Osasuna on top in Spain

Osasuna are the new leaders of the Primera Liga after a weekend which also saw defending champions Barcelona take a great leap forwards.

Osasuna’s 2-0 win at their Pamplona home against Espanyol was earned by goals from David Lopez and Inaki Munoz with the beaten Catalans hindered by the sending-off of Eduardo Costa.

Javier Aguirre’s men take top spot from Getafe who were beaten 1-0 at Deportivo La Coruna for whom Diego Tristan netted at the Riazor stadium.

Barca are also upwardly mobile after thrashing 10-man Real Sociedad 5-0.

Mark van Bommel set Barca on their way with the opening goal after 18 minutes before the in-form Ronaldinho added a brace either side of half-time to increase the advantage to 3-0.

Carles Puyol then headed home the fourth from a corner, and substitute Henrik Larsson wrapped up the victory with the fifth goal late on.

Sociedad’s Gari Uranga was dismissed in the 69th minute after picking up a second yellow card but the mtch was already gone by then.

Malaga drew 1-1 at Real Zragoza, Valencia drew 1-1 at home to 10-man Racing Santander, and struggling Real Mallorca drew 1-1 against Sevilla despite playing for almost an hour with only 10 men and Alaves and Cadiz were goalless.