Madrid - Deportivo Coruna missed a good chance to go third in the Spanish Liga on Sunday, being thrashed 4-0 in Valladolid, with two goals from the promising Nauzet Aleman. Valladolid's other goals were handsome late strikes from Diego Costa and Haris Medunjanin.
"They were far superior to us today," said Deportivo veteran Juan Carlos Valeron.
"We were ponderous in attack," the 2002 World Cup playmaker said, "and hesitant in defence."
Deportivo are now fourth, one point behind third-placed Sevilla, who were held to a 0-0 draw on Saturday by Espanyol.
Sevilla, in their turn, are three points behind joint leaders Barcelona and Real Madrid. Barca are at home to Zaragoza in Sunday's late game, Real were held 0-0 by Sporting Gijon on Saturday.
Valencia will join Deportivo if they manage to win away to Almeria later on Sunday.
Villarreal, meanwhile, moved off the bottom of the table with their first win, 2-1 at home to Malaga, with goals from Brazilian Nilmar - his first in Spain - and Marcos Senna.
Malaga are now bottom with just four points. Then, on five, come Xerez, who lost 1-0 away to Tenerife. Then come Villarreal on six and troubled Atletico Madrid - who were held 1-1 by Mallorca on Saturday - on seven.
Also on seven are Racing Santander, who battled out a late 1-1 draw at home to Osasuna.
Sunday's other early game was a 2-0 home win for Getafe over Athletic Bilbao, on goals from Real Madrid rejects Roberto Soldado and Dani Parejo.
