Madrid lose as Riazor curse strikes

Real Madrid CF wasted the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Primera División to eleven points on Saturday after losing 1-0 at RC Deportivo La Coruña – the champions' third defeat in six league fixtures.

Own goal
Chances were at a premium in an otherwise uninspiring first half at the Riazor – where Madrid have not won since 1991 – but the hosts struck the decisive blow in the 58th minute when Pepe turned Filipe's cross past Iker Casillas and into his own net. Bernd Schuster's team offered little by way of response and stay eight points ahead of FC Barcelona, who would trim that lead to five if they overcome UD Almería on Sunday. The victory moves Deportivo three points clear of the relegation zone.

Sinama-Pongolle goals
Also moving clear of the bottom three are RC Recreativo de Huelva following their 4-2 home success against relegation rivals Real Murcia CF. Enrique De Lucas (16) gave second-bottom Recreativo the lead but the hosts hit back when Florent Sinama-Pongolle (19 and 70) scored either side of Ruben's 59th-minute effort. Ivan Alonso reduced the arrears (74) with a penalty but Recreativo restored their two-goal cushion through Marquitos (85).

Abandoned
The Real Betis Balompié- Athletic Club Bilbao match was abandoned in the 71st minute with the visitors leading 2-1 after Athletic goalkeeper Armando was struck by an object thrown from the stands. The 37-year-old left the field on a stretcher, forcing the referee to call a halt to proceedings. "Armando suffered a blow to the right eye and has bruising and a cut in the same area. He has had stitches," said Bilbao on their website, while a Betis statement confirmed that the "aggressor was immediately detained ... and will be prevented from attending future sporting events."

Prolific Fabiano
In the late game, Luis Fabiano scored twice inside the first 22 minutes to see off Valencia CF at Mestalla and propel Sevilla FC into the UEFA Champions League qualification places. Raúl Albiol scored a last-minute goal for Los Ché who remain ninth.

Real Madrid go five clear

Real Madrid restored their five-point lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga by winning 3-2 at Recreativo Huelva while the Catalans lost 4-2 at Atletico Madrid.

Real, who had lost three of their last four league games, fell behind at Recreativo when Uruguayan defender Martin Caceres steered the ball in at the far post following a free kick.

The visitors equalised against the run of play on 28 minutes when Raul headed over Stefano Sorrentino as the Recreativo keeper tried to punch the ball clear.

There was a flurry of red cards early in the second half, Recreativo having defenders Beto and Quique Alvarez dismissed either side of Real fullback Sergio Ramos's sending off.

It was the appearance of Robinho 17 minutes from time that proved decisive.

The Brazilian put Real in front with his first touch, firing home after he had snapped up a loose ball on the edge of the area.

Robinho then made it 3-1 with a delightful chip before Recreativo pulled a goal back in added time as midfielder Carlos Martins curled in a free kick.

Second-placed Barca started well at the Calderon, Ronaldinho putting his side in front with a spectacular overhead kick, but the goal only served to spark an extraordinary rally from Atletico.

Teenage striker Sergio Aguero equalised with a deflected shot on 36 minutes before providing a clever assist for fellow Argentine Maxi Rodriguez to put the home side in front.

Diego Forlan extended Atletico's lead with a penalty after Carles Puyol had pushed Aguero and the Argentine youngster capped a brilliant performance with a virtuoso solo effort to make it 4-1.

Samuel Eto'o scored Barca's second 16 minutes from time but Frank Rijkaard's side still slipped to their first defeat in nine league matches.

Sevilla lost for the first time in six outings, 2-1 at relegation-threatened Deportivo Coruna, despite taking the lead after a neat strike from Frederic Kanoute.

Relegation-threatened Depor equalised 10 minutes later with a penalty from Sweden midfielder Christian Wilhelmsson and midfielder Angel Latifa earned a valuable win when he steered in at the near post midway through the second-half.

Espanyol moved up to fifth after they claimed their first points in four matches after a double from striker Luis Garcia earned a 2-0 win at home to Valencia.

The Spain forward put the Catalans in front in the fourth minute after latching onto a neat flick-on from Jonathan Soriano and wrapped up the win with a penalty early in the second half.

