Van der Vaart bags hat-trick in Real massacre

Rafael van der Vaart endeared himself to the Real Madrid fans with a hat-trick as the champions crushed Sporting Gijon 7-1 on Wednesday to go second in the table.

Dutch midfielder van der Vaart, a 13 million-euro summer signing from SV Hamburg, netted twice in the first half before wrapping up his treble on 47 minutes.

Poor Sporting had been crushed 6-1 by Barcelona in their last match and Real went one better with skipper Raul grabbing brace and further goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Arjen Robben.

Ironically Real rested key players - such as Sergio Ramos and Ruud van Nistelrooy - but were still far too good for pointless Sporting and the title holders now trail Villarreal by a point at the summit.

Barcelona are three points off the lead in fifth after Eidur Gudjohnsen scored an 80th minute winner to down Real Betis 3-2 as they notched their first home win this season.

Samuel Eto'o reached a landmark 100 goals in Barca colours with a brace to put Barca two goals up at the interval but Betis launched a sterling second half comeback to draw the scores level only for substitute Gudjohnsen to break their hearts with a late winner.

It was in stark contrast to the 6-1 crushing of Sporting Gijon at the weekend but the nervy victory helps push Barcelona up to third in the table.

"We had a dip at the beginning of the second half and we paid dearly," confessed Barca coach Pep Guardiola. "I must say that I am pleased how we played in the first half and also by our reaction when they made it 2-2."

Betis coach Paco Chaparro was furious that Betis were not awarded a late penalty at Camp Nou after a foul by Martin Caceres.

"I saw a penalty but I don't want to talk about the referee," raged Chaparro.

Atletico Madrid are level on points with Real after a 2-1 derby win at Getafe.

French forward Florent Sinama Pongolle scored his fourth goal of the season to move to the top of the scoring charts but it was an 82nd minute own goal from David Cortes that condemned Getafe to their first defeat of the season.

"We had a lot of chances and we are delighted with this win at a tough ground," said Atletico centre-half Pablo Tebar.

"There will be injuries and suspensions so it is important that when players come in they perform and that has happened (with Sinama Pongolle)."

Former Atletico hero Fernando Torres, now at Liverpool, said this week there was no reason why his old club couldn't challenge for the title this season and the capital club have started like title contenders.

Villarreal sit proudly at the top of the standings after defeating Racing Santander 2-0 on Wednesday.

The damage was done in four minutes with Joan Capdevila, who gets his fair share of goals for a full back, opening the scoring and Jose Llorente adding another shortly after.

Manuel Pellegrini's Villarreal outfit are yet to lose in Europe or the league where they have accumulated 10 points from a possible 12.

"We controlled the game and beat a good team tonight," said Pellegrini. "We also showed that even when we are not in full flow we can call upon other aspects of our game to win matches."

Sevilla moved up to fourth after inflicting a 2-0 defeat on Espanyol.

Italian Enzo Maresca and Ernesto Chevanton were on target to help Sevilla move two points off the lead while Espanyol slip to eighth after their first defeat of the season.

Valencia can move level on points with tabletoppers Villarreal if they defeat Malaga on Thursday.

MADRID, Thursday (AFP)