Spain round-up: Osasuna blow title race wide open

The Primera División title race swung in favour of Valencia CF tonight after struggling Club Atlético Osasuna shocked Real Madrid CF with a 3-1 win.

Helguera dismissed
The Basques put on an excellent performance at their El Sadar stadium, helped all the more by the sending-off of Madrid's influential Iván Helguera just before half-time. Valencia's point at RCD Mallorca on Saturday now takes on huge significance, as it edges them just in front of the reigning champions.

Sweet revenge
Madrid's bid to usurp Valencia from top spot came unstuck after 30 minutes, when their former reserve winger Fernando Sánchez opened the scoring. Sánchez hit a fierce drive from an indirect free-kick which Madrid goalkeeper César Sánchez spilt into the net.

Professional foul
Five minutes later, the Basques' harrying again worked as Iván Rosado won the ball deep in Madrid territory and played in Alfredo Sánchez, who chipped César exquisitely. And the visitors' cause was hampered further in first-half injury time when Helguera was sent off for a tackle on Rosado with the attacker in the clear 18 metres from goal.

Game over
But the best was yet to come from the home team, as 15 minutes from time, Ángel Lekumberri crossed for Rosado to launch a punishing volley past Sánchez to seal the points for Miguel Lotina's side. Madrid's goal, four minutes into the second half, was a close-range nudge by Fernando Morientes after shots from Raúl González and Luis Figo were blocked.

Makaay double
Two superbly taken goals by Roy Makaay and a cool finish from Diego Tristán gave RC Deportivo La Coruña a 3-1 win over RCD Espanyol to keep the pressure on the leaders at the top of the Spanish first division.

Lightning opening

Tristán tops Pichichi chart
It was the Spanish international's 19th goal of the season and his fourth in two games to take him to the top of the scoring charts. Four minutes later Makaay notched his second and Deportivo's third after a fine solo run. The Dutch international sped past the ragged Espanyol defence, drew Alfredo Argensó wide, before guiding the ball into the empty net.

Seeing red
Espanyol were reduced to ten men when Antonio Soldevilla was sent off midway through the second half, but the Catalan side scored a consolation goal a minute later when Pablo Rotchen headed in from a free-kick.

Crucial moment
Deportivo's win was somewhat soured by the 77th-minute dismissal of Mauro Silva for his second yellow card. The influential midfield player will now miss next week's crucial match against Valencia CF at the Mestalla.

Pressure on
Despite the win, Deportivo remain in third place in the table, but they are now just two points behind leaders Valencia, who were held to a 1-1 draw at RCD Mallorca on Saturday.

South American saviour
FC Barcelona consolidated their fourth place in the table after a 3-2 win over Deportivo Alavés, with Argentinian striker Javier Saviola scoring twice.

Relegation battle
In the congested lower reaches of the table, Rayo Vallecano claimed a hard-fought 1-0 home win against Real Valladolid, while Real Sociedad eased their relegation worries after they came from a goal behind to score a valuable 2-1 over Málaga CF.

Shock win
Martín Palermo was the hero for struggling Villarreal CF. Returning after four-and-a-half months out with a broken foot, the burly Argentinian striker came on as substitute and inspired his side to battle their way to a 2-1 win over high-flying RC Celta de Vigo.