Villarreal are Five-alive

The beast has been stirred. After a thoroughly abysmal start to the campaign, which almost cost new manager Ernesto Valverde his job, Villarreal are back. And it couldnt have come at a worse time for Tenerife, who saw the Yellow Submarine smash five past keeper Aragoneses, and were sent back to the Canary Islands with their tails fixed firmly between their legs. It wasnt all plain sailing for Villarreal, who took the lead through Llorentes' opportunistic strike after 14 minutes, but rode their luck a little until 46th minute for the second, when Robert Pires tapped in from close range. They then began to pick apart a poor Tenerife side, with Guiseppe Rossi sliding in a third, Llorente bagging his second with a header on the line after failing with an initial chip over the keeper and Cani volleying the fifth with two minutes remaining.

Zaragoza scored a 2-1 win over Almeria, but it came at a cost, with Pennant, Lafita, Ayala and Arizmendi all crocked during the encounter. The Romereda stadium was uncharacteristically subdued throughout, with little quality on offer from either side. Lafita showed glimpses of his undoubted ability and in the 29th minute began a nine-minute frenzy in which all three goals were scored. His strike came courtesy of a bit of pinball chaos in the Almeria area, with the ex-Coruna man slotting away whilst pretty much sat on the floor. Another set piece caused further panic amongst the Almeria defence, and this time it was Pulidos turn to tuck one away. Three minutes later Almeria had reduced the defecit, with a goal that had more than a hint of offside about it, Ortiz the beneficiary of the linesmans gift, but Zaragoza held on to score three vital points in their fight for a top-ten finish.

Valencia had to dig deep to find a way past Málaga, and after spurning several chances finally found a way through when full-back David Navarro took advantage of a lofted ball into the box, by squeezing inbetween defender and keeper to head in. Coach Unai Emery was seen dancing down the tunnel at full-time, and so he might with his side now only 5 points behind leaders Barca.

Mallorca continue to defy all those critics who predicted relegation during pre-season with another well-worked win against Racing Santander, with the goal a fantastic driven volley from inside the box on 19 minutes from Cameroon striker Webo. Thats 15 points from 15 for Mallorca at home, and the master tactician Gregorio Manzano cant be far away from a job further up the league table.

Espanyol were left to rue an appalling display from the referee and his linemen, as they were denied two one on ones and two penalties during their 1-1 draw with Valladolid. Luis Garcia scored his first on the season to put Espanyol ahead, but Valladolid equalised with practically the last kick of the match. The talented Medunjanin came off the bench with six minutes remaining and had already warned Espanyol with a superb free-kick which rattled the crossbar, when he drove an unstoppable shot in off the post from outside the area with seconds remaining.

In the final match of the weekend, Deportivo La Coruña dropped two points at home against Sporting Gijon, after taking the lead through Assads strike just before half-time. But with an incredible 8000 away fans cheering them on, Gijon ripped up the Riazor script and equalised after 70 minutes when Diego Castro took advantage of some odd goalkeeping from Aranzubia to slot in.

Tonights matches:

Villarreal 5 - 0 Tenerife
Zaragoza 2 - 1 Almería
Mallorca 1 - 0 Racing
Espanyol 1 - 1 Valladolid
Deportivo 1 - 1 Sporting