On-song Valencia outclass Osasuna

MADRID (AFP) - – Valencia reclaimed fourth place with a convincing 3-1 away victory at nine-man Osasuna on Sunday and are now just four points behind league leaders Real Madrid.

Valencia recorded their fourth successive league win largely thanks to two goals in the first 20 minutes from David Villa and David Albelda, before Carlos Marchena wrapped up the points with a third.

Villa opened the scoring after just six minutes using an outstretched boot to flick in a lofted pass for his ninth goal of the season extending his lead at the top of the scoring charts to two goals.

Albelda scored with a fine chip on 20 minutes before Marchena thundered a volley in off the underside of the crossbar to sink Osasuna in the second half.

"This is a tough place to come and we played really well to win the game," said Albelda. "We are growing as a team and just have to keep going the way we are and see what happens."

Osasuna had top-scorer Walter Pandiani harshly sent off on 64 minutes for collecting a second yellow card and Miguel Flano got a straight red for kicking out at Valencia substitute Ever Banega late on.

Earlier in-form Brazilian forward Nilmar scored a brace to help slow-starting Villarreal climb into mid-table with a 3-1 home win over Valladolid on Sunday.

Nilmar had scored in both of Brazil's last two international games - against England and Oman - and continued his purple patch with two more goals.

Argentine Damian Escudero centred for Nilmar after just six minutes and the Brazilian headed a second two minutes after the break for his third goal of the season as he begins to repay his club record 11 million euro fee.

Villarreal had their worst ever start to a season in the top-flight with just three points from the first six matches but have bounced back to push up the standings plundering 14 goals in their last four games.

"Despite the result it wasn't easy," said Villarreal coach Ernesto Valverde.

"I liked what I saw of my team and think we were better so we are happy with how we played as well as the result."

Elsewhere Real Mallorca maintained their perfect home record making it six wins from six at their Ono Stadium with a late 3-1 victory over Almeria.

Substitute Victor and Gonzalo Castro both scored in the final two minutes as Mallorca stay sixth in the table.

"We took our chances and they didn't take theirs - that's what made the difference," said Mallorca manager Gregorio Manzano.

In other matches, goal-shy Xerez drew 0-0 with Sporting Gijon to stay second from bottom of the table while Sporting are a creditable seventh.

Malaga continue to prop up the table after a heated 1-1 draw with Real Zaragoza which saw both teams reduced to ten men.

Zaragoza went in front through a highly-disputable 49th minute penalty after Angel Lafita went down theatrically and Brazilian Ewerthon converted the spot-kick.

The game got ugly in the second half and there were two expulsions in as many minutes with Zaragoza left back Javier Paredes awarded a second yellow on 58 minutes for a robust challenge.

Two minutes later Malaga's Weligton got a straight red for lashing an arm at Raul Goni as he jostled for space in the penalty area.

Malaga equalised to set up a frantic finale containing yellow cards, diving and complaining before Lafita almost won it hitting the post in the final minute.

On Saturday Barcelona were supplanted by Real Madrid at the top with the latter now holding a one-point advantage over Barcelona ahead of next Sunday's 'El Clasico' at Camp Nou.

Real defeated Racing Santander 1-0 at home to move to the summit and Barcelona failed to respond drawing 1-1 at Athletic Bilbao to surrender top spot ahead of the biggest league fixture of the season.

Both teams have important Champions League commitments prior to the Clasico with holders Barcelona hosting Inter Milan on Tuesday and Real entertaining FC Zurich on Wednesday.