Real Madrid stay top despite defeat

Diego Forlan and Maxi Rodriguez inspired Atletico Madrid to a convincing 4-0 home win over Real Zaragoza in the Spanish Primera Liga on Sunday.

Uruguay striker Forlan, who was bought for around 21 million euros ($29.99 million) when Fernando Torres left for Liverpool in the close season, set up the opener for Luis Garcia with a defence-splitting pass after 10 minutes.

He doubled the lead when Argentina forward Maxi's floated pass allowed him to beat Cesar with a clever lob in the 34th, and Maxi, who replaced Torres as club captain, went down for a second-half penalty which he then converted for the third.

Maxi completed the rout with a fourth in the final minute to put Atletico sixth with 14 points.

Leaders Real Madrid were beaten 2-1 away at in-form Espanyol on Saturday but stayed top with 19 points from eight games.

Villarreal are a point behind in second after overcoming Barcelona 3-1 at home, and were joined on 18 points by Valencia, who cruised to a 4-2 win at Deportivo Coruna.

Barca are fourth with 17, one ahead of Espanyol who have won their last four matches.

GETAFE WIN

Real Mallorca were level with Atletico on 14 points in seventh, after a 2-0 away win against Recreativo Huelva, and Jorge Lopez's late equaliser for Racing Santander earned them a 1-1 draw at Real Betis to go eighth on 12.

Near the foot of the table, UEFA Cup contenders Getafe beat promoted Real Murcia 2-0 at home for their first win in the Primera Liga this season.

Kepa Blanco headed Michael Laudrup's side in front early in the second half and soon after Francisco Casquero drove into the area to score a second.

Getafe hung on for the win despite having striker Kepa sent off, and climbed to 18th with five points from eight games.