Valencia keep up with pace-setters

Valencia remained firmly on the coat-tails of the Primera Liga pace-setters after easing to a 3-1 win over nine-man Osasuna on Sunday.

Villa: On target for Valencia
Villa: On target for Valencia

Goals from David Villa, David Albelda and Carlos Marchena ensured a routine victory for Unai Emery's men, who remain in fourth place, just four points behind league leaders Real Madrid.

Osasuna offered little in the way of the fight and were already three goals down when striker Walter Pandiani saw red midway through the second half after committing a second bookable offence.

The hosts briefly rallied and pulled one back through substitute Shojaei Massoud but the night ended on a sour note as Osasuna were reduced to nine when Miguel Flano received a straight red for a professional foul.

Villarreal's dismal start to the season is fast becoming a distant memory as Ernesto Valverde's side continued their revival with a convincing home victory over Real Valladolid today.

Record signing Nilmar netted twice and strike partner Giuseppe Rossi also got on the scoresheet to set Villarreal on their way to a 3-1 success, with Valladolid only managing to net a consolation through Diego Costa.

Real Mallorca struck twice in the last two minutes to preserve their 100% home record with a 3-1 victory over plucky Almeria.

The islanders had won all of their previous five league matches at Son Moix but looked as though they would have to settle for a draw in this one after David Rodriguez cancelled out Gonzalo Castro's first-half strike.

The scores remained level with just two minutes left but Victor struck to put Mallorca back in front and Castro grabbed a third for Gregorio Manzano's side deep into injury time.

Getafe struck two late goals to beat Espanyol and get the better of the Catalans once again after recently knocking the Barcelona-based outfit out of the Copa del Rey.

Espanyol were keen to gain revenge following that cup exit but were unable to avenge that disappointment and Getafe took all three points thanks to strikes from Francisco Javier Casquero and Pedro Rios in the last 12 minutes.

Xerez remain rooted in the relegation zone following a goalless home draw against Sporting Gijon. Both sides hit the woodwork twice, the hosts through a Sidi Keita shot and an Antonito header and the visitors through an early Jose Angel free-kick and a Miguel de las Cuevas blast.

Malaga continue to prop up the standings after playing out a fiery 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Real Zaragoza in a match which saw both teams finish with 10 men.

Zaragoza took the lead just after half-time when substitute Ewerthon slotted home from the penalty spot but Malaga salvaged a point thanks to debutant Ivan Gonzalez's towering header in the 74th minute.

In between those two goals, Zaragoza defender Javier Paredes picked up his second yellow card in the 59th minute and Malaga centre-back Weligton followed him two minutes later after being shown a straight red.

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