Spain round-up: Brilliant Real back in title race

Real Sociedad stormed back into contention for the Primera División title after a stunning 4-2 win against leaders Real Madrid CF.

Four-goal Real burst
Madrid, in irresistible form against Manchester United FC in midweek, were 3-0 down by the 32-minute mark, as Darko Kovacevic scored twice for Real and Nihat Kahveci added a third. A minute after Nihat's goal, Ronaldo pulled one back for Madrid, but within 60 seconds Xabi Alonso's superb curling effort had put Real 4-1 ahead. Substitute Javier Portillo scored six minutes from the end, but Real held on and are now within three points of Madrid, but still in third place behind RC Deportivo La Coruña on goal difference.

Celta delight
RC Celta de Vigo temporarily returned to the top four after a 1-0 win against Real Betis Balompié. Aleksandr Mostovoi's goal one minute before half-time ensured that the home team picked up all three points. However, Valencia CF leapfrogged back into fourth place after a 1-0 victory against Club Atlético Osasuna.

Late comeback
Club Atlético de Madrid trailed 3-1 to lowly RCD Espanyol with four minutes to go - only to keep their UEFA Cup qualification hopes alive by claiming a 3-3 draw. Raúl Tamudo's penalty and Alberto Lopo's goal just before the hour had put Espanyol 2-0 up, and although a Luis Garcia long-range effort pulled one back, Cyril Domoraud restored the two-goal margin with 13 minutes left. However, Mirsad Hibic volleyed a shot into the net to give Atlético hope, and Carlos Aguilera's added-time header clinched the draw.

Recreativo keep rising
RC Recreativo de Huelva extended their unbeaten run to seven games as they moved level on points with third-bottom Deportivo Alavés with a 1-0 win. Javi García's fourth-minute goal ensured Recreativo are also on terms with Osasuna, who occupy the last remaining place outside the bottom three.

Eto'o double snatches point
Real Racing Club Santander are three points clear of the relegation zone after a 3-3 draw with RCD Mallorca. Racing were 2-1 up on eight minutes, and extended their lead after the break, but Pablo Casar's subsequent sending-off changed the match, allowing Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o to score twice to level the game.

Rayo draw
Elsewhere, Rayo Vallecano remained in bottom place but picked up a useful point in a 1-1 draw with Athletic Club Bilbao, while Málaga CF are ninth after beating Real Valladolid 1-0.