Real Madrid edge out Deportivo to remain top

Real Madrid beat Deportivo Coruna 2-1 at the Bernabeu on Sunday to extend their perfect home league record and stay two points clear at the top of the table.

Ronaldo put Real ahead in the final minute of the first half but Deportivo hit back in the 63rd minute when Walter Pandiani scored within 15 seconds of coming on as a substitute.

Real, needing to win to stay clear of Valencia at the top, got the winner five minutes from time when Raul turned in a cross from Roberto Carlos.

The result gave Real 36 points from 16 matches and kept them two points ahead of Valencia, who had briefly gone top after winning 1-0 away to Real Betis with an own goal from Juanito.

Deportivo stay third, now six points behind the leaders, with Osasuna fourth on 27 points after a goalless draw away to Racing Santander.

Osasuna could, in fact, find themselves two points better off, after Racing briefly exceeded the limit on non-European Union players in their side.

Coach Lucas Alcaraz quickly rectified the situation but in recent years the Spanish Football Federation have punished similar slip-ups by awarding victory to the opposing side.