID 1

No respite for a trouble-torn Real Madrid, who slipped to a second defeat in three league games against a classy Athletic who thoroughly deserved their first win of the season.

Centre-forward Ismael Urzaiz put the Basques in front when he slotted home a cross from Asier del Horno in the 11th minute and midfielder Santi Ezquerro extended the lead on the stroke of halftime, heading in after another assist from Del Horno.

Real pulled a goal back at the start of the second half when skipper Raul scoring his first goal in six months with a well-struck curler from the edge of the area, but they never threatened to come back as Athletic continued to dominate.

DEPORTIVO CORUNA 1 REAL BETIS 1

Deportivo went some way towards erasing the memory of their 5-1 thrashing at home to champions Valencia when they came from a goal down to claim their first point at the Riazor.

Betis took the lead against the run of play when former Valencia striker Ricardo Oliveira slotted home after an excellent through ball from Fernando on 67 minutes.

The Galicians refused to let their heads drop, however, and were rewarded when midfielder Victor slammed home a rebound after Betis keeper Toni Prats failed to hold a fierce drive from Juan Carlos Valeron.