Madrid lose as Riazor curse strikes again

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.