Salva makes Barça suffer

Salva treble
Barça, who are at home on Saturday, could hardly have prepared for the game in worse fashion, suffering a 5-1 defeat at Málaga CF in a contest which featured a classy hat-trick from Salva Ballesta. The striker scored from two counterattacks in the first 15 minutes before adding a third with a delicate chip in the second half.

Misery compounded
He was then substituted but his replacement, Diego Alonso, compounded Barcelona's misery by scoring with his first touch to put the home side 4-0 up. Barcelona pulled one back when defender Fernando Sanz put through his own net on 80 minutes, but Málaga restored their four-goal cushion when Manuel Canabal struck just before full time.

Derby duel
Meanwhile, Ronaldo and Raúl González helped Madrid reclaim first place, scoring stunning goals to give their side a 2-0 win against neighbours Club Atlético de Madrid in the capital derby at the Santiago Bernabéu. Ronaldo registered within 15 seconds with a brilliant solo effort before captain Raúl added a second 19 minutes later, heading in a pass from David Beckham.

Osasuna keep going
Madrid now lead the table on 30 points, two above Valencia CF who drew 0-0 at Real Sociedad de Fútbol on Tuesday, and three ahead of RC Deportivo La Coruña, who were held to a 1-1 draw at in-form Real Valladolid CF. This season's surprise package, CA Osasuna, move up to fourth, a further four points adrift, after a 1-0 victory away to the bottom club RCD Espanyol. Atlético dropped to fifth on 22 points.

Strugglers draw
Last night's other matches saw RC Celta de Vigo draw 2-2 at home against Albacete Balompié, and Real Betis Balompié held 1-1 by visitors Real Murcia CF.