FC Barcelona remain top of the Spanish BBVA Primera Liga on Sunday night after a 1-0 win away to Malaga in which the reigning league champions were below their best.

Adriano' s goal on the stroke of halftime was enough to give Barca win on a difficult night in the La Rosaleda Stadium in which two valuable points almost escaped the Catalans.

Barca coach Tata Marin introduced several changes in his side, such as Alex Song for Sergio Busquets, Adriano for Dani Alves and Cesc Fabrigas for the injured Leo Messi, but there was no starting place for Neymar, who again began the match on the bench.

Adriano once again showed his talent as a player to score excellent goals on the stroke of halftime with a shot from outside of the Malaga penalty area on the stroke of halftime.

Meanwhile the second half saw both sides hit the woodwork and Barca keeper, Victor Valdes make a fine save from Malaga' s Seba Fernandez in the last minute of the game as the home side worked hard to take a point against a Barca side which lacked spark without Messi and with Neymar coming into the game after more than an hour.

Atletico Madrid moved into second place and showed they can again be expected to challenge for a top four position as Diego Simeone' s side warmed up for the return leg of the Spanish Supercup this week with a 5-0 thrashing of Rayo Vallecano.

The loss of Radamel Falcao to Monaco doesn' t appear to have harmed Atletico at all, in fact they looked a more compact side that ever against a Rayo side that offered scant resistance.

Raul Garcia opened the scoring on 6 minutes and the game was virtually over as a contest after 34 minutes, but which time Diego Costa and Arda Turan had added two more goals.

Tiago made it 4-0 seven minutes after the break and Simeone' s side were able to coast and save energy until the last minute, when Garcia rounded off the night with his second of the game.

Meanwhile Levante, who last week lost 7-0 to Barca, recovered to draw 0-0 to Sevilla in a game that will not live long in the memory of those who watched it, while Betis' game at home to Celta was a late kick off.

The round of matches kicked off on Friday night when Getafe drew 2-2 at home to newly promoted Almeria. The home side trailed twice to goals from Rodri and Soriano, but fought back through Angel Lafita and a Diego Castro goal five minutes from time.

Athletic Club Bilbao had to play their home game against Osasuna in Real Sociedad' s Anoeta Stadium as the finishing touches are being put to their new ground, but the 20,000 fans who made the trip to San Sebastian were rewarded with a 2-0 win which maintains their 100 percent start to the season. An own goal and a late strike from Oscar de Marcos ensured the points travelled back to Bilbao.

Carlos Vela' s equalizing goal spoiled Elche' s first home game in the Primera Liga for 30 years and ensured Real Sociedad a valuable 1-1 draw on Saturday, while Espanyol turned the heat on Valencia to win 3-1 after Helder Postiga had put Valencia ahead.

David Lopez equalized before half time and further goals from Cristian Stuani and Thievy Bifouma secured the points in the second half.

Meanwhile Villarreal continue to enjoy their return to the Primera Liga as the 'Yellow Submarine' sank Valladolid, who have now lost both their opening games. Javi Guerra put Valladolid ahead, but a Geovani Dos Santos penalty and a goal from veteran Cani made it six points from six for the team coached by Marcelino Garcia.

Real Madrid travel to Granada to play on Monday.