A win would have seen the Andalusian side move above Real Madrid and Valencia on goal difference after four rounds of matches.

It looked likely after Alvaro Negredo put them in front from the penalty spot after 13 minutes - but Racing hit back nine minutes into the second half with a deft lob from Pablo Pinillos

Nilmar's first half strike was enough to give Villarreal a narrow victory at home to Deportivo La Coruna and saw the Yellow Submarine move into the top four after four rounds of the Primera Division.

Nilmar's fourth goal of the season makes him the league's top scorer as Villarreal - having lost their opening match at Real Sociedad - go from strength to strength.

It is now three wins on the bounce for Juan Carlos Garrido's side and with games against Malaga, Racing Santander and Hercules ahead in the coming weeks, they will be confident of building on their positive start.

Malaga continue to enjoy life on the road after second-half goals from Jose Salomon Rondon and Antonio Apono gave them a deserved victory over Getafe in a game which saw both teams finish with 10 men.

Rondon opened the scoring in the 54th minute on a rainy night in Madrid before Apono doubled the lead eight minutes later from the penalty spot in an incident that also saw Getafe defender Rafa Lopez sent off.

The visitors only enjoyed numerical superiority for four minutes before they too were reduced to 10 men, captain Jesus Gamez getting his marching orders - but they survived even though Getafe pushed hard in the closing stages.