体坛英语新闻：Atletico and Barca keep going strong in Spain's matchday 8

MADRID, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- Atletico Madrid and FC Barcelona continue to forge ahead in the BBVA Primera Liga as both sides went into the international break on the back of their eighth straight win to maintain their 100 percent records and respective best ever starts to a season.

Diego Costa was again Atletico's hero as his side defeated Celta Vigo with the two goals which gave his side a 2-1 win at home to Celta Vigo.

Atletico had looked to be cruising after Costa put them 2-0 up, but Nolito's goal got Celta back into the game and it needed a fine last minute save from Thibaut Courtois in order to ensure all three points remainined in the Vicente Calderon.

On Saturday, FC Barcelona also extended their 100 percent record at the start of the season to eight matches as they produced a fine second half display on the way to defeating Valladolid 4-1 in the Camp Nou Stadium on Saturday night

Alexis Sanchez helped make up for the absence of the injured Leo Messi with two goals, while Xavi Hernandez and Neymar added further goals on the night.

Barca were forced to come from behind after Valladolid striker, Javi Guerra had headed his side into and early lead before Alexis scored his first goal of the night with a thundering shot with his weaker right foot, which left visiting keeper, Diego Marino clutching at air.

It was not until the second half that Barca made the points safe: Xavi Hernandez sidefooted them into the lead seven minutes after the break, while Alexis scored Barca's third after 64 minutes after a fine pass from Neymar and then returned the favor for Neymar to make it 4-1 with 20 minutes left to play.

Meanwhile two goals in the last five minutes saw Real Madrid remain in the title hunt with a dramatic fightback away to Levante to win 3-2.

Almeria remain without a win and slipped to the bottom of the table after shipping another late goal that condemned them to a 2-1 defeat away to Sevilla.

Kevin Gameiro put Sevilla ahead after just 6 minutes, but Rodri levelled midway through the first half and the game looked destined for a draw before Ivan Rakitic scored the winning goal in injury time.

Pedro Leon was on target twice, while Adrian Colunga again found the target as Getafe won their fourth game in five to continue climbing the table after a poor start to the season

Valencia's recovery also continues with a 1-1 draw away to Athletic Club Bilbao, although they may feel they could have taken all three points after Ever Banega had put them ahead with a first half penalty.

The visitors had chances to seal the win, but Athletic drew level late in the second half thanks to Mikel Rico's first goal for the club and the Basques almost sealed the win in an emotional closing 10 minutes.

Saturday began with two goals from former Espanyol striker Fermin Corominas 'Coro' giving Elche their first home win of the season as they defeated Espanyol 2-1.

Thievy had leveled for Espanyol with his third goal of the season, but Coro's second strike, 15 minutes from time ensured the points stayed at home.

Meanwhile Rayo Vallecano got their first points since the first day of the season as a Jonathan Viera penalty in the last minute of their game against Real Sociedad gave them all three points.

Villarreal remain fourth thanks to a 3-0 thrashing of a hapless Granada on Friday, the same day Osasuna claimed a surprise 1-0 win in Malaga.