Valencia midfielder Hedwiges Maduro was sent off 10 minutes from time after picking up a second booking.

Barcelona bid held up by Sevilla

FC Barcelona's bid to close to within one win of leaders Real Madrid CF proved unsuccessful as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Sevilla FC but Villarreal CF remain on course for a UEFA Champions League berth.

Inspired Valdés
The Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium was always going to be a difficult place for Barcelona to win at in their quest to haul themselves within three points of Madrid and the Catalan club were on the back foot from the start. Víctor Valdés was forced to make two good early saves from a Daniel Alves free-kick and Luis Fabiano's header and had to be at his best to keep out a volley from Frédéric Kanouté after a deep Diego Capel cross.

Capel opener
But the goalkeeper was finally beaten on 35 minutes when Capel scored his first goal in the Primera División by turning in a cross from Jesús Navas at the far post. The visitors improved after the interval and Xavi Hernández equalised with 15 minutes left as he poked in after a sublime pass from Lionel Messi. Sevilla's Seydou Keita was then sent off after picking up a second booking for a foul on Messi. Madrid could move eight points ahead of their rivals if they overcome Real Valladolid CF tomorrow.

Late winner
Villarreal rose to third in the table after a last-gasp goal gave them a 1-0 win at lowly Real Murcia CF in an uneventful match. The home side seemed set for a point that would have taken them out of the bottom three until Guille Franco struck to move the away side three points ahead of RCD Espanyol. Finally, RC Deportivo La Coruña earned a vital point with a 1-1 draw at home to Getafe CF as the visitors' Ikechukwu Uche (68) cancelled out Mario's own goal.

Impressive Almería shock Real Madrid

UD Almería brought Real Madrid CF's Primera División winning streak to a halt with a deserved victory at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos on Saturday night.

Winning run
Bernd Schuster's team had won their last eight top-flight fixtures, opening up a commanding lead at the top of the table. However Almería paid little regard to their visitors' achievements as the hosts struck in either half to shock the champions. Juanito scored the hosts' first after 16 minutes, turning a free-kick from the left over the line, despite the best efforts of Iker Casillas.

Van Nistelrooy woe
Real Madrid were second best for much of the first period, and their problems deepened when Ruud van Nistelrooy went down clutching his right ankle. The Dutch forward was replaced at half-time by Gonzalo Higuaín and within seconds of the restart Alvaro Negredo doubled Almería's lead from the penalty spot after a foul by Fabio Cannavaro. Almería are now seventh in the standings after their fourth successive victory, while Madrid's lead can be reduced to six points if FC Barcelona overcome CA Osasuna tomorrow.

Deportivo joy
Meanwhile, Saturday's only other game was focused on the other end of the table as RC Deportivo La Coruña claimed back-to-back victories for the first time this season with a 1-0 win at Real Betis Balompié. Pablo Amo scored the winner nine minutes before the break after turning in a right-wing cross at the far post. Deportivo missed a chance to make it 2-0 in the second half when Ricardo saved Juan Rodríguez's penalty but they held on to claim a win that moved them out of the relegation zone into 17th, just two points behind Betis.

Sevilla in pain by Getafe

Cosmin Contra scored a dramatic added time winner as Getafe CF opened their Primera División account for 2008 by coming from behind to add to Sevilla FC's woes with a 3-2 win while Valencia CF continue to toil as they were beaten by Villarreal CF.

Fabiano header
UEFA Cup contenders Getafe, who before tonight had not won in Spain's top-flight since a 2-0 victory against UD Almería on 22 December, found themselves behind 16 minutes into the contest at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez when Luis Fabiano headed in for his 13th goal in 13 league games this season.

Getafe comeback
Former Sevilla player Casquero equalised for the home side with 33 minutes on the clock however, rifling a right-footed drive into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area. Getafe then edged ahead 13 minutes into the second half when Albín got ahead of Ivica Dragutinović to stoop and head in from close range. The Serbian atoned for his error by making it 2-2 with a minute to go but Getafe would not be denied as Contra headed the winner. The win moved them up five places in the table into tenth while Sevilla, now without a victory in four league and cup games, remain eighth.

