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MADRID: In-form Brazilian forward Nilmar scored a brace to help slow-starting Villarreal climb into mid-table with a 3-1 home win over Valladolid on Sunday.
Nilmar had scored in both of Brazil's last two international games - against England and Oman - and continued his purple patch with two more goals.
Argentine Damian Escudero centred for Nilmar after just six minutes and the Brazilian headed a second two minutes after the break for his third goal of the season as he begins to repay his club record 11 million euro fee.
Villarreal had their worst ever start to a season in the top-flight with just three points from the first six matches but have bounced back to push up the standings plundering 14 goals in their last four games.
"Despite the result it wasn't easy," said Villarreal coach Ernesto Valverde.
"I liked what I saw of my team and think we were better so we are happy with how we played as well as the result."
Elsewhere, Real Mallorca maintained their perfect home record making it six wins from six at their Ono Stadium with a late 3-1 victory over Almeria.
Substitute Victor and Gonzalo Castro both scored in the final two minutes as Mallorca closed to within two points of the top four.
"We took our chances and they didn't take theirs - that's what made the difference," said Mallorca manager Gregorio Manzano.
In other matches, goal-shy Xerez drew 0-0 with Sporting Gijon to stay second from bottom of the table while Sporting are a creditable seventh.
Malaga continue to prop up the table after a heated 1-1 draw with Real Zaragoza which saw both teams reduced to 10 men.
Zaragoza went in front through a highly-disputable 49th minute penalty after Angel Lafita went down theatrically and Brazilian Ewerthon converted the spot-kick.
The game got ugly in the second half and there were two expulsions in as many minutes with Zaragoza left back Javier Paredes awarded a second yellow on 58 minutes for a robust challenge.
Two minutes later Malaga's Weligton got a straight red for lashing an arm at Raul Goni as he jostled for space in the penalty area.
Malaga equalised to set up a frantic finale containing yellow cards, diving and complaining before Lafita almost won it hitting the post in the final minute.
Valencia reclaimed fourth place from Deportivo La Coruna, 2-1 victors over Atletico Madrid on Saturday, when they beat Osasuna 3-1.
On Saturday Barcelona were supplanted by Real Madrid at the top with the latter now holding a one-point advantage over Barcelona ahead of next Sunday's 'El Clasico' at Camp Nou.
Real defeated Racing Santander 1-0 at home to move to the summit and Barcelona failed to respond drawing 1-1 at Athletic Bilbao to surrender top spot ahead of the biggest league fixture of the season.
Both teams have important Champions League commitments prior to the Clasico with holders Barcelona hosting Inter Milan on Tuesday and Real entertaining FC Zurich on Wednesday.
Spanish league results on Sunday:
Villarreal 3 Valladolid 1
Xerez 0 Sporting Gijon 0
Espanyol 0 Getafe 2
Real Mallorca 3 Almeria 1
Malaga 1 Real Zaragoza 1
Osasuna 1 Valencia 3
- AFP/de
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