Depor defeat sees Real Madrid close gap

Deportivo Coruna crashed to a 4-1 defeat at Real Mallorca on Sunday, allowing a resurgent Real Madrid to close to within four points of the Spanish league leaders.

Goals from Alberto Luque put Mallorca 2-0 up against the league leaders and although Walter Pandiani pulled one back the islanders ran out deserved winners with second-half strikes from Veljko Paunovic and Alejandro Campano.

Deportivo's defeat followed similar setbacks for Alaves, Barcelona and Valencia on a bleak weekend for the leading sides.

All that spelled good news for Real Madrid, who beat city rivals Rayo Vallecano 3-0 to roar back into the title reckoning.

Although they remain down in seventh place, Vicente del Bosque's side are now just a point behind eternal rivals Barcelona, and Deportivo are firmly within their sights.

After 14 games, Deportivo lead the standings with 26 points, two clear of Alaves, who went down 1-0 at Villarreal.

Real Betis moved up to third, behind Alaves on goal difference, thanks to their 2-1 win at Osasuna.

Barcelona are in fourth on 23 points following a 2-1 defeat at home to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Valencia, who lost their unbeaten league record with a 2-0 defeat at Real Sociedad on Sunday, are behind the Catalans on goal difference. Bilbao move up to sixth, also on 23 points.

Real Madrid are a point further back in seventh after their deserved victory at bottom club Rayo.

Del Bosque's side almost found themselves a goal behind to Rayo in the first minute as Elvir Bolic raced on to a long ball through the middle and smacked a shot just wide, with Iker Casillas beaten.

Real responded in devastating fashion, though, to take the lead themselves 30 seconds later.

Luis Figo skipped past two defenders on the right wing and crossed to the far post, where an unmarked Fernando Morientes headed the ball back across goal, leaving Raul a simple finish.

Rayo were struggling to get the ball off their visitors and it was little surprise when Real went 2-0 up, Morientes receiving the ball outside the area in space and tucking in left-footed.

The pace dropped after the break but Real remained in control and Morientes wrapped up a fine win as Raul robbed the ball and slipped a pass through for his fellow Spain forward to convert his second.

"We were able to take advantage of mistakes from our rivals," said Del Bosque.

"The players did exactly what they had to do, working as a team throughout."