The second division was thrown on it's head this weekend, with favourites Atlético Madrid losing their third match out of three, this time against Jaén who move up into second place with maximum points. Paradoxically Jaén were one of the favourites to go back down this season having only spent one brief year in the second division A in the last twenty, but they surprised Atlético with a headed goal from an unmarked Puche in the second half to take their third 1-0 victory in a row. The match was watched by Atlético's controversial club president Jesus Gil, and manager Fernando Zambrano must be wondering how much time he has left to turn things round. Jaén share top spot with Sevilla, the only one of the three relegated teams to show any form in early season. They met Elche in a top-of-the-table clash, and came away with the winners spoils after a last minute goal by youngster Gallardo. Ealier Taira had given them the lead, but Nino had levelled the scores with his third of the season.

The top two have opened up a two point gap over three clubs, Levante, Leganés and Recreativo Huelva. Levante scored twice in the first half to take a comfortable win against novices Universidad Las Palmas, with Roa and last season's top scorer Salillas getting the goals. Leganés came back from a goal down against newly promoted Murcia to win 3-2, and Recreativo won their local derby against Córdoba with a first half goal by Benítez. They are a point ahead of Elche and Tenerife, who slaughtered Getafe 0-5, with five different players getting their names on the scoresheet.

Two of the promotion favourites finally got their first wins this weekend, with Betis going two goals ahead in the first half against Racing Ferrol, (the first a cracker from new signing Amato), then struggling to hold on, and Salamanca cruising through to a 0-3 victory against Lleida, with two from on-loan Atlético Madrid youngster Pepe Domingo. Sporting Gijon also got their first win, 2-0 against another of the top sides Extremadura, with Russia's Lediakhov returning to the side and combining well with his fellow countryman Tcherychev. Two away wins in the remaining two games, with Eibar winning at Albacete 1-3, with two from Olano, and Badajoz defeating Compostela 0-1 with a late second half goal.