First division, day 6

Real Madrid moved up to within two points of leaders Getafe after an easy 4-0 win over Mallorca. All four goals were "made in Brazil", with Ronaldo starting things off on the half mark with a low shot which passed through a group of players. Roberto Carlos got the second with a spectacular volley from Beckham's corner, and then added a third after the restart with his own free kick which passed through the defensive wall. Baptista got on the end of Beckham's free kick later on to complete the rout, and Mallorca's woes increased when Ballesteros was sent off for a second bookable offence. Héctor Cúper's side ended the weekend at the bottom of the table.

Celta stay a point ahead of Madrid in second place though after drawing 1-1 at Cádiz. The Galicians fell behind early on when Fleurquín steered a header past Pinto from Sesma's corner, but a quickly taken free kick a few minutes later sent Jorge away for him to set up Baiano for the equaliser. Both sides had chances after that, but in the end they had to settle for a point.

Deportivo started the day with a chance of joining their neighbours in the Champions League spots, but in the end it was their opponents Osasuna who occupy fourth spot after a 0-1 victory in the Riazor ended the hosts unbeaten run. Muñoz got the only goal for the Pamplona based side with twenty minutes on the clock, his long shot catching Molina off guard, and after that they sat back to defend.

Villarreal's shaky start to the season seems to be behind them, and they moved up to eighth spot with a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao. Etxeberría put the visitors ahead in the first half, but a red card for Casas on the stroke of half time allowed Riquelme to equalise from the resulting free kick. José Marí headed the home side into the lead after the restart, and Marcos Senna wrapped things up with an excellent long shot later on.

Atlético Madrid recorded their first away win in eight months, beating Málaga 0-2 in the last match of Sunday evening. Once again it was their twin strike force who did the damage, Fernando Torres winning a penalty in the second half after he was fouled by César Navas and converting it himself, and Kezman running through to make it two a few minutes later.

Espanyol came away from Sevilla with a point after a 1-1 draw, although it would have been three had referee Puentes Leira not disallowed a goal by Corominas late on. A Fredson header had given the Catalans the lead in the first half, but almost immediately after the disallowed goal Moisés turned a Jesús Navas cross into his own net to make it all square.

Real Sociedad and Betis also drew 1-1 in their match in the Anoeta stadium, leaving both in the bottom half of the table. Juanito put the Andalusians in front following a corner midway through the first half, but Kovacevic equalised after the break , his first effort from Nihat's cross being deflected onto the post by a defender but his second finding the back of the net.

Alavés moved off the bottom of the table after a 1-2 win at Racing Santander. Wesley put the visitors in front following a first half corner, but Juanjo made it all square after the restart. The game appeared to be heading for a draw when Carpintero struck a shot through a crowded goalmouth, giving his president Dmitri Piterman a satisfying victory against the club who threw him out a couple of seasons ago. (02.10.05)

A last minute strike from ex Valencia midfielder Redondo gave Getafe a 2-1 win over Valencia, taking Bernd Schuster's side back to the top of the table pending Sunday's games. The visitors had taken the lead on the half hour mark when David Villa headed Vicente's cross past Luis García, but Riki equalised before the break after Pernía's free kick came back off the post. Referee Pérez Lima disallowed a goal by Villa with two minutes to go, and immediately afterwards Redondo got on the end of Riki's cross to score the winner. Tempers were frayed at the end, and Villa got himself sent off as players clashed in injury time.

Controversy as well in the Nou Camp, where Barcelona came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Zaragoza after referee Megia Dávila awarded the hosts a late penalty. The Milito brothers had given the visitors a two goal lead early in the second half, Gabi heading a Savio free kick past Víctor Valdés and Diego getting a second just four minutes later. But Ronaldinho pulled one back with a twice taken penalty after Megia sent off Toledo for a foul on Van Bommel, and with two minutes to go Eto'o nipped in between a hesitant Alvaro and César to get the equaliser. (01.10.05)