Sevilla climb up the Liga

Sevilla climb up the Liga

A well-worked goal out of almost nothing from Fredi Kanoute was enough to give Sevilla a 1-0 victory over Sporting Gijon in a battle of two teams chasing European places.

Sporting fell to their first home defeat of the season as Kanoute teamed up with Jesus Navas to score the only goal after nine minutes.

The win lifts Sevilla up to third place as they continue their push for Europe.

Substitute Joseba Llorente headed an injury-time winner as Villarreal recorded a 2-1 win at the expense of Atletico Madrid, who are now just a point above the relegation zone following Sunday's results.

Llorente, who had only been on the pitch 10 minutes after replacing Giuseppe Rossi, sent a diving header past Sergio Asenjo in the 91st minute to help Villarreal claim a comeback win in the battle between La Liga's two biggest underachievers so far this season.

Earlier, Atletico had taken a first-half lead through captain Simao Sabrosa but David Fuster brought Villarreal level just after half-time before Llorente's late effort helped the Yellow Submarine climb up to 10th in the standings.

Real Mallorca claimed their first away win of the season after a goal 15 minutes into the second half by Gonzalo Castro guided Los Rojillos to a 1-0 victory over Osasuna in La Liga on Sunday.

Aritz Aduriz and Jose Luis Marti were influential in attack for the visitors throughout and they dealt easily with all Osasuna had to offer as they kept up their bid for European football.

Juan Albin scored twice as Getafe beat Tenerife 2-1 at home for their third Primera Division win in four games.

The Uruguayan netted either side of half-time to put the hosts in complete control before Juanlu gave Tenerife hope late on.

Deportivo La Coruna came from a goal down to rescue a useful point at struggling Almeria and keep themselves in the race for a place in European competition next season.

Following a lively first half in which both sides missed good chances, Hugo Sanchez's men went in front just short of the hour mark, through Kalu Uche.

They were unable to hold onto their lead, though, and were forced to settle for a point following Pablo Alvarez's leveller 16 minutes from time.

Malaga remain rooted in the relegation zone after being held to their fifth successive Primera Division draw against fellow strugglers Real Valladolid.

Seeking a first win since their impressive 3-0 defeat of Atletico Madrid on the opening weekend of the campaign, second-bottom Malaga held a half-time advantage thanks to Sergio Duda's well-struck goal.

The Andalusians were unable to hold on, though, and 14th-placed Valladolid earned a share of the spoils when Malaga defender Jesus Gamez inadvertently headed into his own net midway through the second half.

Racing Santander came from behind to see off a spirited Xerez 3-2 in an entertaining encounter at El Sardinero to move out of the relegation zone.

Bottom club Xerez scored twice away from home for the first time this season and took the lead through Mario Bermejo after just two minutes.

But Racing hit back through Mehdi Lacen after 25 minutes and the Cantabrians took the lead shortly into the second period when Manuel Arana struck.

Xerez came back again though, when Antonito equalised halfway through the second period, only to lose out to Alex Geijo's late header eight minutes from time.

On Saturday Barcelona needed a dubious penalty decision six minutes before half-time to overcome city rivals Espanyol 1-0 in the Catalan derby on Saturday evening.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic rifled home the spot-kick after Xavi had gone down far too easily in the area, and the Swede's strike proved enough to give Pep Guardiola's side all three points against a limited Espanyol outfit.

Barca dominated virtually from start to finish, but were missing their usual attacking verve in the absence of the injured Lionel Messi.

Substitute Ezequiel Garay headed home a late winner as Real Madrid came out on top 3-2 in a hard-fought clash with fellow high-flyers Valencia to keep the gap to Barca at five points with a game still in hand.

Garay, who had replaced Pepe just before half-time after the Portuguese international was stretchered off, did superbly to guide in Xabi Alonso's free-kick with seven minutes remaining.

All five goals came in a thrilling second half at the Mestalla with Garay's fellow Argentinian Gonzalo Higuain celebrating a late birthday by twice putting Madrid ahead only for hosts Valencia to hit back through goals from Spain international David Villa and Joaquin Sanchez

Athletic Bilbao provisionally moved into the top seven of the Primera Division by seeing off struggling Real Zaragoza thanks to two second-half goals at La Romareda.

Mikel San Jose and Markel Susaeta netted the goals, both of which were set up by teenage substitute Iker Muniain, as Athletic bounced back from last weekend's 2-1 home defeat to Valencia to move above Sporting Gijon, who face a tough home match with Sevilla tomorrow.

The victory means upwardly-mobile Athletic have now won five and drawn three of their last nine competitive matches since their dismal run of six defeats in eight.