Four-star Malaga maintain unbeaten run

Malaga maintained their unbeaten start to the season as they cruised to a 4-0 victory over Real Betis in Spain’s Primera Division with the game turning on an early penalty and the sending off of goalkeeper Casto Espinosa.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side now sit in second place on 14 points after another fine display of attacking football where they took full advantage of their man extra from the 10th minute.

Casto was red-carded for a foul on Eliseu Pereira and after Joaquin Sanchez converted the penalty, Malaga never looked back.

They had a series of chances with Ignacio Camacho hitting the post with a header and then Javier Saviola slotted home the second after 28 minutes following an exchange with Francisco Portillo.

Midway through the second half Antonio Amaya put the ball through his own net as he intercepted a Nacho Monreal cross and then Isco Alarcon finished clinically to add to Betis’ misery.

Goals from Sofiane Feghouli and Jonathan Viera in either half gave Valencia a 2-0 victory over Zaragoza to ease the strain on under-fire coach Mauricio Pellegrino.

Valencia played a man down from the 61st after Feghouli received his second booking, but Zaragoza failed to capitalise on the advantage.