Villarreal third
Meanwhile, Villarreal now find themselves in third in the standings after they easily overcame local rivals Valencia 3-0 at El Madrigal. The UEFA Cup hopefuls, who travel to the capital to meet leaders Real Madrid CF next week, found themselves in front after just seven minutes when Robert Pirès curled in. Also hitting the frame of the goal four times, Villarreal added further goals through Joan Capdevila (63) and Nihat Kahveci (70). Defeat for Valencia left them ten points behind the top four in seventh.

Valencia earn valuable point

Ronald Koeman's Valencia CF came from two goals down to scramble a 2-2 draw at Real Zaragoza on Saturday to put the brakes on their slump in form while Sevilla FC were 4-1 winners against Real Racing Club Santander.

Valencia rally
Valencia were in trouble after a penalty from Argentine striker Diego Milito (18) and an own goal by goalkeeper Juan Luis Mora (29) put Zaragoza 2-0 up at the break. Serbia striker Nikola Žigić headed one back 13 minutes from time before winger David Silva earned his side their second point in five outings.

Koeman dismissal
Koeman had to watch most of the second half from the stands after he was sent off for losing his cool on the touchline. His side had made a bad start at La Romareda, third-choice keeper Mora giving away a penalty after clattering into striker Ricardo Oliveira. Milito took his tally for the season to nine goals when he sent Mora the wrong way from the spot.

Mora mistakes
Mora, preferred to Santiago Cañzares, then committed another error on the half-hour mark when he palmed a swirling cross from Sergio García into his own net. Valencia were lucky not to concede a third before the break and their luck changed when Koeman threw on Žigić in the second half, the Serbian international scoring their first league goal in five outings. Silva then weaved his way past two players and sent a curling shot into the far corner with seven minutes to go. Valencia lie seventh place on 26 points while Zaragoza are tenth on 21.

Sevilla success
Sevilla moved up to eighth after hitting four goals against Racing, who had the measure of their hosts for 66 minutes. Ezequiel Garay (49) had equalised Frédéric Kanouté's opener before the UEFA Champions League hopefuls moved through the gears with goals from Ernesto Chevanton (66), Jesús Navas (85) and Adriano Correia (90). Meanwhile, Getafe CF are eleventh in the Primera División after a 2-0 win at UD Almería who had Albert Crusat sent off (77). Lucas Licht (37) and De La Red (85) were the visitors' goalscorers.

Eto'o strikes sink sorry Valencia

Samuel Eto'o scored twice as FC Barcelona demolished Valencia CF 3-0 on Saturday night after neighbours RCD Espanyol were 1-0 winners against lowly Levante UD.

Irresistible
Valencia, without either a win or a goal from their last five matches, were hoping to pick themselves up after finishing at the foot of their UEFA Champions League group on Tuesday. However, their misery continued as Barça put them to the sword with a devastating performance, in which Eto'o was irresistible.

Eto'o strikes
The Cameroonian international put the visitors ahead on 13 minutes when he recieved a Lionel Messi pass, turned two defenders and sent a fierce left-foot strike past Santiago Cañizares. Eto'o doubled his tally (27) when he finished off a fine team move involving Eidur Gudjohnsen and Messi and Gudjohnsen made it 3-0 (62) to complete a victory that moved Frank Rijkaard's side to within a point of leaders Real Madrid CF, who host CA Osasuna on Sunday, before facing Barcelona at Camp Nou next weekend.

Jarque goal
Earlier in the evening Espanyol moved into fourth place after a narrow win against bottom side Levante. Daniel Jarque González scored the only goal of the match on nine minutes when he followed up on a rebound after his initial header had been parried by Marco Storari. The home side held on to their slender lead to move into the UEFA Champions Leage places while Levante remain rooted to the foot of the Primera División with seven points from 16 matches.

Van Nistelrooy goal takes Madrid clear

A long-range finish from Ruud van Nistelrooy gave Real Madrid CF a 1-0 victory at Athletic Club Bilbao that stretched their Primera División lead to seven points.

Single goal enough
With Madrid's nearest challengers FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF not in action until Sunday, the champions had a chance to increase the gap at the top. Both teams came close in an exciting first half, but nine minutes after the interval Van Nistelrooy let fly from distance and the ball looped over the dive of Bilbao goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia. The Dutch striker nearly had another goal midway through the second period but Koikili made a superb saving tackle and Robinho hit the inside of the post. Still, one goal proved enough for Madrid, who need a point at home to S.S. Lazio on Tuesday to make sure of their UEFA Champions League progression.

