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| Villarreal finally click into gear after a poor start to the season [REUTERS] |
Villarreal scored in each half to beat Mallorca 2-0 on Tuesday for their first victory in Spain's Primera Division this season.
Giuseppe Rossi scored Villarreal's opener at El Madrigal stadium when he slotted under goalkeeper Dudu Aouate in the eighth minute.
Mallorca struggled to finish off their scoring opportunities, and Nilmar added Villarreal's second in the 52nd when he received Borja Valero's perfectly placed pass, rounded Aouate in one touch and rolled the ball home.
Previously, Villarreal had only earned one point from a possible nine and been held scoreless in three of their last four games, including their loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Struggling Mallorca
Mallorca have lost three straight games and only scored one goal this season. That goal was netted by now Villarreal midfielder Jonathan de Guzman, who faced his old team for the first time since transferring to the "Yellow Submarine" barely three weeks ago.
Also, Sevilla drew 0-0 with Osasuna, and Real Sociedad edged Granada 1-0.
Valencia host defending champions Barcelona on Wednesday while Real Madrid try to rebound from their loss at Levante when they visit the winless Racing Santander.
The undefeated Sevilla's second straight away draw lifted them one point behind league leaders Valencia and Real Betis.
Anxious to improve after Saturday's 8-0 drubbing by Barcelona, Osasuna created more chances in the early stages with only some good goalkeeping by Javi Varas keeping the hosts from scoring.
Sevilla tried to respond through the pace of Jesus Navas. The Spain winger blasted over the top in the 50th minute and shortly after watched his angled shot fly just past the far post.
Osasuna regained control of the game toward the end as Sevilla visibly tired at Reyno de Navarra stadium. But Varas stepped up again in the 64th to block Juan "Nino" Martinez's shot from inside in the area, and Belgian forward Roland Lamah sent his volley into the side netting in the 88th.
Elsewhere, right back Daniel Estrada's second-half goal earned Real Sociedad their second victory of the season.
After an evenly matched first half, Estrada caught Granada goalkeeper Roberto Fernandez slightly off his line in the 64th with an excellent shot from outside the area.
Granada's Allan Nyom had a great opportunity to snatch a draw, but the defender shot over from point-blank range in the last minute of injury time.
Also on Wednesday, Atletico Madrid host Sporting Gijon, and Athletic Bilbao are at Malaga.
The newly promoted Betis try to maintain their perfect record against Zaragoza on Thursday after Getafe hosts Espanyol.
