Zaragoza make bid for safety

Real Zaragoza dispatched eighth-placed Villarreal CF 4-1 at La Romareda on Sunday to improve their chances of avoiding relegation from the Primera División.

Alvarez dismissal
Víctor Muñoz’s charges won their second consecutive league match for the first time this season following defeat of Real Sociedad de Fútbol at the start of the month. It was a victory that appeared likely as soon as Villarreal's Quique Alvarez received his marching orders for a second bookable offence in the 21st minute.

Skipper off
Argentinian midfield player Leonardo Ponzio opened the scoring, rifling in a vicious 30-metre shot in the third minute before Rubén Cani doubled the advantage 17 minutes later. Dani made it 3-0 but Juan Román Riquelme converted a penalty to reduce the deficit in the second half after Zaragoza captain Luis Cuartero was dismissed for a foul on Sergio Ballesteros. David Vílla restored the three-goal cushion late on.

Ronaldo double
Ronaldo inspired Real Madrid CF to a 4-2 away win against RCD Espanyol on Saturday. The Brazilian tucked in a 26th-minute penalty and struck again in the second half, feinting brilliantly and then dancing past Erwin Lemmens to collect his 21st league goal of the season. Roberto Carlos, with a typically spectacular shot following a raking 30-metre ball from Zinedine Zidane, and Raúl Bravo were the other scorers. Another penalty from Raúl Tamudo and a late Alberto Lopo goal kept dignity intact for the hosts. Carlos Queiroz’s side, now five points clear at the top of the table, face FC Bayern München in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.

Gerard winner
Madrid’s title challenge was further boosted by resurgent FC Barcelona’s away defeat of second-placed Valencia CF 1-0, also on Saturday. Gerard López, once a firm favourite of the ‘Che’ fans, headed in a corner against his former club in the 77th minute. The match, in which Amedeo Carboni was sent off in the final stages, was keenly contested and chances were rare.

Solitary effort
Albacete Balompié moved 18th thanks to a 1-0 defeat of bottom club Real Murcia CF after an own goal from Iván Cuarado while CA Osasuna and RCD Mallorca cancelled each other out in a 1-1 draw. A solitary strike from Rodolfo Bodipo saw off Real Valladolid CF 1-0 and, in Sunday’s late game, Athletic Club Bilbao and Real Betis Balompié drew 1-1.

Third win
Elsewhere, Sevilla FC won their third league game in a row thanks to a late Germán Hornos goal in a 1-0 win against Real Sociedad. Málaga CF overcame RC Celta de Vigo 2-0 with goals from Salva and Diego Torres and RC Deportivo La Coruña missed the chance to encroach on the top two as they were held to a goalless draw at Club Atlético de Madrid.