LaLiga Saturday round-up

Real Madrid's return to winning ways on Saturday will dominate much of the media attention in Spain, but plenty of other headlines were made elsewhere.

In the day's early game, Espanyol were 3-1 victors over a Granada team who have still won just once all season. Though Andreas Pereira gave Lucas Alcaraz' side hope of causing a shock by equalising after Jose Antonio Reyes' opener, goals by Pablo Piatti and Marc Navarro sealed the home team's victory.

The result moved Espanyol, coached by Quique Sanchez Flores, into the top half of the table, while Granada are now eight points from safety.

Later on, Alaves and Leganes locked horns in a meeting of two sides promoted from the Segunda last season. Mauricio Pellegrino's side led twice in the Basque country but ultimately had to settle for a draw, with Pablo Insua grabbing what could prove to be an important late leveller.

Leganes, from the outskirts of Madrid, therefore inch a point further clear of the relegation zone, with Alaves safely ensconced in mid-table in an impressive first season back in the top flight.

In the day's late game, Valencia took a giant step on their road to recovery by recording an impressive 2-0 away win over rivals Villarreal. Carlos Soler opened the scoring at El Madrigal after meeting Nani's cross, before Santi Mina doubled the visitors' lead by robbing goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo of possession and tapping into an empty net.

Los Che held firm in the second half to secure a vital victory that takes them seven points clear of the relegation places. After the turmoil that resulted in the departures of Pako Ayesteran and Cesare Prandelli, it appears real progress is now being made under Coach Salvador 'Voro' Gonzalez. 

As for Villarreal, their fourth defeat of the campaign could prove a costly one in their fight for Champions League football. Fran Escriba's side remain sixth, but the teams above them will now have the opportunity to take advantage of their slip up in Sunday's matches.

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La Liga - Club News