Madrid march on with Sporting victory

Real Madrid CF came from behind to defeat Real Sporting de Gijón 3-1 and move three points clear of title rivals FC Barcelona ahead of the Azulgrana's fixture at Real Zaragoza on Sunday.

David Barral (53) silenced the Santiago Bernabéu when he was played in down the right, advanced into the penalty area and beat Iker Casillas with an angled drive into the roof of the net. The lead proved short-lived, however, as Rafael van der Vaart (55) equalised and Xabi Alonso (57) headed Manuel Pellegrini's team in front at the far post.

Gonzalo Higuaín rounded off the scoring midway through the second half with a superb solo effort, his 20th Liga goal of the season. The victory is Madrid's 14th from as many home league matches this campaign. Sevilla FC were beaten 2-0 at RCD Espanyol, for whom Pablo Daniel Osvaldo scored twice, and will surrender fourth spot if RCD Mallorca overcome mid-table Club Atlético de Madrid on Sunday.

Elsewhere, RC Deportivo La Coruña lost 2-0 at home to third-bottom Real Valladolid CF, squandering the chance to further their claims for a top-four place. Athletic Club, one place above Deportivo in sixth, also suffered their share of disappointment as Pedro León's 86th-minute equaliser earned ten-man Getafe CF a 2-2 draw at San Mamés. Both sides finished with ten men. Xerez CD, meanwhile, beat CD Tenerife 2-1 in the match between the division's bottom two, but are still eight points shy of safety.