Beckham bolsters Madrid chase

By Andy Hall

Real Madrid CF cut FC Barcelona's lead at the Primera División summit to seven points by winning 2-1 at CD Numancia on Sunday evening.

Heroic save
Referee Rafael Ramírez Domínguez pointed to the spot on 33 minutes when Madrid's Iván Helguera fouled Numancia's Miguel Pérez. Iker Casillas brilliantly saved Luis Tevenet's low-struck penalty and instead it was David Beckham who broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute with a superb free-kick. Míchel Salgado added a second 20 minutes later, although Madrid endured a nervous finale after Miguel headed a goal back for the top-flight's bottom club late on.

Spoils shared
Third-placed Valencia CF turned around a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 at home with Athletic Club Bilbao, leaving them seven points behind Madrid. Andoni Iraola put Bilbao in front from the penalty spot on 30 minutes after Marco Caneiro handled and Santiago Ezquerro extended the advantage on the hour. However, headed goals in the last 20 minutes from Mista and Marco Di Vaio secured a draw for the champions.

Emphatic win
Villarreal CF moved into sixth after an emphatic 4-0 win at Real Sociedad de Fútbol. A 75th-minute Juan Román Riquelme strike sandwiched by two Diego Forlán efforts plus an excellent José Mari Romero goal capped a memorable night for Villarreal. RCD Espanyol were held at home by Real Betis Balompié despite twice going in front. Iván De la Peña and Raúl Tamudo struck for the Barcelona-based side, with Marcos Assunçao and Fernando Fernández both scoring equalising goals.

Mallorca magic
Elsewhere, RC Deportivo La Coruña drew 1-1 at fellow mid-table side CA Osasuna, RCD Mallorca defeated Getafe CF 3-1 and Cani's 15th-minute strike for Real Zaragoza deepened Málaga CF's problems. Finally, Real Racing Club de Santander drew 2-2 at home against Levante UD.