Madrid, Sep 23 (IANS): Real Betis Football Club reached the top of the Spanish La Liga after a thrilling 4-3 win at home to Zaragoza 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, a first 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 that 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, the Xinhua reported.

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

It looked 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 to their nerves.

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 so far in the season.