Valencia held
The same night Valencia CF will be aiming for victory at Chelsea FC to salvage their European hopes, but today they were held 0-0 at CA Osasuna in an uneventful match in which the home side had the best of the few chances. Valencia remained sixth, ten points adrift of Madrid, while Osasuna moved ahead of Athletic into eleventh. Among Sunday's fixtures, Barcelona welcome struggling RC Deportivo La Coruña while Villarreal face lowly Real Betis Balompié.

Madrid make most of Barça draw

Real Madrid CF continue to set the pace at the summit of the Primera División after a 3-1 win against Real Racing Club Santander, while Sevilla FC suffered a surprise defeat at UD Almería and FC Barcelona were held by city rivals RCD Espanyol.

Raúl strikes
Madrid are four points clear at the top of Spanish standings after a comfortable home win. Raúl González opened the scoring at the Bernabéu after just four minutes and an own goal by Sergio Sanchez (11) gave the Spanish champions an early two-goal cushion. Raúl made it 3-0 with a 70th-minute free-kick before the visitors scored a consolation goal through Pedro Munitis (73).

Sevilla surprise
After overcoming Arsenal FC with a 3-1 UEFA Champions League victory on Tuesday, few expected Sevilla to encounter any problems against Almería but Peruvian defender Santiago Acasiete struck two minutes from time to leapfrog their opponents and move up to tenth place.

Derby draw
Barcelona looked as though they were going to make easy work of Espanyol at the Olímpico de Montjiuic when they took a sixth-minute lead through Andrés Iniesta following excellent work by Lionel Messi. Barça then twice struck the bar but the hosts came back into the match and grabbed an equaliser through Ferrán Corominas (69). The Blaugrana are second, level on 28 points with Villarreal CF, while Espanyol are two points further back in fourth.

Valencia CF lost ground

Valencia CF lost ground at the top of the Primera División as they fell to defeat at Real Racing Club Santander, who moved to within a point of their opponents and five behind another of Sunday's winners, Villarreal CF.

Valencia beaten
In a game devoid of goalmouth action, the only goal of the game in Santander came in the 70th minute courtesy of a long-range strike by former Valencia player Jorge López that goalkeeper Santiago Cañizares failed to deal with. The home side remain seventh in the standings, but closed on fifth-place Valencia, whose mood will contrast with local rivals Villarreal whose draw against UD Almería lifted them above FC Barcelona. Nihat Kahveci had put the hosts on course for a fourth consecutive league win that would have taken them top until Alvaro Negredo's equaliser eight minutes after the interval.

Seven-goal thrillers
Club Atlético de Madrid and Levante UD were both involved in thrilling 4-3 victories. Atlético twice came from behind against Real Valladolid CF before finally prevailing following an own goal from Pedro López in added time. Meanwhile, Levante picked up only their second win of the campaign when they fought back from 2-0 down to beat fellow strugglers Real Betis Balmopié, closing the gap to four points on their nearest rivals. RCD Espanyol jumped up to fourth in the table, a point above Valencia, thanks to a 2-1 victory at CA Osasuna, while RC Deportivo La Coruña staged a fightback to aid their relegation struggle, overturning a two-goal deficit to draw at Athletic Club Bilbao. In the late game, Getafe CF were unable to get a fourth consecutive league win despite taking the lead against Real Zaragoza as Andrés D'Alessandro's late goal cancelled out Sousa's effort.

Barcelona the star performers

FC Barcelona were the star performers of the three Spanish UEFA Champions League clubs in action on Saturday night, brushing aside RC Recreativo de Huelva as Sevilla FC lost and Real Madrid CF drew.

Ronaldinho out
Barcelona were without Brazil playmaker Ronaldinho, who had pulled out with fatigue, and a cutting edge early on as they struggled to break down a well-organised Recreativo until Gabriel Milito headed the opener from a corner in the 64th minute. Two minutes later, Xavi Hernández's deep cross was laid back into the centre by Thierry Henry for 17-year-old substitute Bojan Krkić to score the second.

