Madrid  - Valencia kicked off their Spanish league campaign on Sunday with a hard-fought 2-0 defeat of Sevilla, who had Frederic Kanoute sent off in the first half.

Kanoute was given his second yellow card one minute before half- time for a foul on Valencia midfielder Carlos Marchena.

From then on Valencia took command of a scrappy match, played on an appalling Mestalla pitch that made good football impossible.

Star of the show was Argentine playmaker Ever Banega, who has enjoyed a successful return to Valencia after a season on loan at Atletico Madrid.

Two minutes after the interval he set up Juan Mata to make it 1-0 with a left-foot drive.

And 10 minutes from time Banega again carved up the Sevilla defence and opened for Pablo Hernandez. Pablo mis-hit his cross because of the pitch - and the ball sailed into the Sevilla goal to make it 2-0.

"It has been a difficult summer for us," said Valencia veteran David Albelda, referring to the club's financial and institutional problems. "But the important thing is that we have made a good start today."

In contrast, Atletico Madrid made their habitual bad start earlier on Sunday, crashing 3-0 away to lively Malaga.

Moroccan striker Nabil Baha put Malaga ahead, young supersub Manu made it 2-0, Xavi Torres - on loan from Barcelona - made it 3-0 by heading in a late corner.

"We were really poor today," said Atletico midfielder Raul Garcia. "We must improve on this."

Atletico were a shadow of the side that twice beat Panathinaikos in the Champions League playoffs, and hardly created a single clear chance. The defence looked shaky throughout, and youngster Sergio Asenjo made a nervous league debut in goal.

Villarreal also made a disappointing start, being held to a 1-1 draw by Osasuna, who were struggling against relegation all last season.

Santi Cazorla gave Villarreal the lead in the 32nd minute, but veteran hitman Walter Pandiani levelled for Osasuna just five minutes later.

The first league leaders of the season, surprisingly, are modest Getafe, who enjoyed a 4-1 romp away to hapless Racing Santander, with former Real Madrid striker Roberto Soldado hitting a handsome hat- trick.

Midfielder Rafa Lopez had put Getafe on the road to triumph by making it 1-0 after just 12 minutes, heading in a corner.

Getafe coach Michel, who saved his team from relegation on the last day of last season, said, "We must not too excited about this, this thing has only just started."

Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, were battling out a late 1-0 defeat of Espanyol, on a goal 12 minutes from time from Gaizka Toquero. Espanyol still seem affected by the heart-attack death of captain Daniel Jarque.

Sunday's other early game was a 2-0 home win for Mallorca over newly-promoted Xerex, on goals from Aritz Aduriz and Tuni.

Sunday's late match was a colourless 0-0 draw between Almeria and Valladolid.

Valladolid defender Nivaldo was sent off after just 12 minutes for pulling down Kalu Uche, but the visitors managed to hang on for a draw.

La Liga kicked off on Saturday with new-look Real Madrid struggling to overcome Deportivo Coruna, and with Zaragoza beating fellow newcomers Tenerife 1-0. (dpa)