European football review - La Liga and the French Cup

Having started with only one win in his first six matches, Koeman could have asked for no easier start to the new year than facing a side who were 10 points adrift at the bottom, but his hapless team showed little sign of making a breakthrough.

Joaquin hit the bar, but there looked to be little improvement despite the drastic surgery Koeman carried out in sacking four experienced players.

Striker Nikola Zigic put the tin lid on it for Valencia by being sent off five minutes from time for hacking down Jose Manuel Serrano, and the team were jeered off by furious fans already angry at a limp exit from the Champions League.

If nothing is going Valencia's way, it's quite the opposite for Real Madrid, who were completely outplayed at the Bernabeu by Real Zaragoza, yet somehow escaped with a 2-0 win.

Iker Casillas proved yet again that he has been Real's key player of the last few years despite all the galacticos who have been and gone as he made a string of superb saves, and was helped out by the post when Ricardo Oliveira finally beat him on the hour.

Real took the lead five minutes later with, astonishingly, their first real attack as Ruud Van Nistelrooy headed in after good work by Robinho.

Zaragoza continued to make and miss chances before Robinho wrapped the points up with a superb goal on the break to keep Real seven points clear at the top.

Barcelona, who lost 1-0 at home to Real just before Christmas, made some amends by recording only their third away win of the season, beating Mallorca 2-0.

Mexican defender Rafael Marquez headed the opener on 63 minutes after the home side had enjoyed the best of the game, and former Mallorca striker Samuel Eto'o added the second from long range in injury time.

Surprise package Espanyol strengthened their grip on third by thumping fourth-placed Villarreal 3-0, all the goals coming before the break.

Although they reached the UEFA Cup Final last season before losing to Sevilla, Espanyol were almost relegated, but have revived thanks largely to the inspiration of captain Raul Tamudo.

At the club for over a decade, Tamudo is in the best form of his life and scored a double to take his tally for the season to 10.

That is still two goals behind Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano, who scored two more for Sevilla as they thumped struggling city rivals Betis 3-0.

The opener was controversial, as Fabiano went for a diving header but ended up forcing the ball in with his hand.

Atletico Madrid are up to fourth as they beat Deportivo La Coruna away for the first time since 1995, helped by another inspirational show from Argentinian teenager Sergio Aguero, who set up the first for Diego Forlan and scored the second for his eighth of the season.

In France, the first division teams entered the cup at the last 64 stage, and Toulouse fell victim to the biggest shock as they slumped 2-1 at home to third division Paris FC.

After an exchange of early goals, the winner came midway through the second half from Senegalese veteran Pape Sarr.

Struggling Lens lost 1-0 at home to second division Niort, and fourth-placed Caen were beaten 3-2 at second division Sedan, who reached the final in 1999 and 2005.

Le Mans were given a shock by fifth division Selongey as they were held 1-1 at 90 minutes and only won 3-2 in extra time.

It was business as usual for Lyon and league leading scorer Karim Benzema, who scored a hat-trick in their 4-0 win at Creteil, as the six-time champions aim to win the cup for the first time since 1973.

More importantly for Lyon, the match saw the return to action of France keeper Gregory Coupet, who played for the first time since tearing knee ligaments the week before the season started.