Villa goals ensure Valencia victory

Valencia CF joined Villarreal CF at the top of the Spanish Liga after two David Villa goals helped them to a 4-2 win against RC Deportivo La Coruña.

Mata heroics
Villarreal's 1-0 victory at point-less Sporting Gijón had given them the outright lead on Saturday night but Valencia have now joined their neighbours on 13 points from five games, one ahead of Real Madrid CF, who also won yesterday. Deportivo struck first at the Mestalla, Emiliano Moretti deflecting Pablo Álvarez's cross into his own net, but Juan Mata equalised on 34 minutes as he headed in Joaquín's centre. Mata turned provider three times in the second half, twice setting up Villa either side of returning the favour for the equaliser to Joaquín. Although Ángel Lafita pulled one back late on, Valencia's win was secure.

Sevilla success
Club Atlético de Madrid could have moved to within a point of Valencia by beating Sevilla FC in the late game but instead fell to Luis Fabiano's 21st-minute goal in a 1-0 defeat that moves the visitors into fourth place. Sevilla are now a point ahead of Saturday winners Barcelona and UD Almería, who prevailed 1-0 against RC Recreativo de Huelva thanks to Álvaro Negredo's last-gasp strike.

Late winners
Getafe CF are on eight points, also leaving it late to secure a 1-0 success at Athletic Club Bilbao through Javier Casquero, and they are joined on their tally by RCD Mallorca, who came from behind to beat Real Racing Club Santander with three minutes left thanks to Pierre Webó. Elsewhere, Málaga CF picked up a first victory of the season, 2-1 against Real Valladolid CF, and are now level on four points with CA Osasuna and CD Numancia, who drew 0-0.