Messi penalty
The visitors had only scored once in their previous seven games and were unable to react. They pulled down Messi for a penalty eight minutes from time, and the Argentina forward calmly slotted it away. Barça climbed to second in the standings level on 27 points with Villarreal CF, who tackle UD Almería on Sunday.

Headed goals
Madrid stay top, with 29 points, despite relinquishing a lead at Real Murcia CF. The champions went ahead in the ninth minute following a flowing move which ended with Guti chipping a lovely pass across goal for Robinho who raced in at the far post to nod the ball in. That was about as good as it got for Bernd Schuster's side, however, as Enrique De Lucas levelled with a special header of his own four minutes after the break. Guti was dismissed in the 83rd minute.

Mallorca surprise
In the day's other game, RCD Mallorca surprised Sevilla in Andalusia winning 2-1 thanks to superb first-half goals from Ariel Ibagaza and Fernando Varela. Sevilla pulled one back after the break from the head of Frédéric Kanouté, but they were unable to complete the comeback despite Mallorca finishing with ten men. Mallorca moved up to eighth with 19 points, while Sevilla stayed tenth.

LA LIGA Week 12

Real Madrid CF moved four points clear at the top of the Primera División after getting the better of a seven-goal thriller against RCD Mallorca while their city rivals Club Atlético de Madrid were held by UD Almería.

Seven-goal thriller
Spanish champions Madrid were handed the chance to extend their lead after FC Barcelona could only draw against Getafe CF on Saturday and got the perfect start when Robinho put them in front after ten minutes. Fernando Varela equalised just two minutes later before Robinho restored the home side's advantage with a third goal in five minutes. Mallorca stunned their opponents though when first Varela (37) hit a long-range effort in the top corner and then Daniel Güiza (59) gave them the lead. Madrid would not be denied an eighth home win in eight games this season, however, as Raúl González (63) and Ruud van Nistelrooy (73) struck to earn them maximum points.

Espanyol gain
Villarreal CF can cut Madrid's lead at the summit back to one point if they defeat Sevilla FC in Sunday's late game, but Atlético failed to put pressure on the top four after a goalless draw at Almería. They were replaced in fifth place by RCD Espanyol after the Barcelona-based side came from behind to beat Athletic Club Bilbao 2-1 where an own goal by goalkeeper Aitor Ocio in the last minute completed a fine comeback.

Racing boost
Real Zaragoza also squandered a lead as they were beaten 2-1 by second-from-bottom Real Betis Balmopié. Late goals from Xisco Muñoz (82) and Mariano Pavone (90) cancelled out Andrés D'Alessandro's opener (35) as Zaragoza were replaced in seventh place by Real Racing Club Santander, who were 1-0 winners at RC Deportivo La Coruña. Elsewhere, there were also 1-0 triumphs for 18th-placed RC Recreativo de Huelva against CA Osasuna and Real Valladolid CF, who are 17th, against lowly Levante UD.


FC Barcelona's travel-sickness continued on Saturday night as Manu Del Moral and Juan Albín struck to give Getafe CF a deserved, if unexpected 2-0 victory, as Valencia CF completed a routine 3-0 success against Real Murcia CF.

Manu strike
Manu put the hosts ahead after 27 minutes when he reacted first to Ikechukwu Uche's knock-down and, with Barcelona pressing forward for an equaliser, Albín struck in added time to deny Frank Rijkaard’s side any hope of going top of the Primera División. Barça had put on an excellent display to beat Rangers FC in the UEFA Champions League in midweek but their away form this campaign has been disappointing, the 2005/06 European champions managing just two wins on the road all season.

Worthy winners
Michael Laudrup's side, who were worthy winners, move up to eleventh place while their opponents, who squandered a 5-2 lead to lose 6-5 on aggregate against Getafe in the Copa del Rey semi-final last season, remain a point behind leaders Real Madrid FC, who play RCD Mallorca on Sunday.

Villa strikes
Valencia join the Blaugrana and Villarreal CF in joint-second place on 24 points after a comfortable 3-0 victory against Real Murcia. Los Che’s impressive start to the season had been undermined by six defeats from their last eight matches, but Iván Helguera helped his side get off to a promising start with an early goal at the Mestalla Stadium (12) before two goals by Spanish international striker David Villa (26, 51) rounded off a comfortable win.

