Sevilla win 4-1 as Atletico and Barca stumble

Sevilla waltzed to a 4-1 win over regional rivals Recreativo Huelva in the Primera Liga yesterday and Villarreal put a recent mauling by Real Madrid behind them with a win 1-0 in Mallorca that moved them up to fourth.

Frederic Kanoute and Alexander Kerzhakov each scored twice and could have had more in a win that lifted Sevilla up to second on six points, three behind leaders Real Madrid with a game in hand and two ahead of Barcelona who were held to their second goalless draw of the season at Osasuna last night.

Kanoute was at the heart of Sevilla's best moves but made way for Arouna Kone, the 12 million euros Ivory Coast striker, to make his debut midway through the second half.

Big spenders Atletico Madrid are still looking for a first win of the campaign after drawing 1-1 at promoted Real Murcia.

Atletico's Argentine striker Sergio Aguero put away Yourkas Seitaridis's cross early on but Francisco Gallardo struck a late equaliser when he wrong-footed Costinha and fired home.

Atletico's UEFA Cup rivals Villarreal snatched a late 1-0 win at Real Mallorca thanks to Nihat Kahveci's long range free-kick but were fortunate when a late Mallorca effort was ruled offside.