Spanish first division reports
Brief reports of matches played in the Spanish first division on Sunday.
ALAVES 1 LAS PALMAS 0
Fabricio Coloccini was once again the star for Alaves as he scored his third goal in two games with a superb header in the 32nd minute.
The 19-year-old Argentine defender, who joined the Basque side on loan from AC Milan at the beginning of the season was also to the fore in another fine performance from the miserly Alaves defence.
- - - -
ATHLETIC BILBAO 1 ESPANYOL 1
Athletic, who have not won at home this season, made a promising start when Aitor Larrazabal scored from the penalty spot on 16 minutes after Ismael Urzaiz was brought down in the area. But Jupp Heynckes's side were forced on to the back foot when they were reduced to 10 men after the sending off of Jesus Maria Lacruz nine minutes before halftime.
Mexican striker Juan Francisco Palencia levelled for Espanyol on 69 minutes after Ivan Diaz's mazy run created havoc in the Athletic area.
CELTA VIGO 1 VALLADOLID 1
Celta were fortunate to keep their unbeaten record intact against an adventurous and combative Valladolid side. Former Real Madrid striker Tote gave the visitors the lead after he clipped in coolly on 51 minutes.
But a late lapse of concentration from the Valladolid defence allowed Alexander Mostovoi to bundle the ball home in injury time.
REAL ZARAGOZA 0 MALAGA 2
Kizito Musampa capped a fine individual performance with two well-taken goals to give Malaga a much-needed win and add to the pressure on Zaragoza coach Txetxu Rojo, who was booed off the pitch by the home fans.
The midfielder outpaced the Zaragoza defence to score with a fine angled shot after just nine minutes and hit his second with a first time shot that squirmed under keeper Juanmi shortly after the break.
SEVILLA 1 VALENCIA 1
Defender David Albelda scored a rare goal to give Valencia the lead after 20 minutes. Antonio Notario could only parry his first fierce volley, but the Spanish international made no mistake with his second which fizzed past the Seville keeper into the net.
Moises Garcia smashed in the equaliser only nine seconds after the restart, but Sevilla were unable to snatch the winner and Garcia was sent off after his second booking in injury time.
Played Saturday:
BARCELONA 3 REAL BETIS 0
Carles Rexach's gamble to play his most attacking formation of Rivaldo, Patrick Kluivert and Javier Saviola paid dividends as Barca tore into an out-of-sorts Betis that were fortunate to concede just three goals.
Kluivert set Saviola up for the first with an exquisite back heel on 10 minutes. The young Argentine then provided the cross for Rivaldo's far post header five minutes after the break and the Brazilian notched his second with a deflected drive 10 minutes later.
OSASUNA 4 REAL MALLORCA 0
Osasuna trounced a sorry-looking Mallorca whose luck has not changed with the arrival of new coach Sergio Kresic. Australian international John Aloisi opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a firm drive and Francisco Punal extended the lead with a well-taken free kick just after the half hour mark.
Pipa Gancedo headed in the third after Ivan Rosado created havoc in the Mallorca defence with his lobbed shot. And Rosado capped a fine performance with a goal of his own seven minutes from time.
RAYO VALLECANO 2 DEPORTIVO CORUNA 1
Bottom club Rayo battled their way to a vital win over the leaders. Bosnian striker Elvir Bolic drilled home early in the second half to give the struggling Madrid-based side the lead.
Depor fought back when substitute Walter Pandiani slotted home on 67 minutes, but Rayo got no more than they deserved when Glaucio hit the winner with a neat angled shot five minutes later.
TENERIFE 0 REAL SOCIEDAD 1
Real battled to their second win in a row after they held on to a third minute strike from Brazilian defender Luiz Alberto. Much of the credit should also go to keeper Alberto who pulled off a superb save to stop Tenerife striker Xisco from levelling from the penalty spot midway through the second half.
VILLARREAL 2 REAL MADRID 3
Real left it late to steal their first away win of the season after Villarreal had looked to be in complete control midway through the second half.
Victor had given the home side the lead on 31 minutes with a fine lob, and although Luis Figo levelled with a dubious penalty in the second half Javier Calleja put Villarreal ahead just two minutes later. But an 83rd minute strike from substitute Pedro Munitis and a point blank header from Raul two minutes from time secured a barely deserved win for the champions.