Real punishes Barcelona slip to surge clear

MADRID: Real Madrid came out of its recent slump to defeat Sevilla 3-1 on Sunday and stretch its lead at the top of the Spanish first division to six points.

Villarreal, 3-0 conqueror of Atletico Madrid, is in second place while Barcelona is a point further back in third.

Barca's 3-2 slip against Real Betis on Saturday presented Real with a perfect opportunity to take a giant step toward retaining its title and the champion grasped it with both hands.

"It was a complete game from my team, from defense right through to the attack," said Real coach Bernd Schuster.

"Everyone played to their top level tonight and for that reason I don't want to single out individuals for praise.

"After the bad luck against Valencia we have won an important game and we just have to continue what we are doing to win the title and not look back."

Gabriel Heinze's first league goal for Real put the host ahead as early as the seventh minute, only for Frederic Kanoute to level the scores on 37 minutes.

However, captain Raul Gonzalez scored minutes later for his 290th Real goal to make him the club's joint second all-time top scorer along with Carlos Alonso Santillana. He is hunting Alfredo di Stefano's mark of 307.

Gonzalo Higuain added a third as Real ended a sequence of two successive league defeats.

Sevilla lost ground in its Champions League race and is five points behind Atletico and Racing Santander, which is fourth and fifth respectively.

"It was an open game with both teams going for it," said Sevilla coach Manolo Jimenez. "Real had more chances than us, although we had opportunities ourselves, and I think the second goal was the key."

Unfashionable Racing continue to dream of Champions League football after Sunday's 3-0 win at rival Espanyol moved it level on points with fourth-placed Atletico.

"We are delighted with the win and above all how we won," said Racing coach Marcelinho Garcia. "We have taken an important step but not a decisive one. We just have to concentrate on trying to win next Sunday's match."

After losing 3-2 at home to Valencia, Real was keen to put on a good show at the Santiago Bernabeu - recently confirmed as the venue for the 2010 Champions League final.

Pepe was injured on international duty with Portugal so Heinze moved into central defense.

Sevilla had a full-strength team with Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano, who has openly admitted that he would relish a summer move to Real, particularly keen to impress.

Real took a seventh-minute lead with Wesley Sneijder's terrific set-piece bumbled in by Heinze.

Raul was twice denied by Andres Palop but Kanoute volleyed home an equalizer on 37 minutes.

But Sevilla then switched off and a minute later Raul showed neat control before smashing the ball home to put the host back in front. Higuain then put the game to bed allowing Real to relax.

After beating Barcelona in the cup and Real in the league last weekend, Valencia came back down to earth with a demoralizing 3-0 home loss to Real Mallorca.

Spanish international Daniel Guiza scored a double to inflict an eighth home defeat on Valencia which has the Kings Cup final against Getafe to salvage a poor season that started with hopes of challenging for the title.

Real Zaragoza, which qualified for the UEFA Cup last season, is also having a horrid season and is fourth from bottom following a 2-1 defeat by fellow struggler Valladolid.

Deportivo La Coruna moved four points clear of the relegation zone with a 3-1 win over fellow struggler Real Murcia.

Levante has propped up the 20-strong table virtually the entire season and and fell to its 21st defeat of the campaign with a 2-1 loss at Almeria. It is now 14 points from safety with just 24 points left to play for.

AFP

(China Daily 04/01/2008 page22)