Leaders Málaga lost 2-1 to regional neighbours Córdoba on Saturday evening, their first defeat in ten games. Cheli connected with Baha's cross to put them ahead on the stroke of half time, and although Arthuro equalised three minutes in to the second half after a good team passing move, the locals were left with ten men when Ito was sent off. However Pablo Ruíz headed the winner later on following a corner for the Andalusians first home victory since November.

Castellón moved up to third pending Sunday's games after beating Gimnàstic 3-1, their fifth win in a row under new coach Pepe Murcia. López Garay headed them into an early lead after Mora set him up, and Nàstic's new signing Moisés was sent off with only half an hour gone. Tabares headed a second ten minutes after the break from Arana's cross, and although Calle got one back following a corner, Tabares got his second of the night a few minutes later to wrap things up. The Catalans have not won now in twelve games, and they could end the weekend in the relegation spots.

Down at the bottom, Las Palmas stayed clear of the relegation spots after a 2-2 draw with an improving Racing Ferrol. The game got off to an electrifying start, Marcos Márquez opening the scoring in the first minute, but Pereira equalising a minute later and Medina putting the Galicians ahead from Alvaro Antón's pass seven minutes after that. Trashorras went close a couple of times, but it was not until seven minutes from the end that the Canary Islanders saved a point, Cristian scoring following a Trashorras free kick.

Alavés also moved away from the danger zone with a late 1-0 win over Sevilla Atlético. Both sides had chances in the first half, but Aganzo and Raúl Sánchez both had efforts cleared after the restart. The game appeared to be heading for a draw though before Toni Moral beat Javi Varas with an injury time free kick. (09.02.08)

Elche moved up into third spot after beating last weekend's incumbents Sporting Gijón 3-1 on Sunday lunchtime. Cobo opened the scoring in the fifth minute from the penalty spot after Pedro tripped Noel-Williams, and although Barral fired home the equaliser soon afterwards, Raúl Martín restored the lead midway through the first half with a header against the run of play. Cobo hit the bar before the break, but Bilic hit the post before José Vega wrapped things up with a second penalty after Cámara brought down Vega himself near the end.

Numancia are back on top after a 0-3 win at Xerez on Sunday evening. Jordà headed them into the lead shortly before the break, and after Aythami had a goal disallowed, the locals had Navas and Verdés sent off a couple of minutes or so either side of half time. And Del Pino and Carmelo added two more later on following quick counter-attacks, the first heading past Porato and the second with a low shot. The Andalusians stay in the relegation zone, and coach Casuco was fired soon after the end of the match after only thirteen games in charge.

Real Sociedad are just a point outside of the top three after a 0-1 victory at Poli Ejido. The Basque side dominated the first half, but couldn't beat Alvaro Iglesias throughout the first half, Martí firing a free kick just wide, Díaz de Cerio and Aranburu going close and new signing Nacho hitting the bar. Toedtli shot just wide for the hosts shortly before the break, but on the hour mark Díaz de Cerio scored what was to be the winner after another new boy Víctor set him up.

Celta lost ground on the leading group though after losing 2-1 at Eibar. Diego Costa gave the Galicians a ninth minute lead after picking up a pass from Antonio Nuñez, but Goiria equalised early in the second half after Carmelo set him up, and after Lequi was sent off for a second bookable offence, Altuna got the winner following a corner with ten minutes to go.

Elsewhere Tenerife moved up to ninth after a 2-0 victory over Granada 74. Oscar Pérez opened the scoring near the end of the first half after Nino and Manolo Martínez combined to set him up. Juanlu and Crespí came close to equalising after the restart, but with the game in injury time Nino picked up a pass from Oscar Pérez to score his side's second.

Salamanca and Cádiz remain in mid-table as well after drawing 1-1. Both sides could have scored before the break, but the Andalusians went ahead on the stroke of half time, new signings Natalio and Bangoura combining for the latter to get his first goal for his new club. It looked as if the visitors would take the three points until David Rodríguez headed home a Dani López cross with a couple of minutes to go.

Albacete and Hércules also drew 1-1, a result which takes the Manchegans out of the bottom four to the detriment of Nàstic. Both goals came from the penalty spot in the first half, Farinós putting the locals ahead after Mainz handled in the area, and Barkero equalising for the visitors after César brought down Alustiza. As well as awarding the two penalties, the much criticised referee Pérez Montero also sent off local keeper Jonathan for handling outside of the area and visiting midfielder De los Santos for a second bookable offence after the restart, and disallowed a late goal by Hércules for a foul on substitute keeper Valbuena. (10.02.08)