体坛英语新闻：Betis go top in Spain

MADRID, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Real Betis reached the top of the Spanish La Liga after winning a thrilling game 4-3 at home to Zaragoza on Thursday.

Betis only returned to the La Liga this season and the win means they have 12 points from four games after winning their first four matches of the season for the first time in their history.

They got off to a flying start as Roque Santa Cruz scored after just six minutes and doubled their lead when Santi Sevilla scored six minutes later.

Zaragoza got a lifeline following an error from Betis keeper Casto Espinosa allowed Efran Juarez to prod home before the break. However, Betis scored twice in the first four minutes of the second half to apparently put the game out of race.

Benat Exteberria scored another penalty following a handball in the area and Santa Cruz took advantage of some poor defense to head home his second of the night.

It looked to be all over, but Casto was shown a red card after bringing down Luis Garcia with 20 minutes remaining to leave his side to hold out with 10 men.

Zaragoza substitute Juan Carlos Perez then scored twice in two minutes to produce a thrilling finale, but Betis were able to hold on and go to bed as leaders.

Espanyol began the day with a 1-0 win over Getafe. Substitute Walter Pandiani scored in injury time to maintain his side's 100 percent record.

Getafe, meanwhile, are second from bottom of the table with one point from four games.

The majority of the matches were played on Wednesday with Atletico Madrid striker Radamal Falcao scoring his second hat- trick of the week in his side's 4-0 win over Sporting Gijon.

Real Madrid produced a dreadful performance to only draw 0-0 away to Racing Santander, while Valencia and Barcelona gave an exhibition of exciting football as they drew 2-2 in Mestalla.

An Eric Abidal own goal and a striker from Pablo Hernandez gave Valencia the lead on two occasions, while Pedro Rodriguez and Cesc Fabrigas assured a share of the points for Barca.