SPANISH LA LIGA: EARLY GOALS from Giuseppe Rossi and Joseba Llorente earned Villarreal a 2-1 home win against Almeria to put them second in the Primera Liga yesterday.
Almeria were the last team to beat Manchester United's Group E Champions League rivals in the Spanish league back in April, and Villarreal have extended their unbeaten run to 16 between last season and the current campaign.
Barcelona are top with 25 points, one ahead of Villarreal, after hammering Valladolid 6-0 at Camp Nou on Saturday.
Champions Real Madrid scrambled a 4-3 comeback win at home to Malaga on Saturday - all four goals scored by Gonzalo Higuain - and are fourth with 23 points.
Leading Real on goal difference are Valencia, who beat Getafe 3-0 away last night, with their goals coming from Manuel Fernandes, Joaquin and Vicente.
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