La Liga week 11

Sevilla FC moved into the top half of the Spanish Primera División in style on Saturday, defeating the leaders Real Madrid CF 2-0 to the delight of new coach Manolo Jiménez.

Best form
Appointed as a replacement for Juande Ramos last Saturday, Jiménez started with a 3-0 win at Valencia CF before going down 4-3 at Club Atlético de Madrid on Wednesday. Yet again, though, Sevilla saved their best form for the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán as Seydou Keita, with his first league goal since his summer move from RC Lens, and Luis Fabiano scored within the space of two first-half minutes against the champions.

Keita strike
Keita was the first to make his mark, beating Iker Casillas with a superb half-volley from 25 metres in the 18th minute. Madrid were stunned, and were undone again soon after as Frédéric Kanouté showed tremendous skill to bring down a long ball and unleash a shot which Casillas saved. Luis Fabiano was first to the rebound and drilled it in for his sixth goal in four league games. Madrid's former Sevilla favourite Sergio Ramos then was sent off in the 51st minute.

Morientes double
Valencia also have a new coach following the sacking of Quique Sánchez Flores, although Ronald Koeman was only in the stands as the east-coast club defeated RCD Mallorca 2-0. Fernando Morientes scored both goals, the second a lovely finish from David Silva's fine pass. The home side threw everything forward to try to rescue the match but Timo Hildebrand thwarted late efforts from Daniel Güiza, Juan Arrango and Héctor Berenguel.

Words of praise
Valencia's caretaker coach Óscar Fernández said: "My team responded extraordinarily well to the challenges this game threw up. I only have words of praise for everyone especially for their part in the last 25 minutes of the first half when we played with order, concentration and with everyone perfectly placed on the pitch. My first line of defence was Fernando Morientes and my last was Timo Hildebrand."

Frank Rijkaard conceded that second-from-bottom Real Valladolid CF were "a very strong side on their own turf" after FC Barcelona were held to a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Municipal José Zorrilla on Thursday night.

Smart equaliser
Barça lost ground on Primera División leaders Real Madrid CF as struggling Valladolid made life uncomfortable for them. Joseba Llorente put Los Pucelanos into the lead with a 16th-minute strike but Ronaldinho finished smartly just before half-time to secure a share of the points for Rijkaard's team. The result leaves Barça second in the table, level with Villarreal CF on 21 points but four points adrift of Madrid.

Coach disappointed
"Out on the pitch you can't say anything about quality if you don't work as hard as your opponents," said the Dutch coach. "When you say that [defender Gabriel] Milito and [goalkeeper] Víctor Valdés were our best players that says it all. Valladolid demonstrated that they are a very strong side on their own turf. In the second half they worked better as a team than we did." RCD Espanyol drew 0-0 against Real Murcia CF in the night's other game.

LA LIGA Week 10

Primera División leaders Real Madrid FC stormed to a 5-1 win at Valencia CF on a night when Ronald Koeman was confirmed as the new coach at Mestalla.

Madrid power
Departing PSV Eindhoven chief Koeman will take over on Friday following Quique Sánchez Flores’s sacking but his new team under caretaker Óscar Fernández were 4-0 down at half-time tonight. Within two minutes Raúl González had struck from distance, and Ruud van Nistelrooy produced two neat finishes either side of Sergio Ramos's angled shot. Miguel Ángel Angulo pulled one back just before the hour but Robinho made it 5-1 and Valencia had Raúl Albiol sent off late on.

Atlético pip Sevilla
Sevilla FC won their first game under Juande Ramos’s replacement Manolo Jiménez against Valencia on Sunday but it was tougher tonight as they lost 4-3 at Club Atlético de Madrid, who moved ahead of Los Che into fourth. Maniche struck for the home side in the opening seconds but Luis Fabiano equalised and although Sergio Agüero restored Atlético's lead, Zé Castro's own goal made it level at the break. Maxi Rodríguez put the capital club back ahead with 21 minutes left and substitute José Manuel Jurado made it safe as the game entered added time despite Luis Fabiano's subsequent strike.

