Spain round-up: Valencia reclaim top spot

Fierce shot
Rafael Benítez's side consigned Barça to their first defeat of the season thanks to a spectacular first-half goal from Brazilian Ricardo Oliveira. The former Santos FC forward unleashed a fierce shot from the edge of the area in the 14th minute which left goalkeeper Víctor Valdés with no chance. Valencia proved the dominant force throughout and the home team's best chance of levelling was spurned by midfield player Luis Enrique just short of the hour.

Pandiani landmark
RC Deportivo La Coruña swept aside visitors Club Atlético de Madrid 5-1 on Saturday to stay second in the table. Walter Pandiani scored for the sixth league game running to surpass the record of Pahíño, who was on target in each of Deportivo's opening five matches of the 1954/55 campaign. Pandiani's historic goal made it 4-1 to the Galicians, who had gone ahead through Fran's early strike. Matías Lequi levelled soon after, but from there on it was all Deportivo. Romero made it 2-1, Sergio González hit the third and Lionel Scaloni slammed in the fifth.

Ronaldo show
Two second-half goals from Ronaldo ensured Real Madrid CF saw off RCD Espanyol 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu to remain in third place. The Brazilian put the home side ahead just after the break, slotting in after receiving a pass from Raúl González. Luis Figo missed a penalty soon after, but Ronaldo headed in a David Beckham cross to double the advantage before Álex Fernández struck a late consolation for Espanyol.

Real draw
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, who beat Galatasaray SK 2-1 in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, could only manage a 1-1 draw against Sevilla FC at the Anoeta stadium. Darko Kovacevic, who was on target against the Turkish side, hit the opener in the third minute but ten minutes later the visitors equalised through Darío Silva.

Tails up
Málaga CF collected their second consecutive win by defeating Champions League participants RC Celta de Vigo 2-1 at home. Defender Fernando Sanz opened the scoring in the 13th minute and Miguel Angel made sure of three points after Savo Milosevic's 71st-minute leveller.

No more Pacheco
RCD Mallorca fought out a 1-1 home draw with CA Osasuna in their first match since the sacking of former Boavista FC coach Jaime Pacheco. Both goals came in the 83rd minute, with Miguel Nadal striking for the hosts before Pierre Webò restored parity.

Other games
Villarreal CF and Real Zaragoza also drew 1-1 at the Madrigal on Saturday night with Víctor Manuel registering in the fourth minute before David Vílla equalised for Zaragoza midway through the first half. It was the same scoreline between Real Betis Balompié and Athletic Club Bilbao, Tiko putting the Basque side ahead just after half-time with his third goal of the season. The home team then equalised through Marcos Assunção. Finally, a sixth-minute goal from Michel was enough for Real Murcia CF to edge out Albacete Balompié 1-0.