Rival Watch: Celta and Villarreal drop places as FC Barcelona stay joint top

There is altogether more familiar look to the top of the Liga table following this weekend’s results, with Real Madrid and Barça top of the table with 21 points each and Atlético Madrid hot on their tails with 19. After suffering their first defeat of the season, Celta have slipped to fourth and Villarreal have also dropped off the pace after a draw with Las Palmas.

Celta’s loss was precisely against Real Madrid and it came at Balaídos. Cristiano Ronaldo put the visitors ahead and Danilo added a second after 23 minutes. Despite having Cabral sent off, a scorcher from former FCB man Nolito got Celta back in contention with five minutes to go but a Marcelo goal five minutes into injury time finished off the job for the all-whites. Madrid top the table, but only on goal difference ahead of Barça, who of course beat Eibar 3-1 on Sunday.

First half goals from Jackson Martínez and Carrasco had Atlético well in control at home to Valencia, but that superiority was suddenly under threat when Alcácer converted a penalty committed by Godín after 72 minutes. But Atlético held on for a 2-1 win.

After an impressive start to the season, Villarreal are down to fifth after a tediously dull 0-0 draw in Las Palmas, who were playing their first game under new manager Quique Setién.

Bad day for Getafe

Next up in La Liga for FC Barcelona is Getafe, who will be looking to put a disastrous trip to Sevilla behind them. They were already trailing 2-0 at half time after Gameiro had found the net twice, and in the second half gave away no fewer than three penalties, with Vigaray getting sent off in the process. All three spot kicks were converted (each by different players) and the 5-0 trouncing leaves Getafe twelfth in the table.

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In Division 2B, Group IV, Villanovense prepared for the big visit of FC Barcelona with a short journey to neighbours Mérida on Saturday night.  Curro Sánchez cancelled out an early goal for Mérida in the first half, but the home side regained the lead with just eight minutes left to play. But Cubi struck back for Villanovense almost immediately after and the 2-2 draw leaves his side in eleventh place with 13 points from the first ten games.