Former Real Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini continued his winning start as new coach of Malaga after guiding the Andalusian side to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over fellow strugglers Levante in his league debut. Eliseu Pereira struck the only goal of the game in the 63rd minute as Malaga picked up their first home points of the season after five successive league defeats at La Rosaleda.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, returned to the top of the Primera Division with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Sporting Gijon. Argentina international Gonzalo Higuain tapped home from point-blank range in the 82nd minute to help Madrid record their sixth successive league win and climb back above Barcelona, who had moved two points clear at the summit with their 3-1 win over Villarreal last night.

Alvaro Negredo grabbed a late winner as ten-man Sevilla enhanced their top-four claims with a 2-1 win at Real Zaragoza. The visitors went ahead through Luis Fabiano after 29 minutes but half-time substitute Nicolas Bertolo equalised within four minutes of his introduction. But former Real Madrid striker Negredo struck with three minutes to go to hand Gregorio Manzano's side a victory which was achieved despite the 71st-minute dismissal of defender Fernando Navarro.

Hercules' two marquee signings were both on target as they defeated Real Sociedad 2-1. David Trezeguet and Royston Drenthe found the net to make Antoine Griezmann's opener worthless.

There were also a couple of goalles draws in Spain today with Real Mallorca holding Deportivo La Coruna and Espanyol failing to edge out La Liga strugglers Racing Santander.

In the day's late kick-off, Valencia picked up their first Primera Division win in five games courtesy of a comprehensive 2-0 victory against Getafe at the Mestalla. Tino Costa set the ball rolling for Unai Emery's men with a sublime volleyed opener while David Navarro made sure of the three points when he tucked home the second after the break.