Sevilla in pain by Getafe

Cosmin Contra scored a dramatic added time winner as Getafe CF opened their Primera División account for 2008 by coming from behind to add to Sevilla FC's woes with a 3-2 win while Valencia CF continue to toil as they were beaten by Villarreal CF.

Fabiano header
UEFA Cup contenders Getafe, who before tonight had not won in Spain's top-flight since a 2-0 victory against UD Almería on 22 December, found themselves behind 16 minutes into the contest at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez when Luis Fabiano headed in for his 13th goal in 13 league games this season.

Getafe comeback
Former Sevilla player Casquero equalised for the home side with 33 minutes on the clock however, rifling a right-footed drive into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area. Getafe then edged ahead 13 minutes into the second half when Albín got ahead of Ivica Dragutinović to stoop and head in from close range. The Serbian atoned for his error by making it 2-2 with a minute to go but Getafe would not be denied as Contra headed the winner. The win moved them up five places in the table into tenth while Sevilla, now without a victory in four league and cup games, remain eighth.

Villarreal third
Meanwhile, Villarreal now find themselves in third in the standings after they easily overcame local rivals Valencia 3-0 at El Madrigal. The UEFA Cup hopefuls, who travel to the capital to meet leaders Real Madrid CF next week, found themselves in front after just seven minutes when Robert Pirès curled in. Also hitting the frame of the goal four times, Villarreal added further goals through Joan Capdevila (63) and Nihat Kahveci (70). Defeat for Valencia left them ten points behind the top four in seventh.

Fiorentina in the top four

ACF Fiorentina moved into the top four in Serie A after penalties from Christian Vieri and Adrian Mutu proved decisive against Torino FC, while Genoa CFC also enjoyed victory.

Fine form
Starting the day in fifth, Fiorentina continued their recent good form as they made it five wins in succession in all competitions. The UEFA Cup contenders gained the initiative against Torino when Vieri converted the first spot-kick of the game on the stroke of half-time. Vince Grella equalised for the visitors (58) but another penalty, this time taken by Mutu (76), sealed the points for Fiorentina.

Genoa comeback
Meanwhile, Genoa came back from a goal behind to defeat Atalanta BC at home. A penalty after 65 minutes from Cristiano Doni had given the visitors from Bergamo the advantage but two goals in nine minutes by Marco Borriello (72) and Lucho Figueroa (81) sealed the points for Genoa. It was a win that moved them above their opponents and up into seventh in the standings.

Man United maintain Premier League advantage

Manchester United FC preserved their lead at the top of the Premier League thanks to late victory at Reading FC, while Arsenal FC kept up their challenge with success at Fulham FC.

Adebayor double
Wayne Rooney's sixth league goal of the season thirteen minutes from time and an added time Cristiano Ronaldo strike earned United a 2-0 success at the Madejski Stadium, moving the champions on to 54 points. Joining Sir Alex Ferguson's team on the same total are Arsenal, who won 3-0 at London rivals Fulham. Two first-half efforts from Emmanuel Adebayor and a Tomáš Rosický goal nine minutes from time consigned struggling Fulham to defeat, leaving manager Roy Hodgson still looking for his first victory since taking charge last month.

Pizarro effort
Also winners on the road were third-placed Chelsea FC, who won 1-0 at Birmingham City FC courtesy of a late Claudio Pizarro strike. Avram Grant's side remain four points off the pace on 50 points. Elsewhere, Blackburn Rovers FC squandered the opportunity to move level on points with fourth-placed Liverpool FC, after drawing 1-1 at home with Middlesbrough FC. Defender David Wheater grabbed his third goal of the season on 13 minutes at Ewood Park, but Blackburn levelled in the second half through Matt Derbyshire.

Benjani hat-trick
Portsmouth FC, who had not scored at home since September, defeated bottom side Derby County FC 3-1 to move into eighth. Lewin Nyatanga gave the visitors an early lead, but a Benjani Mwaruwari hat-trick secured the points. Elsewhere Tottenham Hotspur FC's improvement under Juande Ramos continued with a 2-0 success against struggling Sunderland AFC&Newcastle United FC marked Kevin Keegan's return as manager by drawing 0-0 with UEFA Cup hopefuls Bolton Wanderers FC at St James' Park .