Spain round-up: Real take pole position

Real Sociedad returned to the top of the Primera División with four games left thanks to a 1-0 win against lowly RC Recreativo de Huelva.

Nihat goal enough
RC Deportivo La Corña's defeat yesterday by Valencia CF gave Real the chance to move three points ahead of last week's leaders. And they duly did when Nihat Kahveci's seventh-minute goal proved enough for a victory which clinches Real their first UEFA Champions League place for next season.

Madrid hit form
Real Madrid CF are second, a point behind Real, as they bounced back from their Champions League exit with a 5-1 win at Málaga CF. The recalled Fernando Morientes gave them an early lead, added to in the opening quarter-hour by goals from Raúl González and Roberto Carlos. Mortientes and Raúl each scored their second after the break, with Manu Sanchez on target for the visitors.

Celta stunned
Valencia held on to the fourth Champions League place by two points as RC Celta de Vigo collapsed to a 5-0 defeat at Villarreal CF. Peter Luccin and Mido were sent off in the opening 21 minutes for Celta, and although they held on until half-time, the nine men were sunk by a double by substitute Antonio Guayre, and further goals from Victor Fernández and Martín Palermo.

Comeback joy for Athletic
Athletic Club Bilbao continued to hold the final UEFA Cup place as they remained in the top six with a 4-2 victory against relegation-threatened Deportivo Alavés. The second-bottom team had moved into a 2-0 lead, but Athletic's superb comeback ensured they moved a point ahead of RCD Mallorca.

Barcelona beaten
Mallorca themselves severely damaged FC Barcelona's European hopes with a dramatic 2-1 victory at Camp Nou. Barcelona fell behind in the first-half, but seemed to have salvaged a point when Patrick Kluivert equalised on 72 minutes. However, Carlos Domingues restored Mallorca's lead three minutes from the end, and Gabri's added-time sending-off confirmed a defeat which leaves Barcelona four points behind Athletic, and in danger of their first failure to qualify directly for one of Europe's major club competitions.

Osasuna move up
Club Atlético Osasuna moved out of the relegation zone, three points ahead of Recreativo and Alavés, with a 2-1 win against UEFA Cup candidates Real Betis Balompié. Francisco Puñal scored the winner from the penalty spot six minutes before the interval.

Rayo adrift
Bottom side Rayo Vallecano staged a remarkable comeback to earn a 3-3 draw against Sevilla by scoring two goals in the closing stages of the game, but are now eight points adrift of Osasuna and could go down next week, while Real Valladolid and RCD Espanyol are not out of danger following their 1-1 draw.