La Liga round-up

Real Madrid's recent revival continued as Michael Owen scored in a 2-0 win at Malaga.

The triumph takes Real into second place in La Primera as they chase leaders, and arch rivals, Barcelona - the gap between the two is now back down to seven points.

Real took the lead at La Romareda when Luis Figo converted a penalty on 23 minutes - although it did appear that Gerardo's foul on Zinedine Zidane for the award was outside the box.

Owen, who came on as a second half substitute, secured the game with a second 12 minutes from time, finishing clinically after good work from Michel Salgado.

Claudio Ranieri's problems at Valencia show no sign of abating after his troops slipped to a shock 1-0 defeat at Getafe.

It means the Mestalla outfit have not won in five Primera outings, and now slip to sixth in the table.

The victory was only Getafe's third of the season, and was secured by Michel's solitary strike after just 17 minutes when his free kick deceived everyone and crept in at the near post.

Marco Di Vaio saw a late goal chalked off for handball, and Getafe clung on for a memorable success.

While Valencia's fortunes continue on a downward spiral, local rivals Levante go from strength to strength.

The promoted outfit have now moved to the heady heights of third spot after a resolute 1-0 triumph over Athletic Bilbao.

Jesus Jesule was the hero for the home side, heading in a Vladimir Manchev corner midway through the second period to secure the points.

Sevilla lost ground on leaders Barcelona following a disappointing 1-1 home draw with lowly Mallorca.

The visitors seemed to be inspired by the arrival of new coach Hector Cuper and fought bravely to claim a point.

Sevilla seemed set for victory as they took the lead after 71 minutes when Antonio Lopez fired home after good build-up play from Julio Baptista and Carlitos.

The Islanders replied seven minutes later although there was more than a slice of good fortune to the equaliser as Jesus Pereyra's shot came off Baptista's head and found its way into the net.

Espanyol maintained their good form with a 2-0 away win at Real Sociedad.

Argentine midfielder Maxi Rodriguez was the Catalans' match-winner with two second half strikes.

His first came six minutes after the break when he raced on to a through ball to loft home over stranded Sociedad goalkeeper Asier Riesgo, and he made sure of the points 12 minutes from time with a thumping right-foot effort from the edge of the area.

Atletico Madrid left it late to claim a share of the spoils from their game with Real Zaragoza at the Vicente Calderon.

Savio put the visitors in front after just two minutes with a neat finish from David Villa's pass, but Salva pounced with seven minutes left to knock home a rebound and clinch a point.

Villarreal comfortably overcame Osasuna with a 3-0 victory at El Madrigal.

Two goals in two minutes towards the end of the first half all but ended the game as a contest.

On 37 minutes Juan Roman Riquelme converted from the penalty spot after Josetxo had fouled Jose Mari, and moments later Gonzalo Rodriguez thumped home a header from a Riquelme free kick.

Riquelme then put a gloss on the score-line midway through the second period when he collected a Hector Font pass and stylishly beat Ricardo Sanzol.

Racing Santander put more breathing space between themselves and the drop zone by beating basement boys Numancia.

Fernando Moran opened the scoring on 67 minutes, slotting home after a fine lay-off from David Aganzo.

Javi Guerrero made the game safe five minutes from time with a superb finish from a Yossi Benayoun pass.

Match summaries:
Atletico Madrid 1-1 Real Zaragoza
Getafe 1-0 Valencia
Levante 1-0 Athletic Bilbao
Malaga 0-2 Real Madrid
Racing Santander 2-0 Numancia
Real Sociedad 0-2 Espanyol
Sevilla 1-1 Mallorca
Villarreal 3-0 Osasuna

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