Thaindian News

Madrid, Sep 28 (DPA) Surprise package Mallorca moved up to fourth in the Spanish Liga with a 4-0 thrashing of hapless Valladolid.
Mallorca hardly made any signings this summer but Sunday managed to hold on to wily old coach Gregorio Manzano.

His team are now fourth, two points behind third-placed Sevilla and five behind twin giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, who have both won their first five games.

Veteran Portuguese defender Jose Carlos Nunes put Mallorca ahead against Valladolid after just four minutes, after the shaky Valladolid defence had failed to clear a free-kick.

Aritz Aduriz made it 2-0 on the hour after being set up by Mario Suarez, and Borja Valero completed the rout on the break in the 63rd minute.

“We have made a good start to the season,” said Suarez, “but there is a long way to go still.”

Mallorca are one point above Athletic Bilbao - who crashed 4-0 at home to Sevilla Saturday - and two above Valencia, held to a 2-2 Saturday by Atletico Madrid.

Later Sunday newly-promoted Zaragoza moved up to seventh by hammering dull Getafe 3-0, with two goals from new idol Abel Aguilar.

Zaragoza, who have enjoyed a yo-yo existence in recent years, went ahead after 17 minutes when former Real Madrid defender Francisco Pavon headed in a Jorge Lopez corner.

Just seven minutes later Lopez swung over another corner, Pavon headed across goal - and Aguilar followed up to make it 2-0.

Aguilar, a tall Colombian midfielder, made it 3-0 eight minutes from time after being set up by Brazilian forward Ewerthon.

Zaragoza are now level on seven points with Osasuna, who beat Sporting Gijon 1-0 thanks to a penalty converted by Javad Nekounam after Rafael Sastre had handled in the box.

In Sunday’s other early games, Almeria forced a late 2-2 draw at home to Racing Santander, whilst Espanyol were held to a 0-0 draw by bottom team Xerez.

Sunday’s late game will be a clash of fallen giants, between Deportivo Coruna and troubled Villarreal, who are second from bottom with just two points.