Spain round-up: Valencia dispatch Rayo to go top

Valencia CF went top of the Primera División on Sunday thanks to a resounding 3-0 defeat of Madrid side Rayo Vallecano. The unbeaten Mestalla team have ten points, the same as RC Celta de Vigo and Real Sociedad, but lead the way on goal difference.

Mista magic
Striker Mista, restored to the starting lineup after scoring in the 3-0 UEFA Champions League victory against FC Spartak Moskva, struck the opener on 24 minutes, Rubén Baraja added the second with a penalty just before the break and Miguel Angulo had the final say from a free-kick.

Celta draw
Celta failed to secure their fourth successive win after a 2-2 draw with Málaga CF, going a goal down in front of their home fans on 15 minutes when Kizito Musampa struck his fifth goal of the season. Former Málaga striker Catanha levelled from the penalty spot eleven minutes later after Josemi handled a Gustavo López cross, and Argentinian defender Eduardo Berizzo directed in a fine glancing header to give the home side a 2-1 lead in the 39th minute.

Short-lived celebrations
Celta's celebrations, however, were cut short when Málaga equalised two minutes later, Uruguayan international Dario Silva forcing defender Fernando Caceres to turn the ball into his own net when he hit a pass to Panamanian international Dely Valdés.

Sociedad impress
Real Sociedad continued their impressive start to the season and moved third when Russian midfield player Dimitri Khokhlov headed in a late winner in a 3-2 defeat of Club Atlético Osasuna.

First points
In the remaining games, three clubs collected their first points of the campaign - RCD Mallorca beat Athletic Club Bilbao 2-0, while RCD Espanyol drew 0-0 with Sevilla FC and RC Recreativo de Huelva shared the points in a 1-1 draw with Club Atlético Madrid at the Vicente Calderón stadium, with both sides missing penalties and reduced to ten men.

Barcelona defeat
On Saturday, Real Betis Balompié gave FC Barcelona a shock by beating them 3-0, Real Madrid CF were held 1-1 by Real Valladolid and RC Deportivo La Coruña defeated Deportivo Alavês 2-1.