Real Sociedad, Celta Vigo join leaders in Spain
Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo have each claimed 3-1 victories to join the Spanish first division leaders with maximum points from two games.
Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo have each claimed 3-1 victories to join the Spanish first division leaders with maximum points from two games.
Yugoslav striker Darko Kovacevic scored twice to help Real Sociedad to their win away to Espanyol, while Jesuli was at the double for Celta as they saw off Real Mallorca at home.
That made it a four-way tie at the top of the table, after Valencia and Malaga extended their winning starts on Saturday.
Valencia, the reigning champions, won 3-0 at home to Recreativo Huelva, while Malaga came from behind for a 2-1 success at home to Rayo Vallecano.
Valladolid were looking to keep up with the early pace with their second win at home to Villarreal in a later kickoff.
Barcelona were in fifth place after their 2-0 win at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday gave them four points.
Real Madrid's game at Real Betis was suspended after 44 minutes because of floodlight failure with the European champions trailing 1-0 to a Capi strike.
The two sides will now have to agree a date to play the remaining 46 minutes of the game.
Real Sociedad and Celta were both grateful to their two-goal strikers for digging them out of trouble in Sunday's early games.
Espanyol had the better of the early play against Real Sociedad but the sending-off of Antonio Soldevilla on 35 minutes for a second booking opened the way for the visitors.
Kovacevic headed in the first on 40 minutes and Mikel Aranburu made it 2-0 early in the second half with a cool near-post finish.
Spanish international Raul Tamudo pulled one back for Espanyol 10 minutes from time and the home side were looking set to come back for a point before Kovacevic found space in the area for his third goal of the season.
Celta also nearly threw away a two-goal lead provided by a Catanha header on 29 minutes and a spectacular long-range strike from Jesuli just before the break.
Mallorca deservedly pulled one back with a Fernando Nino header after 78 minutes but Jesuli's well judged run and shot restored the home side's two-goal lead with eight minutes to go.
Jesuli picked up a second booking for his goal celebration but Celta held out comfortably enough.