Six matches were played on Saturday, with Albacete and Xerez topping the table pending Sunday's games after recording their third wins in a row. Xerez are in first position with a better goal difference after winning 0-2 at Poli Ejido, the first time they have taken the three points from the Santo Domingo stadium in ten years. Geijo opened the scoring when he headed in Ismael's cross with just over a quarter of an hour gone, but the visitors were let with ten men just a couple of minutes later when Bajic was shown a second yellow card. The locals had several chances, but their opponents went further ahead with a Luque penalty on the stroke of half time after Eger fouled Geijo. Visiting keeper Julio Iglesias kept his side ahead with a string of fine saves after the restart, and numbers were evened up when Raúl Medina was shown a straight red five minutes from the end.

Albacete beat Málaga 2-1, the first time in their history that they had taken the three points from their rivals. The locals had the better chances in the first half, with Biagini, Parri and David Sánchez going close, although Couñago and Calleja both tried their luck at the other end. The Manchegans took the lead though on the hour mark when Santi headed home Parri's free kick, and just three minutes later Biagini headed the second, again after Ferrón headed on a Parri free kick. Salva won himself a penalty which he converted with fifteen minutes to go, but the hosts held on for a good victory.

Málaga had won their first two games, as had Valladolid, who were beaten 1-0 on Saturday by Ciudad Murcia. Mendilibar's side were on top in the first half, with Alvaro Rubio in particular going close. But Six minutes in to the second half Gibanel got on the end of Luque's corner to head what was to be the only goal of the game, and Luque could have increased the lead a few minutes later. Valladolid ended the game with ten men after Rubio picked up a second booking, and Ciudad join their opponents on six points.

Elsewhere Alavés, Las Palmas and Castellón all won for the first time this season. Chuchi Cos returned for his third spell as manager at Alavés after Julio Bañuelos resigned with just two games under his belt, and he led his side to a 3-1 victory over Real Madrid Castilla. Toni Moral got the first after De Lucas set him up, and Jandro and new signing Ogbeche both hit the bar before Tebar headed the equaliser. Borja Valero hit the bar himself on the stroke of half time, but his side were left with ten men midway through the second half after Rodri was sent off for a foul on De Lucas, and Astudillo headed back the resulting Brandán free kick for Ogbeche to score. Carpintero added a third after good work by Jandro and Aloisi, leaving Michel's side down in the relegation zone with just one point.

A late goal from Marcos Márquez gave Las Palmas a much needed 2-1 win over Lorca. The Canary Islanders went ahead in only the eighth minute when Arriaga tapped in a cross from Nauzet. But Isaac took advantage of a hesitant defence to head the equaliser past Nacho González midway through the first half. Both sides had chances after that, but with eight minutes remaining Marcos Márque connected with another cross from Nauzet to get the winner.

Castellón beat Tenerife, also by 2-1, to record their first victory of the season. Aurelio hit the post with a free kick in the twelfth minute, and just a couple of minutes later Tabares opened the scoring after picking up a rebound from keeper Bernardo. The canary Islanders equalised a few minutes later though, Ayoze finishing off after Raúl Sánchez's effort came of the foot of Dealbert. With a draw seemingly on the cards, Xavi Moré won himself a late penalty, and Nakor stepped up to beat Bernardo for the winner. (09.09.06)

Cádiz hold on to third spot after drawing 1-1 with Real Murcia on Sunday lunchtime. Iván Alonso headed the visitors in to an early lead following a corner, but De Paula headed home the equaliser close to half time from Jonathan Sesma's cross. The visitors could have taken away the three points though when they were awarded a penalty after Armando brought down Tato, but the keeper guesssed correctly and saved Abel's spot kick.

Later in the day there were home wins for all four sides, including Numancia, who beat Elche 3-2 in an exciting match. The visitors went ahead when Peragón beat Juan Pablo on a quick counter-attack, and although Felipe equalised after the defence failed to clear a Julio Alvarez free kick, Alfredo restored the lead when the keeper could only block a shot from Miguel. Substitute Bolo made it all square again from Felipe's cross just four minutes after the restart, and Del Pino got the winner a few minutes later after Bolo set him up.

A David Barral goal early on gave Sporting Gijón a 1-0 victory over Ponferradina. The ex Castilla striker headed Gerardo's free kick past Rubio with a quarter of an hour on the clock, and Jorge could have increased the lead a few minutes later had his strike not been ruled out for a dubious offside decision. The most interesting event after that though was the breakdown of one of the sprinklers!

Hércules also won 1-0 against another of the newly promoted sides, Vecindario. The only goal of the game came late in the first half when Montenegro scrambled the ball past Keleman, a just reward after a period of domination in the first half. The Canary islanders improved though after the break, and substitute Villanueva in particular came close to equalising.

Finally Salamanca won 2-0 against Almería, a result which leaves Unai Emery's side at the bottom of the table without a point to their name. Most of the action came after the break, Carlos Vela opening the scoring two minutes in to the second half, cutting in from the right wing to beat Valerio. Bermejo had a goal ruled out for a borderline offside, but Braulio wrapped things up late on after another long run. (10.09.06)