LA LIGA MATCHDAY 2: Hercules shock Barcelona at Camp Nou (Highlights)

Barcelona 0 - 2 Hercules
(0-1) 26' Valdez, (0-2) 58' Valdez

No one can say they saw that coming. Unless your name is Esteban Vigo of course. When the Hercules manager stated midweek that his team would only be happy with a win in the Camp Nou, there was a deathly silence followed by howls of derision. No-one had won there last season so how on earth were newly-promoted Hercules going to. You'll be lucky if you're not on the end of a thrashing thought the rest of Spain. But had they read the history books? The last time Hercules were in the top flight, they did the league double over Barcelona. An own goal by Pep Guardiola in the Camp Nou to boot. And he committed another own goal today when he messed around with a winning formula to give a debut to Javier Mascherano, who had a miserable first half before being hauled off at half-time. A foul from the Argentine led to Hercules' opener, and in all fairness he was lucky not to be shown red having already been on a yellow. Another reckless purchase to rival big Zlatan?

Perhaps it was the fact that half his team had been involved in a meaningless friendly in Argentina days before. Maybe it was the herculean effort from keeper Juan Calatayud. But whatever it was, Barcelona were utterly incapable of breaking down a stubborn away backline. So it was left to Paraguayan striker Nelson Valdez, (remember the name!) to mark his debut in the grandest of manners with a clinical double which grabbed his side the points and the weekends headlines. David Trezeguet and young sub Kiko (the kid looked extremely useful in a late cameo) even had gilt-edged chances to make it three. A surreal match the like of which we probably won't see again too soon. How many times will you see Victor Valdes saving Barcelona from a hiding at home against a new boy in town? Massive slip for Barca and they now slide a point behind Real Madrid.

Real Madrid 1 - 0 Osasuna

(1-0) 48' Carvalho

You look at the Real Madrid line-up and it has GOAL written all over it. In Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema they have at least 60 goals a season guaranteed. Slightly surprising then that Real Madrid struggled past Osasuna with a goal from new centre back Ricardo Carvalho, so far the only man to get on the scoresheet for 'Los Merengues' this season. Higuain was once again wasteful infront of goal, while Cristiano struggled to get into the game on his return from an ankle injury. Mourinhos team still havn't got into their stride yet but they had enough to see off Jose Antonio Camachos predictably rugged team, with Mesut Özil wooing the Berbabeu crowd with a cultured home debut full of attacking vivacity which earned the ex-Bremen man a well-deserved ovation when he was subbed late on. But all that will matter to everyone connected to Real Madrid is that they are one point clear of eternal rivals Barcelona. Advantage Mourinho.

Athletic Bilbao 1 - 2 Atletico Madrid

(0-1) 10' Forlan, (0-2) 80' Thiago, (1-2) 88' Llorente

Atleti fly back to the top of the table with a performance that offered yet more evidence that this season they should be ironed on certs for a Champions League spot at least. Over the course of a season I'm still not convinced they'll quite have enough to challenge Barca and Real Madrid at the top but a new-found resilience in defence coupled with the usual attacking flair means they will be a match for anyone. Diego Godin looks a superb signing at the back and his assertiveness is rubbing off on Luis Perea and Antonio Lopez, players who thrive when high on confidence. After a superb goal from Diego Forlan and a header ten minutes from time by sub Thiago the points looked safe. But Athletic Bilbao pulled a goal back in the dying minutes through Fernando Llorente, courtesy of a flying run from the impressive De Marcos, to set up a tense finale but the late equaliser never materialised. Atletis first real test passed with flying colours, though the biggest test of all is just around the corner. Home tie v Barca.

Valencia 1 - 0 Racing Santander

(1-0) 45' Maduro

Unai Emery couldnt have imagined a better start to the season in his wildest dreams. But sometimes the loss of a couple of stars can galvanise a team, and the departures of Villa and Silva seem to have done just that. Valencia were dreadful in the first half but numerous saves from veteran keeper Cesar and a late goal from Dutch defender Maduro sent 'Los Che' in at halftime in the lead. If Racing had brought their shooting boots it could have been a rout, but they were no doubt left in the cupboard back in Santander. The second half saw the home side find their rhythm, but there were to be no more goals. Only an unfortunate injury to midfield showman Ever Banega soured a win that sees Valencia on six points from six.

Villarreal 4 - 0 Espanyol
(1-0) 23' Rossi, (2-0) 31' Valero, (3-0) 55' Rossi (p), (4-0) 77' Nilmar

Sevilla 0 - 0 Deportivo La Coruña

Sporting Gijon 2 - 0 Mallorca
(1-0) 47' Botia, (2-0) 86' D. Castro (p)

Real Zaragoza 3 - 5 Malaga
(0-1) 1' Fernando, (0-2) 7' Juanmi, (0-3) 27' Fernando, (0-4) 29' Juanmi, (0-5) 34' Quincy, (1-5) 40' Edmilson, (2-5) 68' Marco Perez, (3-5) 80' Ander Herrera

Getafe 4 - 1 Levante
(1-0) 5' Gavilan, (2-0) 10' Colunga, (2-1) 13' Rafa Jorda, (3-1) 90' Gavilan, (4-1) 90' Arizmendi

Almeria 2 - 2 Real Sociedad
(0-1) 8' Tamudo, (1-1) 21' Piatti, (1-2) 33' Sutil, (2-2) 90' Ulloa