All three games played on Saturday ended in draws, with Getafe coming from two goals down to square at 2-2 at home to Ciudad de Murcia. The Madrid based side started the day in a heady sixth position, but it looked as if they were heading for only their second defeat of the season when Güiza struck twice on the follow up, the first ten minutes before the break after a shot from Turu Flores was blocked by a defender, and the second after the restart when keeper Aragoneses failed to hold on to another effort from the ex Deportivo striker. But Uranga got on the end of Pachón's cross to pull one back five minutes later, and Michel levelled the scores after galloping half the length of the pitch to beat Tete.

Both Canary Island sides drew 0-0, and continue in the lower reaches of the table. Tenerife are currently without a manager after David Amaral resigned last week, and their game away at Almería ended score-less. It was not for the want of trying though, and the referee disallowed a goal for each side in the first half, Francisco's effort for the locals being ruled out for a borderline offside, and Andrade's at the other end for a supposed foul by Willy. Either side could have scored after the break, visiting keeper Baines shutting out Francisco and Keko wasting a couple of chances, but in the end a disappointing point apiece.

Las Palmas also drew their match 0-0 at home to Poli Ejido, despite the fact that new manager David Vidal put out an attacking line up with Changui and Rubén up front. Both keepers were in action in the first half, Kike saving twice from Rubén and Cicovic stopping an effort from Juanlu. And Cicovic made the save of the night after the break from Sierra. But otherwise the strikers were off target, and the Canary Islanders could join their opponents in the relegation spots if results go against them on Sunday. (10.01.04)

Numancia moved back to the top of the table after they held Alavés to a 1-1 draw in Vitoria on Sunday lunchtime. The Soria based side took the lead in the eighth minute when Juan Carlos Moreno's free kick caught Gaspercic off guard, but the locals equalised on the quarter hour mark when Edu Alonso dived to head home a cross from his namesake, Iván Alonso. De Lucas missed a chance to give Alavés the victory in the second half, and they had to settle for fourth place at the end of the weekend. The visitors ended the game with ten men after N'Kome was sent off for a second bookable offence in the last minute.

Málaga B kept up their hopes of survival with a 1-0 win over Eibar in their midday kick off. The visitors have been riding high in the league, and after a team packed with reserves drew in the cup against Real Madrid midweek they were full of confidence. However that didn't convert into goals, and the Andalucians gradually wore them down. Calderón got the only goal of the match from a free kick on the stroke of half time, and after that the locals controlled the game to take a vital three points.

Levante lost their top spot to Numancia on goal difference after the Valencia based side were surprisingly beaten 0-1 by Xerez on Sunday evening. Fresh from their victory over Barcelona in their first leg cup tie, the locals could have scored through Manolo early on. But Unanua saved the day, and Del Pino hit the bar at the other end later in the first half. And the visitors got their first away win of the season when Calle converted a penalty after Mena was brought down in the area after the break.

Meanwhile third placed Sporting Gijon took advantage to close the gap on the top two to a single point after a 0-1 win at promotion rivals Cádiz. Oli could have scored for the locals a couple of times in the first half, but Pablo Alvarez hit the post for the Asturians before the break and Bilic got the only goal from the penalty spot in the second half after he himself had been fouled. The hosts ended the game with nine men on the pitch after Suárez got a second booking and De Quintana was shown a straight red.

The story of the week though was at Leganés, where Argentine businessman Daniel Grinbank walked out on the club only a few months after taking over, leaving them to an uncertain fate. The Madrid based side bounced back though to win 1-2 against bottom club Algeciras, who are now eight points away from safety after the teams above them all picked up points. Visiting manager Carlos Aimar announced that this was his last game before returning to Argentina, and his side gave him a good send off, going two up at the break with a goal on the counterattack from Enría and a 30 yard Txiki free kick. Armentano pulled one back for the Andalucians, but to no avail.

Rayo Vallecano moved out of the bottom four, leaving their place to Las Palmas, after two injury time goals from Biagini and Idiakez gave them an exciting 2-3 win at Córdoba. New boy Iván Anía hit the bar for the visitors early on, but the Andalucians went in front when Christer George finished off after keeper Segura failed to clear Sierra's cross. Pablo Sanz headed the equaliser from a free kick on the half hour mark, but Pulpo González restored the lead from the penalty spot soon after the restart after Nico Olivera was fouled in the area.

Recreativo Huelva also moved away from the danger zone with a 3-0 win over Elche. All three goals came in the first twenty minutes of the match, with Toedtli scoring the first two, the opener following a corner and the second a header from a Benítez cross. Uche made it three and could have scored again after the break, as could Oscar Arpón and Albiol who both rattled the crossbar.

Terrassa climbed further up the table as well after a late goal gave them a 2-3 victory at Salamanca. Their recent good form has helped them to move four points clear of the relegation spots, although this time they considered themselves lucky to come away with all three points after being dominated for much of the match. Maikel and Gibanel put them two up in a three minute period in the first half, but Aurelio and Robert pegged them back after the break. But with the locals pushing for the winner Jordi Navas beat Stelea with a header to win the match. (11.01.04)