Spanish first division reports
Brief reports of matches played in the Spanish first division on Sunday:
Brief reports of matches played in the Spanish first division on Sunday:
ALBACETE 1 BARCELONA 2
Barcelona had to withstand a late fightback from 10-man Albacete before claiming a victory that keeps them up alongside Real Madrid and just behind leaders Deportivo Coruna.
Philip Cocu struck in the second minute to put the visitors ahead. A fluke finish from Luis Enrique, the ball striking a defender and cannoning back off his leg before flying over the keeper, made it 2-0 after 67 minutes.
Albacete had Francisco Pena sent off soon afterwards for dissent but they still pulled a goal back in the first minute of injury-time when Pablo smashed in on the rebound after a good save from Victor Valdes.
ATHLETIC BILBAO 4 REAL MALLORCA 0
Two goals each from Ismael Urzaiz and Joseba Etxeberria earned Athletic Bilbao their first victory of the season.
Urzaiz nodded in a right-wing cross from Javi Gonzalez after 37 minutes for the first and made it 2-0 with another header two minutes before half-time.
Etxeberria drove in for 3-0 after 74 minutes and with three minutes to go Mallorca goalkeeper Leo Franco conceded a penalty, and was sent off, for bringing down Joseba Arriaga. Samuel Eto'o was called in as an emergency keeper but could not stop Etxeberria's spot kick.
ESPANYOL 1 VILLARREAL 2
Villarreal were rewarded for a battling display with a first win of the season, courtesy of an injury-time penalty converted by Juan Roman Riquelme.
Espanyol took the lead after 13 minutes when Maxi Rodriguez intercepted a throw-in and beat Pepe Reina with a snap shot.
Villarreal equalised through Victor 11 minutes later and finally broke the deadlock in the 91st minute when Pierre Wome brought down Juliano Belletti in the box and Riquelme, on loan from Barcelona, scored from the spot.
OSASUNA 1 ATLETICO MADRID 0
Osasuna continued their bright start to the season with victory over struggling Atletico. Pablo Garcia got the only goal on 36 minutes, as his free kick evaded everyone and drifted in at the far post.
Osasuna's Julio Cesar Pinheiro picked up two yellow cards after coming on as a second-half substitute in the last minute of the game.
REAL ZARAGOZA 3 MURCIA 0
Zaragoza picked up their first points of the season with an easy victory over another promoted side.
Former Real Madrid midfielder Savio scored in the first minute with a long-range free kick to set up the win and further first-half goals from David Villa, a penalty, and Luciano Galletti settled matters.
VALENCIA 1 MALAGA 0
A scrambled goal from Carlos Marchena was just enough to give Valencia their first home win of the season and take the 2002 champions to within two points of leaders Deportivo Coruna.
Valencia were in command throughout against a weak Malaga side but needed the quick reaction of Marchena, who was on hand to convert after a Vicente cross was only half cleared a minute before the break.
Played Saturday:
CELTA VIGO 0 REAL BETIS 2
Real Betis recorded their first win of the season over an out-of-sorts Celta who appeared to have their minds on next week's Champions League debut against Club Bruges.
The Andalucians took the lead late in the first half when Pablo Cavallero fumbled a powerful free kick from Brazilian midfielder Marcos Assuncao and they made sure of the victory late on when Fernando slotted home from the penalty spot.
RACING SANTANDER 0 REAL SOCIEDAD 1
Last season's runners-up notched their first win of the campaign against a lively Racing, who were denied a late equaliser by some fine saves from Sociedad keeper Sander Westerveld.
Striker Oscar de Paula gave an injury-hit Sociedad a morale-boosting triumph when he headed in a fine cross from fellow forward Darko Kovacevic 13 minutes before the break.
REAL MADRID 7 VALLADOLID 2
Skipper Raul silenced the critics who had questioned his early season form when he grabbed a classy hat-trick as Real ran riot over a disappointing Valladolid at the Bernabeu.
Real took the lead when Julio Cesar headed a wild Ronaldo shot into his own net on 21 minutes, but it was Raul who put the result beyond doubt when he struck twice before the break, first with an acrobatic back-heel and then with a deft lob.
Zinedine Zidane made it 4-0 when he volleyed home early in the second half before a frantic three minute spell saw Valladolid forward Roberto Losado pull one back with a penalty, Luis Figo restore the four-goal lead with another spot kick and midfielder Chema grab a second for the visitors.
Ronaldo made it 6-2 when he raced on to a David Beckham pass on 70 minutes and Raul completed the rout with a cheeky back-heel after keeper Albano Bizzarri spilled a Michel Salgado shot.
SEVILLA 1 DEPORTIVA CORUNA 2
Deportivo retained their 100 percent record thanks to a 77th minute strike from substitute Diego Tristan against Sevilla.
The Galicians took the lead late in the first half when Uruguayan striker Walter Pandiani burst past two defenders to stab home from eight metres, but Sevilla got back on level terms when Dario Silva fired in at the near post after the break.
Tristan ensured Depor the three points when he nipped ahead of the Sevilla defence to poke in from close range and Javier Irureta's side hung on despite losing defender Hector when he was sent off for a late challenge on a Sevilla player.