Granada proved stubborn for Messi and Villa, leading to a public spat

Real Madrid’s match with Rayo Vallecano was delayed under unusual circumstances, while Barca’s victory over Granada was marred by an apparent spat between Lionel Messi and David Villa.

RAYO VALLECANO 0-2 REAL MADRID

This match ended up being played on the Monday as opposed to the scheduled Sunday night, due to a strange case of sabotage.

Somebody had tampered with the floodlights at Las Vallecas, meaning the game scheduled for late on Sunday could not go ahead due to a lack of any lighting.

So the game was delayed 24 hours until the Monday and Real got their league season back up and running following a hard fought midweek victory over Manchester City in the Champions League.

Karim Benzema got the visitors up and running in the 13^th minute with a neat finish, and Cristiano Ronaldo made sure of the victory 20 minutes from time from the penalty spot after his cross was handled by Jordi Amat.

Ronaldo also scuffed onto the woodwork with the goal gaping a few minutes later, but Real recorded their second win of the season to lift them back into the top half of the table.

BARCELONA 2-0 GRANADA

Barca maintained their 100% record against Granada, but it was not plain sailing, as they came up against a dogged Granada defence and an inspired goalkeeping performance from Tono.

Time and time again, Tono denied Barcelona, creating a high level of frustration among the hosts, causing an on-pitch argument between Lionel Messi and David Villa.

But Barca finally made the breakthrough in the 87^th minute, as Xavi came up with a moment of magic, before Borja Gomez put the ball into his own net in stoppage time to seal the victory.

DEPORTIVO LA CORUNA 0-2 SEVILLA

Both of these sides came into this tie boasting unbeaten records and money could have been placed on a draw, given Depor’s penchant for the stalemate.

But Sevilla eventually broke down their hosts, as they made their domination in the second half count in the final 15 minutes, with Alvaro Negredo providing the breakthrough and Ivan Rakitic making sure of three points that lift Sevilla up to fourth.

ATLETICO MADRID 2-1 VALLADOLID

Atletico continued their fine start to the season with a hard fought victory over a spirited Valladolid following their Europa League excursions.

Diego Godin got the ball rolling after half an hour, and Radamel Falcao doubled the advantage on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot.

But as they did against Rayo last week, Atletico took their foot off the gas and Valladolid found themselves back in the game ten minutes into the second half, as Alberto Bueno netted.

There was to be no equaliser as Atletico held firm to maintain their unbeaten record, sitting fifth in the table, with a game in hand.

MALLORCA 2-0 VALENCIA

Mallorca are up to second in the table, as their fantastic start continued with a victory over a Valencia side that have yet to find their feet this season.

Goals from Victor and Javier Arizmendi early in either half proved enough to defeat Valencia, who remain in the bottom half having only achieved one victory from five so far under the new stewardship of Mauricio Pellegrino.

REAL BETIS 1-0 ESPANYOL

Betis manager Pepe Mel had been put under unnecessary pressure this week by club president Miguel Guillen, after he proclaimed the club should be looking to comfortably finish in the top half, despite this only being their second campaign back in La Primera following a few years in the Segunda.

But Betis have started in ideal fashion in their bid to achieve those lofty goals, as they made it three wins from four at this early stage of the season.

Junior Paulao’s 19^th minute strike proved enough to defeat an Espanyol side who are still without a victory this season, and made their own job even more difficult by going down to ten men mid-way through the second half, with Mubarak Wakaso earning his second booking of the match.

REAL ZARAGOZA 3-1 OSASUNA

Osasuna remain winless and rooted to the foot of the table, as they went down with a whimper against a Zaragoza side that have hardly started the season in blistering form.

They did bring themselves level once in the game, with Emiliano Armenteros cancelling out Helder Postiga’s early opener.

But David Timor’s own goal on the stroke of half-time put Zaragoza back in the driving seat and they made that position count 20 minutes from time, as Apono converted from the spot to seal the victory.

CELTA VIGO 2-1 GETAFE

Celta claimed a big victory as they look to stay out of harm’s way, but Getafe will question why they continue to lose when their only victory came against mighty Real Madrid.

Augusto Fernandez and Abdul Barrada had cancelled each other out with goals inside three second half minutes, before on-loan striker Park Chu-Young sealed the points for Celta 25 minutes from time.

Getafe’s night got worse in stoppage time, as summer signing Alexis saw red for a second bookable offence.

LEVANTE 2-1 REAL SOCIEDAD

Levante pulled themselves back into the top half, as they came from behind to defeat a poor travelling Sociedad side.

David Zurutuza had put Sociedad in front after 23 minutes, but Levante sealed a dramatic comeback in the final 20 minutes of the match to steal the three points from the Basque side’s grasp.

First, Jose Barkero scored from the penalty spot, before debutant Obafemi Martins made an immediate impact by scoring the winner five minutes from time.

ATHLETIC BILBAO 0-0 MALAGA

Malaga are still unbeaten and Athletic still look somewhat toothless after a summer of discontent. There is little else to be said after what was a dull affair at San Mames.