Helguera heroics keep Real Madrid top in Spain

Ivan Helguera struck in the final minute to give Real Madrid a 1-0 league win away to Villarreal on Saturday and keep the European champions clear at the top of the table.

Villarreal had the better chances in an untidy game but Real kept pressing forward and were rewarded at the last gasp as Helguera stabbed in a right-wing cross from Oscar Minambres.

The result gave Real 54 points from 26 games and took them four points clear of second-placed Real Sociedad, who were left needing to win their game away to Racing Santander later on Saturday to cut that lead back to one point.

Deportivo Coruna, in third place on 48 points going into the weekend, were also looking to keep the pressure on the leaders in their game at home to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

Real Madrid face a testing Champions League game away to Lokomotiv Moscow on Tuesday but coach Vicente del Bosque nevertheless named what was close to a full-strength side, with only Claude Makelele given a chance to rest.

Raul came close to giving them the lead inside five minutes, as he beat two players on the edge of the box only to chip straight into the arms of Pepe Reina.

Villarreal gradually took control of the game, though, and Martin Palermo and Antonio Guayre both went close from well-worked moves in the first half.

Iker Casillas made an excellent double save to deny Palermo with 10 minutes to go but Real saved their best for last, Helguera cropping up unmarked at the far post after the home side had failed to clear a corner.

"We had some luck, scoring right at the end of such a close match," Del Bosque said. "We defended well throughout, though, and we did have a lot of chances."

"There's a long way to go but these three points are very valuable. It's a very attractive, competitive league."