Málaga are off to a best possible start this season, a 4-1 win over Córdoba taking them clear at the top of the table with maximum points. Rossato put them ahead with a free kick on the quarter hour mark, and although Cristian Alvarez headed one back from Julio Pineda's cross, Helder restored the lead before the break with a shot from outside of the area. Hidalgo beat Julio Iglesias from close up soon after the restart to make it three, and Baha rounded things off when he headed home Hidalgo's centre on the hour mark. Visiting defender Pablo Ruiz and his coach Paco Jémez were both shown red cards by the referee.

Last week's joint leaders Castellón were beaten 1-0 by Gimnastic, who themselves move ahead of their opponents up to second spot. The vagaries of the league calendar meant that the East coast side had to meet all three of last season's relegated sides in their opening three games, but this itme they met their match. Jandro got the only goal from the penalty spot soon after the restart, although there were protests from the visitors after a linesman ruled that Aurelio had deliberately handled in the area.

Celta are having serious problems getting going since being relegated last year, and they were beaten 0-1 at home by newly promoted Eibar. A side packed with new faces had several chances, especially from Quincy, Diego Costa and Manchev, who hit the post. But in the end they lost thanks to a late goal by Zurutuza following a cross from Medina, and coach Hristo Stoichkov is already under pressure having only taken one point in the first three games.

Meanwhile new boys Granada 74 got their first point on the board, a 4-1 victory over Tenerife taking them out of the relegation zone. Saizar opened the scoring for the locals in the sixth minute before Ayoze equalised from the spot after Benja had fouled Nino in the area. But N'Diaye got himself sent off shortly before half time, and Luque converted a second penalty five minutes after the restart when Nino handled in the area. Fagoaga made it three a few minutes later, and Paco Esteban sent the Motril crowd home happy when he connected with Aranda's cross to score his side's fourth soon afterwards. (08.09.07)

Málaga still lead the table at the end of day three, but five sides are tied on seven points, just two behind the Andalusians. Newly promoted Racing Ferrol are a surprise second after a 3-1 win over Las Palmas, a controversial free kick from the half way line by Jaime Junior putting them on their way with just over a quarter of an hour on the clock. Javi Rodríguez got a second with twenty minutes to go after good work by Jonathan Pereira, and Charpenet made it three from a direct free kick. Fukuda's late strike was scant consolation.

Numancia are third after coming from a goal down to win 2-1 against Xerez. Ramón gave the visitors the lead in the fourth minute with a header following a corner, but a quarter of an hour later Gorka Brit headed the equaliser from Carmelo's centre. And before half time Brit got the winner with a spectacular volley, his third of the season taking him joint top of the Pichichi chart.

Hércules and Sevilla Atlético are level with Numancia on points, Hércules beating Albacete 2-0 to leave the Manchegans in the bottom four. Farinós headed the first after Valbuena could only push out an effort from Tote a few minutes before half time. And Ferrón put through his own net early in the second half trying to clear a volley from the ex Spanish international. Substitute Rubén Navarro could have extended the lead when he hit the post late on, but by then the game was already over.

Sevilla Atlético won 1-0 against Alavés, a triumph which they dedicated to their ex team mate Antonio Puerta. The youngsters dominated right from the start, and Bernardo had to keep out Ismael before Casado opened the scoring with a well struck free kick shortly before half time. Mena felt himself unlucky not to have a penalty as the visitors pushed forward after the break, but Bernardo had to make a couple of late saves as the home side looked to score on the breakaway.

Real Sociedad followed in the footsteps of Celta, a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Poli Ejido leaving them without a point or goal in their first two home matches, albeit that they did win away last weekend. Jorge Molina got the only goal from Juli's cross late on to take the visitors out of the relegation zone and level with the Basque side in the table. After losing in the cup midweek as well, coach Chris Coleman is already under pressure from the unhappy home fans.

Cádiz recorded their second home win in a row, beating Salamanca 1-0. Gastón Casas headed home the only goal early on from Enrique's cross, but the Andalusians were lucky to still be ahead by the break after the referee (who sent off De Quintana in the last minute) ruled out a Dañobeitia goal for what he considered to be a hand ball. The result leaves Salamanca level with Alavés at the bottom of the table.

Elsewhere Sporting Gijón and Elche shared the points in a 1-1 draw. Barral headed the Asturians into the lead from Pedro's free kick midway through the first half, his third of the season keeping him level with Brit at the top of the Pichichi table. But Coelho headed the equaliser just six muntes after the restart, and Willy saved a point blank effort from Luis Morán in the last minute to ensure a point for David Vidal's side. (09.09.07)