MADRID, Dec 17 (Reuters) - Brief reports of matches played in the Primera Liga this weekend:
ATLETICO MADRID 1 GETAFE 0Atletico moved into Champions League territory after this narrow win over neighbours Getafe. Portugal midfielder Maniche got the winner midway through the first half with a diving header after Fernando Torres had skipped past centre-back Alexis and clipped in a fine cross from the byline. - - - -
ESPANYOL 0 REAL MADRID 1Real played little in the way of fluent football, but they managed to come away with their first win in three seasons at Montjuic thanks to a sharp strike from Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The Dutchman spun outside a defender and tucked a shot low into the corner at the start of the second half and Real held on despite having centre back Fabio Cannavaro controversially sent off four minutes later when he was wrongly adjudged to have handled the ball. - - - -
LEVANTE 1 CELTA VIGO 1Celta got off to a flying start when Fernando Baiano put them ahead with barely a minute on the clock, taking his tally for the season to eight goals when he curled a great shot beyond the reach of Levante keeper Jose Molina.
But Levante earned themselves a valuable point when centre back Alvaro fired home a bullet header early in the second half. - - - -
REAL SOCIEDAD 3 GIMNASTIC TARRAGONA 2Sociedad finally managed to notch up their first win of the season, but they did it the hard way, twice coming from behind before making off with the points.
Centre back Miguel Angel Llera put Gimnastic in front with a glancing header but Sociedad equalised at the start of the second half when Nastic defender Mingo put through his own net.
The visitors restored their lead less than a minute later when Ruben Castro drilled in after beating the offside trap, but Sociedad won through thanks to a header from centre back Juanito and a well-taken volley from midfielder Diego Rivas. - - - -
RECREATIVO HUELVA 1 SEVILLA 3Sevilla took advantage of Barcelona's absence at the Club World Cup to reclaim the leadership with an 11th win of the season.
They took the lead in controversial fashion when Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano netted from the penalty spot after winger Antonio Puerta had dived in the area.
Recre levelled soon after thanks to a fine header from midfielder Jesus Vazquez, but a 12th goal of the season from the in-form Frederic Kanoute and a neat finish from tricky winger Jesus Navas assured them of the win that not even the dismissal of centre back Aitor Ocio could prevent. - - - -
VILLARREAL 1 OSASUNA 4Osasuna continued their recent revival with a fourth win in a row against an out of sorts Villarreal.
Cameroon striker Pierre Webo put the visitors in front when he nodded home, Iran midfielder Javad Nekounam doubled their lead before the break with another fine header and midfielder David Lopez made it 3-0 from the penalty spot.
Cani pulled one back for Villarreal with a great strike on the hour, but midfielder Juanfran wrapped up an emphatic win when he stole in at the near post 20 minutes from time. - - - -
Played Saturday:
DEPORTIVO CORUNA 0 ATHLETIC BILBAO 2Bilbao eased their relegation worries with a second win in row under new coach Mane, while Depor are now only three points ahead of them after an eight-match winless streak.
Midfielder Javi Martinez scored both goals, his first a glancing header from a corner in the eighth minute and his second a late strike after he broke down the left soon after Depor centre back Juanma had been sent off for a second booking. - - - -
REAL MALLORCA 1 RACING SANTANDER 2Mallorca made a bright start and took a deserved lead when Serbian forward Bosko Jankovic tucked away a neat half volley in the 17th minute.
Racing centre back Ruben equalised in the second half when he nodded in unmarked at the far post and midfielder Javier Balboa earned his side three points when he put the finishing touch to a devastating break two minutes from time. - - - -
REAL ZARAGOZA 0 VALENCIA 1Zaragoza threatened to overrun Valencia in the first half as they laid siege to their area and peppered their goal with shots.
But their hopes of keeping the pressure on the leading trio suffered a major setback when Valencia winger Miguel Angel Angulo netted with a spectacular 30-metre drive four minutes before the break and they never recovered from the blow. - - - -
Note:Real Betis v Barcelona has been postponed until Jan. 24 because of Barca's involvement in the Club World Cup.
