Robben gets Madrid on the move

Real Madrid CF moved into joint-third in Spain as Arjen Robben's goal was enough for the champions to beat Villarreal CF 1-0 while Sevilla FC sit on the same point tally after they missed the chance to reclaim second place following a 1-1 draw with CA Osasuna.

Solo effort
Robben put in an excellent all-round performance at Santiago Bernabéu and nearly gave his side the lead in the 12th minute but his deflected strike from the edge of the area bounced off the crossbar. However, he did find the net 20 minutes later, running at the defence with purpose before curling in a superb effort. Madrid came under pressure in the second half, but Iker Casillas was in fine form and Villarreal could not find a way past him.

'Very important'
"It's very important not to have conceded but what was missing for us was more goals, 1-0 was enough for today but we must get better," said Robben, who added he was delighted Madrid had "started the New Year in the best possible manner". New signings Lassana Diarra and Klaas Jan Huntelaar both made their debuts and Robben said: "The game was an important one for [Huntelaar]. He'll score a lot of goals for Madrid."

Tight wins
Also on Sunday, Seville struggled to break down struggling Osasuna in the first half but Jesús Navas broke the deadlock five minutes after the break. Walter Pandiani struck in added time, though, to give the visitors a point. There were 1-0 wins for Málaga CF against Real Sporting de Gijón, Lolo getting the 34th minute winner, Real Racing Club at Real Vallodolid CF and UD Almería over Real Betis Balompié, who they overtake in the table. RC Deportivo La Coruña jumped into sixth place after a 2-1 at Getafe CF. Elsewhere, RC Recreativo de Huelva moved out of the relegation zone with a 3-1 home victory against CD Numancia while an 81st-minute goal from Athletic Club Bilbao's Andoni Iraola earned a 1-1 draw at home with RCD Espanyol.