Two late goals from David Villa gave Valencia a 2-0 win in Malaga and took his side back to the top of the Spanish Primera Liga on Thursday night.
A dull game came to life on the 70th minute as Villa, who had been a fitness doubt before the game, scored a close range header following a pass from Juan Mata.
Malaga has yet to score in four games this season and against a well organized Valencia defense, they never looked like getting back on level terms.
All that was left was for Villa to ensure the points with an individual goal in injury time.
Elsewhere, Almeria suffered their first defeat of the season away to Valladolid. The visitors had been unbeaten in their previous three games. But on Thursday they were below their best and second half goals from Alvaro Rubio and Medunjanin, who scored deep into injury time gave Valladolid their second home win of the season.
The goals came in the second half in Huelva as Recreativo drew 1-1 with Athletic Club Bilbao.
Recreativo must have thought they had a great chance of taking all three points when Javi Guerrero put them ahead with just 20 minutes left. However, four minutes later, David Lopez leveled for the visitors with a cross from the left that deceived Recreativo goalkeeper Asier Riesgo on his near post.
Finally Mallorca recorded their first victory of the campaign with a 2-0 home win against recently promoted Numancia. Jurado opened the scoring after 11 minutes and Webo wrapped up the points after 52 minutes.
The results leave Valencia top of the Primera Liga table, followed by Villarreal and Real Madrid, while Sporting Gijon, Malaga and Racing Santander are in the relegation places.
(Xinhua News Agency September 26, 2008)