First division, day 9

Atlético Madrid beat Real Sociedad 4-0 in the last of the midweek games to move above their opponents to eighth in the table. Gregorio Manzano's side went in front when Nikolaidis rounded Westerveld to score in the twentieth minute, and Fernando Torres scored two more after the break, the first from the penalty spot, to give his team an unassailable lead. Simeone headed a fourth ten minutes from the end to ensure a third win in a row, the first time in six years that they have done so. (30.10.03)

Shock results in the midweek round of matches, with none of the top three able to win. Leaders Deportivo were surprised by struggling Mallorca, who put in their best performance of the season to beat the Galicians 0-2. Eto'o got the first goal from the penalty spot and Bruggink lobbed Molina for the second right at the end, Deportivo are still top though, a point ahead of their closest rivals.

Valencia failed to take advantage of Depor's slip, and their 2-2 draw with Celta leaves them still in joint second spot with Real Madrid. Aimar headed the home side in front just before the break, but second half goals from Berizzo and Jesuli turned the scoreline around before Canobbio saved a point for the locals.

Fourth placed Osasuna did take advantage though, and their 2-0 win over the team just behind them, Betis, consolidated their good start to the season. Moha took a return pass from Aloisi to open the scoring five minutes in to the second half, and substitute Muñoz added a second later on.

Barcelona moved up above Betis to fifth with a 3-0 win over Real Murcia. Saviola put them in front late in the first half, and Luis Garcia set up Xavi and Ronaldinho for two more after the break to give Rijkaard's side their first home win in the league this season.

Athletic Bilbao put last weekend's defeat behind them, coming from behind to beat Málaga 2-1. Diego Alonso replaced the injured Salva for the visitors and scored within three minutes of the kick off. But strikes in the second half from Urzaiz and Tiko gave the Basques the three points.

Sevilla and Valladolid cancelled each other out in a 1-1 draw. Darío Silva scored first for the Andalucians on the quarter hour mark, but Makukula equalised five minutes after the break. Both sides ended with ten men after Darío Silva and then Marcos were sent off with straight red cards.

Albacete moved a little further away from the relegation zone with a 2-0 win over Villarreal. As with most matches on Wednesday night, the goals came after the break, with Parri scoring the first and then setting up Basti for the second three minutes later.

Espanyol finally recorded their first win of the season, a 0-1 victory at Racing Santander, thereby saving Javier Clemente's job for the time being. The Catalans hardly had a shot on target all game, but substitute Oscar struck the winner seven minutes from the end from a free kick. He didn't make it to the final whistle though, getting himself sent off for a second booking late on. (29.10.03)

The midweek round of league games started off with a 0-0 draw between Zaragoza and Real Madrid. Despite the result it was a lively game, with scoring chances for the two teams. Both sides hit the woodwork, with Galletti hitting the post for the locals in the first half and Roberto Carlos doing likewise after the break. Raúl missed the chance of the game later on, and the visitors played out the last twenty minutes with ten men after Pavón picked up a second booking. The result leaves Madrid in second place pending the rest of the games tomorrow and the day after. (28.10.03)