La Liga: Valencia win, five-star Villarreal shine

Valencia continued their fine start to the season after seeing off bottom club Malaga thanks to a second-half goal from defender David Navarro.

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David Navarro is congratulated by David Villa (L) and Juan Manuel Mata

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Navarro headed home Pablo's deep cross in the 69th minute after 'keeper Gustavo Munua had misjudged it to help Valencia, who have now won nine of their 15 competitive games - including two Europa League play-off matches - while losing just once, climb back up to fourth and to within five points of leaders Barcelona.

Villarreal romped to a 5-0 victory at home to promoted Tenerife on Sunday, adding weight to the belief that they are finally turning the corner after their poor start to the La Liga campaign.

Ernesto Valverde's side, who only registered their first league win against Malaga last weekend, were quickly in front at the Madrigal when Joseba Llorente battled through to score early on.

Robert Pires, Giuseppe Rossi and Llorente again scored in quick succession just after the break, and Cani arrived at the back post to net the fifth at the end. Villarreal climbed to 13th with nine points from nine games.

"There was pressure on us to win and in the end we logged a 5-0, but it wasn't easy," Valverde told reporters. "It's a good result but we have to keep our feet on the ground."

Espanyol saw their hopes of a fourth Primera Division win of the season go up in smoke as a 94th-minute equaliser earned Valladolid a 1-1 draw. The Catalans went ahead through Luis Garcia after 51 minutes and looked to be heading to a hard-fought victory as time ticked away, but Haris Medunjanin snatched a point with a screamer deep into added time.

Cameroon striker Pierre Webo earned Real Mallorca their fifth consecutive home win in a 1-0 victory over Racing Santander. Gregorio Manzano's island outfit find themselves in exclusive company in the upper echelons of the table and they again proved too strong at Son Moix thanks to Webo's 18th-minute goal.

Real Zaragoza moved up to 12th place in the Primera Division after recording a 2-1 win over a lacklustre Almeria outfit. Marcelino Garcia Toral's side went ahead through Angel Lafita just short of the half-hour mark and Ruben Pulido put the hosts two up after 35 minutes.

And although Juanma Ortiz quickly pulled a goal back for Almeria, the Andalusians were unable to make further inroads against a Zaragoza side that held on comfortably for their third win of the season.

In the late game, Deportivo La Coruña drew 1-1 with Sporting Gijon. Lassad Nouioui stabbed the ball home from close range in a goalmouth scramble to give the hosts the lead, before Diego Castro Gimenez was sent through and rounded stricken goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubía to give Gijon a point.