Real Madrid took the honourary title of winter champions, leading the table by two points at the end of the first half of the season after drawing 2-2 at Valladolid. They still have a game in hand, against Zaragoza next Wednesday.

Deportivo go second after defeating Málaga 1-3 thanks to two late goals by Scaloni, and Barcelona are now third after a bad tempered 0-1 victory at Valencia. Luis Enrique and Carboni were sent off.

The top four have opened up a four point gap over Mallorca and Rayo Vallecano, who both drew 1-1 against Oviedo and Las Palmas respectively. The Canary Island side go up to seventh with the draw.

At the bottom, Osasuna and Real Sociedad drew 1-1, and Real catch up on Racing who lost 3-1 to Athletic Bilbao, for whom Urzaiz got a couple of goals.

Numancia move out of the relegation spots after surprising Alavés 0-2, and they close in on Celta who disappointed again with a 1-1 draw against on-form Zaragoza.

Espanyol defeated Villarreal 2-1 with Martín Palermo watching from the stands to move away from the danger zone for now. (21.01.01)