Spain round-up: Makaay double boosts Deportivo

Roy Makaay was on target twice for RC Deportivo La Coruña as they moved to within a point of Primera División leaders Real Madrid CF with a 3-1 win at home to Sevilla FC.

Makaay adds two
Madrid's 1-1 draw with FC Barcelona on Saturday gave Deportivo their chance, and they took the lead in the 40th minute through Victor. Makaay added a penalty before the break, but six minutes after half-time Antonio pulled one back. However, David's dismissal on 65 minutes for a professional foul on Makaay proved critical for Sevilla, and the Dutch striker sealed the win four minutes later.

Five for Real
Real Sociedad are level on points with Deportivo in third after a 5-0 win against bottom side Rayo Vallecano. Francisco de Pedro scored a penalty on half-time to put Real ahead, and Valeri Karpin added another spot kick on 50 minutes. Nihat Kahveci then struck twice and Tayfun Korkut scored in added time to leave the top of the table delicately poised.

Celta rise
RC Celta de Vigo climbed above title-holders Valencia CF into the fourth UEFA Champions League qualifying slot as they won 2-0 at lowly Club Atlético Osasuna. Egyptian striker Mido, on loan from AFC Ajax, scored twice on 14 and 50 minutes.

Late drama
However, Osasuna remained outside the bottom three as both Deportivo Alavés and RC Recreativo de Huelva were beaten. Alavés seemed to be heading for a point at home to Málaga CF despite having lost Hermes Desio to a red card on 63 minutes, but in added time Uruguayan striker Dario Silva poked in from close range to keep Málaga's hopes of a UEFA Cup place alive.

Recreativo run ends
Recreativo are level on points but still below Osasuna and Alavés as their seven-match unbeaten run ended with a 1-0 defeat at Real Racing Club Santander. With each side down to ten men by half-time, Mariano Pernia's own goal on 53 minutes took Racing six points clear of the drop zone.

Espanyol comeback
RCD Espanyol are two points above the bottom three after coming back from three goals down to draw 3-3 with Athletic Club Bilbao. Santiago Ezquerro's second-minute goal was followed by a Francisco Yeste double before the half-hour. However, Maxi and substitute Savo Milosevic both scored in the first ten minutes of the second half, and Roger's penalty with 25 minutes remaining salvaged a point.

Late leveller
Elsewhere, Club Atlético de Madrid twice led Real Betis Balompié but had to settle for a 2-2 draw. Luis Garcia scored both Atlético's goals, the second 16 minutes from the end with Iulian Felipescu already dismissed for Betis. However, Arzu levelled six minutes from the end to allow Betis to remain a point ahead of Atlético in seventh.