RCD Mallorca edged in front in the fight for fourth place in the Liga with a 1-0 win against Villarreal CF that was made all the better by a 2-1 defeat for nine-man Sevilla FC.

The top three of FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF and Valencia CF all won on Saturday, leaving Sevilla in need of victory over Real Zaragoza to keep pace. However, they found themselves on the back foot on 31 minutes when Matteo Contini finished smartly inside the penalty area. Frédéric Kanouté delivered a swift riposte three minutes later by heading in a rebound off the crossbar, only for an Álvaro Negredo own goal (41) to restore Zaragoza's lead. Negredo was the first player to be sent off with nine minutes left but was soon followed by team-mate Marius Stankevičius (90) and Zaragoza's Adrián Colunga (90+2).

Mallorca took full advantage of Los Rojiblancos's slip with a narrow triumph that came courtesy of Nunes's 81st-minute goal. The island club are now a point clear in fourth spot. RC Deportivo La Coruña could also have leapfrogged Sevilla and drawn level with Mallorca but had Pablo Álvarez (38) dismissed in a goalless draw at Málaga CF and remain sixth.

CA Osasuna enhanced their mid-table standing with a 1-0 victory over CD Tenerife while Real Racing Club and Club Atlético de Madrid shared a 1-1 draw. Elsewhere, Xerez CD stay rooted to the foot of the table following a 3-2 reverse at Athletic Club and Real Sporting de Gijón had two men sent off in a 3-1 defeat at UD Almería, who were themselves reduced to ten.