Madrid  - Villarreal continued their poor starts in the Spanish Liga on Sunday, being held to a 1-1 home draw by defiant Mallorca.

"The Yellow Submarine", as Villarreal are known, reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season, and were expected to be close to the top of La Liga this year.

However, they have picked up just two points from their two games and appear to be missing long-serving coach Manuel Pellegrini, who left for Real Madrid in June.

Guiseppe Rossi shot Villarreal ahead in the 55th minute with his trusty left foot, but Mallorca refused to give up and deservedly levelled through Borja Valero 14 minutes from time.

"We need to be a little faster in both penalty areas," said Villarreal midfielder Sebastian Eguren at the end.

The useful draw takes Mallorca up to third with four points, two points behind twin giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, who are the only teams so far to win their first two games.

Valencia will join the twin giants at the top if they manage to win away to Valladolid later on Sunday.

Sunday's other early games brought home wins for Deportivo Coruna, Sporting Gijon and Tenerife.

Deportivo beat Malaga 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Brazilian left-back Luis Filipe, who almost signed for Barcelona this summer.

With just eight minutes left and a goalless draw looming, Filipe took a pass from Juan Rodriguez and broke the stalemate with a powerful left-foot drive.

Gijon beat Almeria 1-0 on an early goal from the promising Diego Castro.

Newly-promoted Tenerife, meanwhile, were beating Osasuna 2-1 with goals from Juan Francisco Nino and Ricardo Leon. (dpa)