Ray of light for struggling Rayo Vallecano

Struggling Rayo Vallecano may have found a ray of light in the darkness of their season-long fight against relegation after their 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo on Sunday.

The goal, four minutes from time by defender Ramon De Quintana, gave them their first victory in four outings and although Rayo are still mired in relegation trouble in the penultimate place in the Spanish first division, three points will improve their hopes of salvation.

Celta had the best of the first half exchanges as the Galicians attacked in a bid to reverse the trend of recent years, they had lost each time in the last three seasons that they had visited Rayo, who are based in Madrid's industrial southern suburbs.

Peter Luccin went close several times, but after the break Rayo came more into the game and got the late winner when Michel Sanchez's cross was slotted home by De Quintana.

The defeat means Celta stay in fifth with 38 points from 25 games but they are now eight points adrift of a place in next season's Champions League and look ever more likely to be contesting the UEFA Cup for their sixth consecutive season rather than playing for the first time in Europe's premier competition.

Real Betis' similar dreams of Champions League competition for the first time also took a dive with a 2-1 defeat at Real Mallorca on Sunday.

Uruguayan international Walter Pandiani put Mallorca in front from the penalty spot just 27 seconds into the game, after Ariel Ibagaza had been brought down.

Betis striker Fernando Fernanez equalised for the visiting side from Seville after 21 minutes with a powerful header from a Denilson cross but Mallorca had the last word with Harold Lozano heading home an Ibagaza free kick.

Sevilla edged up to eighth, just one point and one place behind local rivals Betis, after a comfortable 2-0 win over Osasuna.

First half goals from Antonito Ramiro and Jose Antonio Reyes, the latter coming from the spot after Osasuna midfielder Moha El Yaagoubi had handled in the area, allowed Sevilla to coast in the second half, helped by Osasuna's lack of ideas about how to break down the best defence in the league.

Relegation-threatened Recreativo Huelva and Espanyol fought out an entertaining 0-0 draw, although it ultimately did neither side any good in their bid to avoid second division football next season.

Espanyol did most of the work but the best man on the pitch was Recreativo goalkeeper Jose Luque, who pulled off several spectacular saves including stopping a penalty on the hour by Raul Tamudo.

Real Madrid gave notice that now they are on top of the Spanish first division they intend to stay there, with a convincing 4-1 victory over Racing Santander on Saturday.

The European and world club champions went ahead after just 12 minutes when Luis Figo scored from the spot, his 10th goal of the season, after Ronaldo had been tripped.

Further goals from Zinedine Zidane, Javier Portillo and Jose Maria 'Guti' Gutierrez added to Madrid's tally.

Racing caused Real problems for much of the second half until they ran out of stream late in the game.

French midfielder Mehdi Nafti made the score 2-1 with a goal less than three minutes after the break and Real didn't end the game as a contest until Portillo scored 13 minutes from time.

Real have 51 points from 25 games and a three point advantage at the top.

Deportivo La Coruna moved up to second and have 48 points after beating Villarreal 2-1 but third-placed Real Sociedad are only one point further back and have a game in hand.

The long time league leaders from San Sebastian play host to fellow Basques Alaves later on Sunday.

Valencia lost their chance to keep pace with their championship rivals and slipped back to fourth after going down 1-0 at home to Atletico Madrid.

Former Spanish international Carlos Aguilera headed the only goal of the game after 72 minutes.