Primera Liga reports

Brief reports of matches played in the Primera Liga this weekend:

Played on Sunday:
 
ATLETICO MADRID 0 REAL MALLORCA 1

Mallorca took an important step towards ensuring their survival with their first win in six outings while effectively ending Atletico's hopes of earning themselves a place in Europe.

Atletico striker Mateja Kezman missed two great chances and his side were made to pay when Mallorca midfielder Jonas Gutierrez steered in at the far post 11 minutes from time.

GETAFE 1 VILLARREAL 1

All the significant action took place inside the first two minutes at El Coliseo with Getafe taking the lead after just 25 seconds when Jaime Gavilan curled a right-foot shot into the top corner after cutting across the area.

Villarreal, who suffered a dramatic midweek Champions League semi-final defeat by Arsenal, equalised just over a minute later as Mexico striker Guillermo Franco beat the offside trap, fended off a defender and scored with an angled shot.

MALAGA 2 RACING SANTANDER 3

Malaga became the first Primera Liga team to be relegated this season after an agonising home defeat by fellow strugglers Racing who were playing their first game under coach Nando Yosu.

Francisco Casquero gave Racing the lead after 17 minutes but Malaga turned the tables thanks to two quick-fire goals from Alexis.

The defender turned from hero to villain early in the second half, though, when his error allowed Antonito in to score an equaliser.

Malaga's fate was sealed when Juanjo netted a follow-up after keeper Francesc Arnau saved an Antonito penalty that was given when defender Fernando Sanz was adjudged to have handled as he lost his footing and fell on the ball.

OSASUNA 0 REAL MADRID 1

Real produced a gutsy performance to edge out Osasuna and consolidate their third place in the table thanks to a Julio Baptista penalty five minutes into the second half of a fractious match in Pamplona.

The Navarrans had the chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty after former Osasuna player Pablo Garcia pushed Pierre Webo, but Iker Casillas saved Patxi Punal's spot kick.

The Real keeper was sent off nine minutes from time after a second booking, but although his side were imprisoned in their own area for the remainder of the match they managed to hang on for the win.

REAL SOCIEDAD 1 SEVILLA 2

Sevilla, who reached the UEFA Cup final on Thursday, completed a successful week with a win over nine-man Sociedad that kept them on course for a place in Europe.

Talented midfielder Jesus Navas put Sevilla ahead with a curling shot before the hour and Pep Marti made it 2-0 with a 69th minute penalty after Sociedad midfielder Aitor Lopez Rekarte was sent off for handling on the line.

Striker Nihat Kahveci followed his team mate down the tunnel 16 minutes later for a second booking and although the home side pulled a goal back when Jordi turned a Gari Uranga shot into his own net it came too late.

REAL ZARAGOZA 1 ESPANYOL 1

Cup winners Espanyol eased their relegation worries by claiming an away point against the team they beat in the final.

Brazilian striker Ewerthon put Zaragoza ahead in the ninth minute as Savio and Diego Milito combined to unlock the defence.

Espanyol defender Daniel Jarque equalised when he poked home during a goalmouth scramble in the second half, but he was sent off for a second booking in injury time.

VALENCIA 3 ALAVES 0

Valencia postponed Barcelona's title celebrations for at least a few more days with this emphatic win over their relegation-threatened opponents.

Midfielder Ruben Baraja gave Valencia the lead midway through the first half as he controlled a Pablo Aimar pass with his chest and coolly jabbed the ball under Franco Costanzo.

Aimar, returning just over two weeks after being admitted to hospital with viral meningitis, added a second nine minutes later and leading striker David Villa made sure of a fifth win in a row with a penalty five minutes after the break.

Played on Saturday:

BARCELONA 1 CADIZ 0

Barca edged a step closer towards retaining their title with this narrow win over struggling Cadiz, who had several good chances, were unlucky to go home empty handed.

Ronaldinho, starting his first league match in almost a month, got the winner in the ninth minute when he slammed home from 12 metres after great work by right back Juliano Belletti.

Samuel Eto'o spurned a chance to extend Barca's lead midway through the second half when he missed a penalty after Mark van Bommel was brought down.

DEPORTIVO CORUNA 0 CELTA VIGO 2

Celta closed on the Champions League places after a first win over Galician rivals Depor at the Riazor in 11 years.

Celta took the lead in controversial circumstances when Brazilian striker Fernando Baiano turned a sharp shot towards the goal after a corner but team mate David Silva appeared to help the ball over the line with his hand.

Deportivo were reduced to 10 men late on when centre-back Fabricio Coloccini was sent off after a reckless foot-up challenge on fellow Argentine Diego Placente and Celta cashed in when substitute Jesus Perera made it 2-0 three minutes from time.

REAL BETIS 1 ATHLETIC BILBAO 1

A valuable away point for Bilbao in this duel between two big sides battling hard for top-flight survival.

Betis took the lead in the 26th minute when striker Robert headed in at the far post after a great run by Brazilian countryman Edu.

Bilbao defender Mari Lacruz earned the Basques a deserved draw when he stabbed in from close range midway through the second half after Betis keeper Toni Doblas was unable to hold an Ismael Urzaiz shot.