First division, day 31

An extraordinary match at the Mestalla stadium, where Valencia moved back up to third in the table after beating Cádiz 5-3. David Villa opened the scoring in the second minute, and although Enrique equalised, Angulo and Navarro got two more before half time. Both Villa and Angulo were on the scoresheet again in the second half, but Jonathan Sesma also helped himself to a brace at the other end.

An unexpected result in Pamplona as well, where hosts Osasuna dropped to fourth after a 0-4 thrashing at the hands of Getafe. Paunovic and Vivar Dorado scored twice in a four minute period late in the first half, and Paunovic and Pernía added two more after the restart.

The biggest tie of the day though was the city derby between Betis and Sevilla, where the hosts ran out 2-1 winners to move clear of the drop zone. All three goals came in the first half, with Robert starting things off from the penalty spot. Saviola levelled the scores, but Varela restored the lead on the stroke of half time.

Controversy once again at the Calderón stadium, where Atlético Madrid's hopes of a return to Europe were dashed by a 0-3 defeat at the hands of Celta. Lequi headed the Galicians in to the lead twenty minutes from the end, and Baiano got a second with a twice taken hotly disputed penalty before De Ridder wrapped things up in injury time.

Celta return to sixth spot, just ahead of neighbours Deportivo who beat Racing Santander 2-0. Capdevila opened the scoring after Víctor headed on a Munitis corner, and youngster Iago got the second ten minutes in to the second half after Manuel Pablo set him up.

The other two matches involving sides struggling to avoid the drop zone both ended in 0-0 draws. Alavés were held by their neighbours Athletic Bilbao, and there were no goals either in the fixture between Mallorca and Espanyol. (02.04.06)

The big "derby" match between Barcelona and Real Madrid on Saturday evening ended in a 1-1 draw, a result which takes Frank Rijkaard's side closer to a second consecutive league title. The Catalans appeared to have things tied up midway through the first half when Ronaldinho put them ahead from the penalty spot after Roberto Carlos gave away a penalty on Van Bommel, and then saw their opponents reduced to ten men after Roberto Carlos picked up a second booking for arguing with referee Medina Cantalejo. But Ronaldo ran on to Baptista's through ball later in the first half to chip the ball over Valdés, and it was back to square one.

Villarreal moved back up to sixth spot pending Sunday's games after a 0-1 win at Zaragoza. Pellegrini rested a few of his key players for the midweek Champions League game with Inter Milan, but they held off the early attacks from their opponents and took the lead when Roger beat César with a well struck free kick on the stroke of half time. Ewerthon, Savio and Diego Milito all failed to beat Viera later on, and Forlán could have given his side a bigger win had he not hit the post near the end.

Real Sociedad won their relegation battle against Málaga, running out 3-0 winners to give new coach José Marí Bakero his first victory. Ansotegui headed the first goal before the interval, and Skoubo and Xabi Prieto added two more after the restart. The visitors ended the game with nine men after Juan Rodríguez and Chengue Morales were sent off, and they ended the day firmly rooted to the foot of the table. (01.04.06)