Real Madrid bounced back from its midweek Champions League exit with a comeback 2-1 win over Espanyol on Saturday, although it was hardly convincing from the stuttering champions.
Espanyol stunned Real by taking a first-half lead through Valdo, but the hosts hit back with goals from Gonzalo Higuain and captain Raul, who scored the winner from the spot after being gifted a penalty when he was brought down in the area by Daniel Jarque.
The win should also allow Real coach Bernd Schuster to breathe a little easier, with the German coming under the spotlight following a run of five defeats in seven matches, culminating in that costly European loss against Roma.
Real now sit eight points clear at the top of La Liga ahead of second-placed Barcelona’s home clash with Villarreal on Sunday.
In Saturday’s other game Manolo Villanova won in his first game in charge of Real Zaragoza as the relegation-threatened side beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 at La Romareda.
Simao Sabrosa put the visitors in front in the first half, but a dreadful error from Atletico defender Pablo saw him put through his own net to allow Zaragoza to pull level before the break.
Simao then turned villain by giving away a penalty 17 minutes from time, and Diego Milito stepped up to give Zaragoza a lifeline at the bottom of the league.
The defeat will pile the pressure on Atletico boss Javier Aguirre, as his side have now lost three of their last four games in La Liga.
Along with Barcelona’s match with Villarreal, Sunday’s games see European hopefuls Racing Santander face Real Betis; Javier Clemente’s new side Real Murcia host Getafe; relegation-threatened Deportivo La Coruna travel to Valencia; Sevilla play bottom side Levante; Athletic Bilbao meet Real Valladolid; Osasuna take on surprise-package Almeria; and Real Mallorca host cellar-dwellers Recreativo Huelva.