First division - day 9

Real Madrid drop two points behind new leaders Barcelona after they were held to a 1-1 draw at Almería on Sunday evening. Raúl headed Bernd Schuster's side in to the lead from Higuaín's cross shortly before half time, but Casillas had to make two or three stops later on as the home team came looking to equalise. And with ten minutes to go Piatti got on the end of Crusat's cross to volley a shot past the keeper and save a point for locals. Madrid stay in third spot, level on points with Valencia and one behind Villarreal.

Sevilla lost ground on the leaders after they were beaten 3-2 by Valladolid earlier in the day. Jesús Navas set up Renato and then scored himself to put the Andalusians two up with half an hour gone. But Luis Fabiano got himself sent off for a second bookable offence, and shortly before the break Jonathan Sesma headed one back from Mendunjanin's cross. Half time substitute Canobbio levelled the scores soon after the restart, and then struck the winner with an impressive free kick a few minutes later.

Getafe's no-nonsense football is not liked much by their fans, but Víctor Muñoz's side are level with sixth placed Atlético Madrid after drawing 1-1 at Recreativo. The hosts took the lead when Javi Guerrero headed in Aitor's cross soon after the restart. However they were left with ten men when Iago Bouzón picked up a second booking, and Albín beat Riesgo with a glancing header from Granero's free kick to level the scores near the end.

Deportivo are a point behind Getafe after a convincing 0-3 win over Betis. All the goals came after the break, Riki heading in Guardado's cross on the hour mark to open the scoring. Lafita made it two with a spectacular shot soon afterwards, and Sergio García was sent off with a second booking for diving before Lafita wrapped things up with his second of the night near the end.

Espanyol are level with Depor after a narrow 1-0 victory over Osasuna. Tamudo fired a first half penalty wide and then hit the bar before he finally beat Roberto on the hour mark. But it was enough to take the three points and leave Camacho's side firmly anchored to the bottom without a win to their name all season.

Sporting Gijón are also on twelve points after a 3-1 win over Numancia. Manuel Preciado's side beat their opponents in the cup only four days ago, and although they fell behind in the twentieth minute to a Goiria strike, Luis Morán brought them back level by the break. And in the second half Bilic headed them in to the lead and then converted a penalty to make it five wins in a row for the Asturians. (02.11.08)

Barcelona returned to the top of La Liga for the first time in almost one and a half years after a 1-4 victory at Málaga. Heavy rainstorms meant the match almost didn't take place, but that didn't worry Xavi, who opened the scoring with a well struck free kick in the fifth minute. Duda equalised seven minutes later, but Messi beat Arnau for a second time soon afterwards to put his side back in front. Xavi got his second of the night after Henry headed back Eto'o's cross soon after the restart, and Dani Alves wrapped up an eleventh win in a row with a long free kick which Weligton deflected in to his own net.

Later in the evening last week's leaders Valencia were beaten 2-4 by Racing Santander, their first defeat of the season. Tchité put the Cantabrians ahead after Munitis set him up midway through the first half, and although Villa levelled the scores from the penalty spot a few minutes later, Tchité restore the lead with a snap shot from outside of the area after the restart. Joaquín equalised again after Toño dropped a corner at his feet, but Tchité headed a Munitis free kick past Renan to complete his hat-trick, and Albelda put through his own net near the end.

Villarreal also scored four away from home, a 1-4 win at Athletic Bilbao helping them forget the humiliating midweek cup defeat at Poli Ejido. Angel won the ball in midfield and set up Rossi for the first goal midway through the first half, but Etxeberría made it all square with a header from a David López corner four minutes later. Pires made it two though after the restart, Cazorla ran through the defence for a third, and substitute Altidore scored number four less than a minute after coming on.

Atlético Madrid are back to sixth in the table pending Sunday's games after beating Mallorca 2-0. Kun Agüero returned to the side to score both goals midway through the first half, the first with a lob over Moyà after Forlán had headed on Maniche's long ball, and the second from an Antonio López cross. After that though it took a first rate performance from keeper Leo Franco to stop the visitors from getting back in to the game. (01.11.08)