Atletico Madrid's miserable season continued as they suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat at Osasuna to heap further pressure on coach Abel Resino. With only six points now from seven games, Atletico - who left capable striker Diego Forlan out of the squad - slipped to 15th in the table, one point clear of the relegation zone.

A brace of headers from veteran goalscorer Walter Pandiani rocked the capital club on their heels and Carlos Aranda added another for good measure in the 30th minute.

Xerez won the basement battle against Villarreal 2-1 to finally register their first victory of the season. Last season's Segunda Division champions have looked hopelessly out of their depth in the first few weeks of the new season, but this win moves them off the bottom with Villarreal replacing them at the foot.

It started well for the visiting side with Robert Pires putting them ahead in the 18th minute. Xerez hit back through Mario Bermejo just before half-time with Antonito grabbing the winner with ten minutes to go.

"It's a first small step, but very important mentally," said Xerez coach Jose Ziganda. "It was a tough game and we were made to suffer as they had some clear chances. However, we had some luck today that we didn't have in previous matches."

Real Mallorca maintained their perfect home record in league play with an impressive 3-1 victory over Getafe. The Balearic side began the weekend in sixth spot after impressive early-season form and were looking to bounce back from a 4-1 away defeat to Sporting Gijon before the international break.

And Julio Alvarez's first-half strike plus a brace by Basque livewire Aritz Aduriz ensured a comfortable win over Getafe, who had also made a decent start to the campaign before today's limp loss. Juan Albin managed a late consolation.

It's a first small step, but very important mentally.

Xerez coach Jose Ziganda on his side's first victory of the season

Racing Santander produced a late fightback at La Romareda to come from two goals down to steal an unlikely point against Real Zaragoza. Zaragoza looked to be cruising after they went two up in the first half through Carlos Pavon and Javier Arizmendi. And that lead still looked in little danger with ten minutes left on the clock.

But two goals in the space of four minutes, courtesy of Mohamed Tchite and Oscar Serrano, knocked the stuffing out of the home side and spoiled what had looked to be a routine win for the hosts.

Gijon roll
Miguel De Las Cuevas struck twice as Sporting Gijon continued their fine early-season form with an impressive 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao in a northern derby.

Ivan Alonso struck a brace to give Espanyol a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tenerife and make light of the absence of striker Raul Tamudo. Tamudo is back from injury, but was left out of the squad following an unseemly contract wrangle with the Catalan club this week.

Almeria claimed a deserved first away win of the season to build on their respectable single-goal loss at Barcelona and add to Malaga's early-season woes with a 2-1 win. Two goals in a minute from Domingo Cismo and Fernando Soriano were ultimately enough to secure victory for the visitors, who had the opportunities to make the result much more comfortable.

Edinho's second-half strike gave the home side hope, but they failed to create a clear chance for an equaliser and were ultimately condemned to a fifth defeat in seven matches. Yesterday Valencia and Barcelona drew 0-0, Real Madrid beat Real Valladolid 4-2 and Deportivo La Coruna beat Sevilla 1-0.