Deportivo La Coruna won for the first time in 2017 on Sunday as Atletico Madrid returned to La Liga’s Champions League spots in Week 26.
Sporting Gijon 0-1 Deportivo La Coruna
Deportivo La Coruna continued their renaissance under Pepe Mel with a 1-0 win against Sporting Gijon on Sunday.
Depor had their work cut out, however, as Sergio Alvarez drove just over from distance, before Lamine Traore missed the target from a yard out.
They were suddenly gifted a penalty when Mikel Vesga handled in the box, but Pichu Cuellar denied Emre Colak as Burgui had a low shot saved straight after.
Still, Pedro Mosquera secured all three points for the Galicians with far-post header as they moved six clear of 19th-placed Sporting.
Atletico Madrid 3-0 Valencia
Atletico Madrid regained their grip on fourth place in La Liga after they coasted to a 3-0 victory over Valencia on Sunday.
Fernando Torres was applauded by the Vicente Calderon before kick-off, the Atleti striker having escaped a serious head injury midweek.
His side made a dream start as Antoine Griezmann [pictured] fired across Diego Alves in just the 10th minute.
In-form Simone Zaza headed wide for Valencia soon after, but Kevin Gameiro made no mistake just after half-time, the Frenchman slamming home from edge of box.
Munir El Haddadi forced Jan Oblak into a nervous tip over as his lob almost caught out the goalkeeper, but Griezmann came even closer, angling a finish inches wide of the far post.
Nonetheless, Griezmann got his second goal with seven minutes remaining. Thomas Partey helped a right-wing delivery on for the attacker to slide past Alves.
Las Palmas 5-2 Osasuna
Las Palmas put their off-field problems firmly behind them by condemning Osasuna to a 5-2 defeat on Sunday.
Coach Quique Setien admitted before the game that he had yet to agree a new contract with Las Palmas, while Aythami Artiles was dropped for disciplinary reasons.
The evening started with Jonathan Viera being recognised for 100 La Liga appearances and Jese Rodriguez volleying home a ball over the top for his first Primera goal in a year.
Kenan Kodro, however, was just onside when sliding past Javi Varas for Osasuna’s equaliser. The son of former Real Sociedad star Meho then fired the visitors ahead on the turn.
Yet, sadly for the basement boys with just the one win all campaign, Marko Livaja scrambled in the equaliser.
Unai Garcia sliced a clearance into his own net for 3-2 Las Palmas, who went on two score twice more through Roque Mesa’s strike from the D and Jese’s angled finish.
Athletic Bilbao 1-0 Malaga
Athletic Bilbao needed a Raul Garcia penalty to overcome Malaga, who have now won just one of their last 15 games.
A long ball over top found Markel Susaeta down the right of Carlos Kameni’s goal, but the angle got too tight and the goalkeeper pushed the shot away.
Inigo Lekue also had an effort deflect inches wide, as did Jony Rodriguez’s header and another from Marcos Llorente.
Garcia, meanwhile, warmed up with a shot that fizzed just over, before a Malaga hand blocked Inaki Williams. Up stepped the former, who drove the penalty to the left.
Mikel San Jose was lucky not to concede a spot-kick, despite clearly handling in the box, although the Andalusians did have one piece of good news in the shape of Sandro Ramirez’s return after seven games out.