Luque lights up Deportivo

By Andy Hall

The week's UEFA Champions League engagements appeared to have taken their toll on the top two in Spain on Saturday as leaders FC Barcelona drew 1-1 away to CD Numancia while Real Madrid CF lost away to RC Deportivo La Coruña.

Early goals
Madrid are eight points behind Barça after their 2-0 defeat to Depor, who climbed up to eighth place with the win. The Galician side took just 12 minutes to gain a two-goal advantage with both goals coming from the right flank. Albert Luque beat the Madrid defence to glance a near-post header in on seven minutes then Víctor Sánchez's cross brushed the head of Francisco Pavón and deflected over Iker Casillas for the second. The goalkeeper then tipped over another Víctor effort to prevent a third goal.

Zidane worry
The Madrileños clearly missed absent stars Michel Salgado, Iván Helguera and Ronaldo and suffered another hammer blow when Zinedine Zidane was forced to quit the field with what looked like a groin injury on 27 minutes. Apart from off-target efforts from Javier Portillo and David Beckham, Madrid rarely threatened the Depor goal.

Frozen pitch
On a frosty night at Los Pajaritos, Barça and Numancia struggled to play their normal game on a frozen pitch. Barça's sole achievements during a difficult first half were Deco and Xavi Hernández's unsuccessful attempts on goal. Numancia stunned the leaders when Juanlu's audacious bicycle-kick went through Víctor Valdés's legs just before half-time.

Giuly knock
Rafael Márquez levelled at the near post on 47 minutes but there were to be no more goals. Barça remain top on 58 points and await news of Ludovic Giuly, who quit the game injured on 54 minutes. The point will be of little use to Numancia's cause - they are unmoved in last place on 18 points.

Espanyol fourth
RCD Espanyol move into fourth after beating Albacete Balompié 2-1 in Montjuïc. Maxi Rodríguez headed the Catalan side ahead on five minutes, before Raúl Tamudo doubled the lead on 23 minutes. However, Uruguayan striker Antonio Pacheco made sure of a nerve-wracking final half-hour by smashing a glorious strike past Carlos Kameni.

Mallorca beaten
Like Numancia and Albacete, RCD Mallorca remain locked in the relegation places after losing 2-1 at home to Levante UD. Luis García put the islanders ahead on 55 minutes, but on-loan striker Sergio García equalised eight minutes later and Jofre González headed in the winner with just eight minutes to play.