Sevilla picked up just their second win of the season after beating Athletic Bilbao 1-0.
Sevilla picked up just their second win of the season after edging a stormy game against Athletic Bilbao 1-0.San Mames witnessed a ferocious encounter between the two sides, which saw Bilbao finish the match with 10 men.
Bilbao had an early chance to score but were denied by a fantastic double save from Sevilla keeper Andres Palop, although Fernando Llorente should have done better with the second opportunity.
The only goal of the contest came just before half time when the ball fell to Daniel Alves on the edge of the area and he unleashed a thumping drive which caused team-mate Javier Saviola to duck out of the way on the line.
The hosts' prospects of gaining a point were hampered by Francisco Tarantino's dismissal for a second bookable offence in the second half.
Getafe lost their unbeaten record after slipping to a 1-0 defeat at Real Betis.
This season's surprise packages in La Liga travelled to Seville on the back of a six-game unbeaten run.
But Ricardo Oliveira's 17th minute penalty settled the match as Betis warmed up for their UEFA Champions League clash with Chelsea on a winning note.
Getafe also had Diego Rivas sent off a minute from time for a second bookable offence but it was too late to have any impact on the game.
Valencia keep pace with the leading bunch after holding on for a 2-1 success at home to Malaga.
Roberto Ayala's goal after eight minutes gave the Che the ideal start before Vicente added to the advantage on 65 minutes.
Ex-Valencia striker Salva Ballesta pulled one back for Malaga with 15 minutes remaining but the visitors could not conjure up an equaliser.
Osasuna moved level on points with leaders Real Madrid after a 2-0 win at home to Celta Vigo.
Savo Milosevic opened the scoring against his former club on 47 minutes and substitute Pierre Webo sealed the points for Osasuna on 83 minutes.
Real Sociedad inflicted Real Zaragoza's first defeat of the campaign courtesy of a 1-0 triumph away from home.
Xabier Prieto's 12th minute spot kick earned the visitors the points, and they also overcame the second half dismissal of Mikel Aranburu.
Cadiz gained just their second win of the campaign after an impressive 2-0 triumph at Espanyol.
Matias Pavoni ended the stalemate with a goal on 65 minutes and Jonathan popped up with 10 minutes remaining to ease any Cadiz nerves as Espanyol had Armando Sa sent off in the last minute.
Real Mallorca still reside at the foot of the Liga table after only mustering a 0-0 draw at home to Racing Santander as the hosts' Juan Arango missed a fourth minute penalty.
Click below for an individual match summary:
Mallorca 0-0 Racing Santander
Osasuna 2-0 Celta Vigo
Real Betis 1-0 Getafe
Real Zaragoza 0-1 Real Sociedad
Espanyol 0-2 Cadiz
Valencia 2-1 Malaga
Athletic Bilbao 0-1 Sevilla
