Del Bosque: Scatter-gun Palermo helped Real Madrid

A last-gasp goal from Ivan Helguera maintained Real Madrid's lead at the top of the La Liga table last night.

Helguera's effort finally shook off a stubborn Villarreal, who had chances of their own to upset the European champs.

Afterwards, Real trainer Vicente del Bosque said: "The game was very even and my team has had luck to find a goal through Helguera."

"The first-half was very even, in the second, Villarreal created many opportunities for themselves but (Martin) Palermo did not guess right when in front of goal."

"These are three very important points for the Liga in a game that has been far from easy."