Villarreal fail to beat the drop

Villarreal tumbled out of the Spain’s Primera Division last night after losing to Atletico Madrid, while relegation rivals Real Zaragoza and Rayo Vallecano both won.

The Yellow Submarine, who finished fourth last season, were beaten by Radamel Falcao’s 88th-minute goal.

Zaragoza had started the day in the bottom three but won 2-0 at Getafe but the real escape story came in Madrid, with Rayo’s Tamudo scoring in injury time as they beat Granada 1-0.

Sporting Gijon’s bid to avoid the drop ended as they lost 1-0 to Malaga who finish fourth and qualify for a Champions League spot.