Espanyol continue home run to go fifth

Espanyol maintained their 100 percent home record with a 1-0 victory over 10-man Osasuna at the Cornella El Prat Stadium on Sunday to go fifth in the Spanish top-flight.

Osasuna had to play 69 minutes of the match with one man fewer after defender Manuel Lolo was sent off on 21 minutes for a second yellow card and Espanyol went in front three minutes later through Alvaro Vazquez.

Espanyol, beaten 3-0 at Real Madrid on Tuesday, could not extend their advantage but held on to make it three wins out of three and move fifth two points behind third-placed Real Madrid.

Elsewhere Almeria won their first game of the season with a brace from Nigerian striker Kalu Uche ensuring a 2-0 win over 10-man Deportivo La Coruna 2-0 at the Riazor stadium.

Uche scored a quick-fire double, after four and 18 minutes, to put Almeria in control and Depor were reduced to ten men shortly before half-time when Argentine defender Diego Colotto was given a straight red card for hauling down compatriot Pablo Piatti.

Depor are yet to win this season and sit second from bottom of the table after scoring just two goals in their first five league matches.

In other matches, Real Mallorca defeated newcomers Real Sociedad 2-0 at home thanks to a brace from Fernando Cavenaghi.

Argentine striker Cavenaghi struck in the fifth and 62nd minute as Mallorca continued their unbeaten home record and have collected all seven of their points in front of their own fans.

Atletico Madrid host bottom side Real Zaragoza later on Sunday looking to get back to winning ways after one point from the last six losing to champions Barcelona and then drawing with league leaders Valencia.

“It has been a brutal schedule but we have come through,” said Atletico coach Quique Sanchez Flores. “Zaragoza are a difficult opponent and they have better players than it looks at the moment.”

Zaragoza are bottom of the 20-strong table with just two points as they wait for their first win of the campaign.

Sevilla have the chance to join third-placed Real on 11 points later on Sunday when they travel to promoted Hercules.

Sevilla coach Antonio Alvarez is still being questioned in some quarters despite a promising start in the league and Hercules boss Esteban Vigo admits he is dumbfounded by the criticism.

“I really don’t understand how a team that has taken eight points from a possible 12 would meddle with the coach and the team,” said Vigo.

Hercules have won just once this season — defeating Barcelona 2-0 at Camp Nou – and hope for another giant-killing act against Sevilla.

Valencia are the new league leaders after defeating Sporting Gijon 2-0 on Saturday to make it 13 points from a possible 15 and lie a point ahead of second-placed Barcelona.

Barcelona triumphed 3-1 at 10-man Athletic Bilbao on Sunday to move above rivals Real Madrid who drew 0-0 with Levante on Sunday to fall to third two points behind leaders Valencia.

On Monday Villarreal can move a point behind Valencia if they can notch a fourth successive league victory at Malaga.