Real chase Sociedad to the top of table

Real Sociedad regained the league leadership in Spain with a 1-0 win over Recreativo Huelva on Sunday but Real Madrid kept the title race fi...

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Real Sociedad regained the league leadership in Spain with a 1-0 win over Recreativo Huelva on Sunday but Real Madrid kept the title race finely poised with a crushing 5-1 win over Malaga that took them up to second.

With four games Left to play, Real Sociedad lead the standings with 69 points, followed by Real Madrid on 68.

Deportivo Coruna, the only other side with a chance of winning the league, slipped to third on 66 points after their surprise 2-1 defeat at home to Valencia on Saturday.

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“It’s going to be tight right up until the end,” said Real Madrid coach Vicente del Bosque. “Whoever wins the title will deserve it.”

A nervous Real Sociedad clinched victory over Recreativo thanks to a long-range effort from Nihat Kahveci after nine minutes and the excellent goalkeeping of Sander Westerveld throughout.

Real Madrid had no such problems beating Malaga as they brushed aside all talk of crisis at the club following their Champions League semi-final defeat by Juventus in midweek.

Fernando Morientes got the opening goal after five minutes, taking a pass from Guti and beating the keeper with a right-foot shot from just inside the area.

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Raul made it 2-0 on the quarter-hour and he set up Roberto Carlos for the third four minutes later.

Raul was once again the provider for the fourth, setting up Morientes early in the second half, and Spain’s leading international goalscorer scored the fifth himself, after Manu Sanchez had pulled one back for Malaga.

“It was easier than we expected,” Del Bosque said. “We gained control early in the match and showed some nice details.”

Valencia’s victory over Deportivo on Saturday took them up to fourth place overnight and they held on to the final Champions League qualification spot as Celta Vigo suffered a shock 5-0 defeat away to Villarreal.

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Celta had Peter Luccin sent off after just 20 minutes and Egyptian striker Mido followed him three minutes later.

Villarreal took time to take advantage but their opening goal from Antonio Guayre on 49 minutes opened the floodgates. With four games Left to play, Valencia are fourth on 56 points, followed by Celta on 54.

Athletic Bilbao stayed in the final UEFA Cup spot in sixth thanks to their 4-2 win at Alaves.

Real Mallorca moved up to seventh, within a point of Bilbao, thanks to their 2-1 win away to Barcelona, a result that leaves the Catalans four points away from a place in Europe for next season. (Reuters)