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Saviola scored his first goal for Real since the Argentine signed from arch-rivals Barcelona on 37 minutes and Dutchman Sneijder swept in a 69th minute free-kick -- his fourth goal in Real's first three games of the season.

Promoted Almeria went on the attack against a sluggish Real in the second half and were unlucky to have a Kalu Uche effort harshly ruled offside before Albert Crusat was sent off for taking down Saviola as he broke towards goal.

Almeria, in the first division for the first time in 26 years, continued to cause the champions problems and striker Uche pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute.

But league leaders Real made sure of victory with a Gonzalo Higuain lob two minutes from time, leaving them top with a maximum nine points from three games.

VALENCIA 2-1 VALLADOLID

A lucky David Silva deflection has gave Valencia a late win against Primera Division newcomers Valladolid at the Mestalla.

Daniel Kome put the visitors ahead after 11 minutes before Fernando Morientes equalised.

Valladolid were unfortunate not have have scored a second before Silva won it in the 89th minute. They had gone in front after a Santiago Canizares howler, the Valencia goalkeeper spilling a simple cross and Kome on hand to tap in from close range.

Quique Sanchez Flores' men levelled midway through the first half, however, Morientes taking advantage of another poor take from a Valencia-owned keeper, on-loan young Frenchman Ludovic Butelle parrying a weak long shot into the former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker's path.

Aitor Arizmendi and Ruben Baraja both then went close for Los Ches, the former with a header on 27 minutes, the latter with a finish inches wide from a Joaquin free kick, while Pedro Lopez nearly connected with a Sisi cross for Valladolid just before the break.

Butelle made amends for his error with a good low save from a deflected Baraja shot nine minutes after the restart, while Canizares did likewise when he tipped Joseba Llorente's spectacular overhead kick onto the bar midway through the second half.

Llorente should have made Canizares work again when, with ten minutes remaining, he found himself clear of Raul Albiol but dragged his shot wide from just inside the area, before Silva and Valencia got their lucky break at the death.

ATHLETIC BILBAO 1-1 REAL ZARAGOZA

Both sides are still winless after a drab game at the San Mames stadium. Young midfielder Markel Susaeta opened the scoring on 10 minutes with a peach of a free-kick.

Diego Milito levelled with an angled shot to open his account for the season seven minutes later, but thereafter action was at a premium.

The game was briefly halted because of objects thrown from the crowd at Zaragoza goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez.

Reuters + Reda Maher / Eurosport