Villarreal rise
Villarreal CF moved up to second, within four points of Madrid, as they gained a 3-0 derby victory against winless bottom side Levante UD with goals from Guillermo Franco, Giuseppe Rossi and Pascal Cygan. FC Barcelona can move back to within two points of Madrid on Thursday if they win at lowly Real Valladolid CF while RCD Espanyol welcome Real Murcia CF.

Zaragoza success
Real Zaragoza are seventh after they overcame UD Almeria 1-0 and RCD Mallorca were held 1-1 at RC Deportivo La Coruña. Struggling Getafe CF were boosted by a 2-0 win against Athletic Club Bibao, while CA Osasuna defeated hosts Real Betis Balompié 3-0 and Real Racing Club Santander drew 0-0 at RC Recreativo de Huelva.

LA LIGA WEEK 9

Real Madrid CF continue to set the pace in the Primera División after a 3-1 success against RC Deportivo La Coruña on a night when FC Barcelona kept in touch with victory but Villarreal CF slipped two places after a shock 4-1 loss at Real Zaragoza.

Raúl contribution
Madrid had to come back from behind after Deportivo took the lead in the second minute through Xisco. Ruud van Nistelrooy replied for the hosts from the penalty spot within five minutes but not until eleven minutes from time did the hosts edge ahead, Raúl González coming off the bench to put the Spanish champions in front, before Robinho added a third late on. Real are top with 22 points from nine games, two ahead of Barcelona, who were triumphant against UD Ameira.

Henry opener
Thierry Henry put Barça head on 37 minutes and the result never really looked in doubt as both Geovanni and Henry missed further chances to extend the home side's lead. Lionel Messi converted a penalty ten minutes from time to round off the scoring. It was not such a happy evening for Villarreal, however, who slipped to fourth place after a heavy defeat in Zaragoza. Ricardo Oliveira broke the deadlock (37), Oscar González doubled the lead (50), Diego Milito scored from the penalty spot (67) and Sergio Garcìa made it 4-0 (79) before Robert Pirès grabbed a consolation (83).

Forlán winner
Zaragoza had themselves conceded four goals against Club Atlético de Madrid last weekend and the capital club won again at bottom club Levante UD, albeit by a narrower margin. Diego Forlán (27) grabbing the only goal of the game to take his side up to fifth place in the table.

Dady double
Elsewhere, CA Osasuna came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at home against struggling Real Valladolid CF thanks to a double strike from Portuguese foward Dady. Lowly Getafe CF suffered more domestic misery after a 2-0 loss at Real Racing Club Santander, while Real Murcia CF ran out 1-0 winners against RC Recreativo de Huelva.

RCD Mallorca denied RCD Espanyol the chance to join Primera División leaders Real Madrid CF on 19 points after a 2-2 draw which both teams ended with ten men.

Quick turnaround
Espanyol had been on a run of four league victories in a row including last week's defeat of previously unbeaten Madrid, but home side Mallorca led on two minutes as Juan Arango volleyed in Ariel Ibagaza's quickly taken free-kick. However, Arango headed Luis García's free-kick into his own net in the 21st minute and not long after Raúl Tamudo converted a penalty for Espanyol when he was fouled by Sergio Ballesteros, who was sent off.

Güiza equaliser
There was a red card for Espanyol early in the second half when Clemente Rodríguez was booked for the second time, and Mallorca were back on terms 21 minutes from the end as Daniel Güiza ran on to a long ball, turned in the box and shot inside the near post. Espanyol remain in fifth while Mallorca, two points adrift, are now just one place behind.

Athletic held
In the bottom half of the table, lowly Real Betis Balompié came away from Athletic Club Bilbao with a 0-0 draw in today's late game. Among Sunday's fixtures, Madrid play RC Deportivo La Coruña while Sevilla – in the first game under new coach Manolo Jiménez – welcome Valencia CF, one of three sides who could potentially overtake the leaders.

Sevilla success
It was also a bad night for Valencia, who missed out on the chance to go second after losing 3-0 at Sevilla in the late kick-off. Juande Ramos's successor, Manolo Jiménez, had every reason to be cheerful as Frédéric Kanouté (10), Christian Poulsen (73) and Luis Fabiano (86) scored to give the new coach a debut victory.