The former Everton midfielder settled the game in the 54th minute when he smashed a low drive into the bottom corner of the net from 20 yards after being played in by David Villa.

Valencia are ahead of Villarreal on goal difference following the Yellow Submarine's 2-1 win over Real Betis on Saturday.

Sevilla are up to third after coasting to their fourth consecutive win, 4-0 at home to struggling Athletic Bilbao.

Frederic Kanoute, who scored both goals in their 2-0 midweek UEFA Cup win against Salzburg, got the ball rolling when he netted after 27 minutes.

Renato doubled Sevilla's lead with a header just before the interval and second-half goals from substitutes Adriano and Ernesto Javier Chevanton completed the rout.

Real Madrid are three points off the pace in fifth after twice coming from behind to draw 2-2 at home to Espanyol.

Raul Tamudo put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot in the 21st minute after he had been brought down by Gabriel Heinze, but the lead lasted barely two minutes before Raul drew the champions level.

Luis Garcia (31) restored Espanyol's lead when he slid in to convert Roman Martinez's low cross at the far post.

But Raul snatched his second equaliser on the stroke of half-time as Madrid failed to win a competitive match in front of their own fans for the first time since March.

The champions are level on points with fourth-placed Barcelona, who thrashed Atletico Madrid 6-1 on Saturday.

Sporting Gijon picked up their first points of the season in a shock 2-0 win against in-form Real Mallorca.

The islanders were stunned early on when Carmelo Gonzalez scored the opener for the visitors after 12 minutes.

Roberto Canella doubled the lead five minutes into the second half before Pierre Webo hit the post with a penalty after he had been fouled in the area by Sporting goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar.

Malaga produced an exhibition of classic counter-attacking football to thump regional rivals Recreativo Huelva 4-0.

Portuguese striker Eliseu Pereira gave the visitors the lead after just 38 seconds of play.

Morocco striker Nabil Baha doubled Malaga's lead six minutes before half-time and Antonio Tapia's side added to their tally just after the interval through Sergio Duda.

And Eliseu wrapped up an impressive win with his second of the afternoon after 62 minutes.

Almeria staged a superb late comeback to earn a 2-2 at Getafe, whose wait for a first home win of the season continues.

Getafe looked to be heading for all three points when substitute Ikechuwku Uche and captain Javi Casquero scored twice in four minutes midway through the second half.

But Almeria struck back to net twice in the dying minutes through headers from Alvaro Negredo and Chico to salvage a draw at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

Juan Valera struck in the third minute of injury time to give Racing Santander a 1-0 win at fellow strugglers Osasuna and lift the Cantabrian side out of the relegation zone.

Racing had already squandered a penalty when Ezequiel Garay missed from the spot following a handball by Jaroslav Plasil in the 38th minute, for which the Czech Republic midfielder was sent off.

But just as it looked as if Osasuna had done enough to hold on for what would have been a valuable point, Valera popped up with the winner.

Angel Lafita's goal was enough to give Deportivo La Coruna a 1-0 win as Numancia's woes continued.

Lafita headed Depor into the lead in the 13th minute and despite Numancia's pressing the hosts clung on to take a valuable three points.

Numancia only have four points, having not won since their shock opening day triumph over Barcelona, and dropped to 17th in the table.