Atletico Madrid 0 - 2 Malaga(0-1) 3' Duda, (0-2) 70' Javi Lopez
Perhaps they had one eye on their Copa del Rey Semi-final this week, or maybe they took a visit from lowly Malaga too lightly. Either way Atlético Madrid fell to a morale-sapping defeat at the hands of a team that started the day in the relegation zone. Duda hit the first early doors after a teasing cross from the right by Gamez, slipping the ball past De Gea from a tight angle. Atlético had plenty of possession but failed to create any sort of sustained danger and they were punished on 70 minutes when Javi Lopez struck the fatal second. The Copa del Rey and a late push for Europe represents all thats left for Atléticos season.
Sevilla 2 - 1 Valencia
(1-0) 21' Negredo, (2-0) 69' Negredo, (2-1) 90' Navarro
The battle for the Champions League spots ended with Sevilla earning the bragging rights, and closing the gap on Valencia to three points. They also hauled themselves about Mallorca to give a familiar feel to the top four. Negredo set them on the way with a tap-in following a flick on from a corner. His second was sumptuous, as Jesus Navas added another assist to his repertoire back-heeling to Negredo who then chipped Cesar from outside the box. David Villa was nowhere to be seen, as Valencia only really woke up after going two down. They got the goal which keeps their goal difference above Sevillas with a late Navarro header but they will be bitterly disappointed in letting a chance to stamp their authority on third place slip.
Villarreal 0 - 2 Osasuna
(0-1) 15' Juanfran, (0-2) 85' Juanfran
A shocking defensive display from Villarreal, summed up by the hapless Ángel Lopez, sealed Ernesto Valveredes fate as he was sacked shortly after the match. Osasuna hit the 'Yellow Submarine' with two breaks that both found former Real Madrid youth teamer Juanfran slotting past Diego Lopez. Camuñas and Monreal tore Villarreal apart down the left, as the home side offered little in attack and even less in defence. Camacho will be delighted with two away victories on the bounce as Osasuna seem to be saving themselves from their annual battle against the drop. For Villarreal the search begins for a new boss.
Xerez 2 - 1 Mallorca
(0-1) 23' Webo, (1-1) 52' Calvo, (2-1) 78' Calvo
Chapin went wild as Carlos Calvo scored two superb goals to give Xerez hope in their search of a miracle escape from the drop. Webo put Mallorca ahead as he planted an excellent diving header past the depairing Renan, and they had the chance to effectively kill off Xerezs hopes when Undiano Mallenco pointed to the spot after Aythami had been adjudged to have felled Aritz Aduriz in the area. The striker picked himself up to take the spotkick, but Renan produced a fantastic dive to repell his effort and the comeback was well and truely on. Xerez have struggled for goals this year, but Calvos first was an absolute scorcher. There appeared to be little on when he picked up the ball a full 30 yards out but he unleashed a rocket that flew past Arouate. The second was just as good as he danced his way into the box before slotting past the keeper. Can they really do it? Their next game against Bilbao away and their home match against Real Madrid in two weeks may give us a clue.
Tenerife 1 - 3 Real Zaragoza
(1-0) 48' Juanlu, (1-1) 76' Suazo (p), (1-2) 79' Colunga, (1-3) 82' Lafita
Tenerife were left to rue their lack of threat infront of goal as they only had a goal from Juanlu to show for their domiannt first 50 minutes. But Real Zaragoza only needed six minutes to smash three past Aragoneses and seal a invaluable three points away from home. The first two came from their new signings: Suazo finding the net from the spot after Arizmendi was tripped in the box, and Colunga dinking the ball over the keeper to mark a dream debut for 'Los Maños'. Lafita left the result in no doubt when he struck an angled beauty from way out, as the battle against the drop took a new twist.
Real Valladolid 1 - 1 Almeria
(0-1) 12' Cruzat, (1-1) 80' Arzo
Getafe 0 - 0 Racing Santander