Real's controversial draw

Saturday's 2-2 draw with Valladolid has left Real Madrid floundering in 12th place, and the game was marred by accusations of cheating.

Right-back Michel Salgado spoke out on Sunday about the visitors' controversial opener. The incident occurred in the fifth minute shortly after Zinedine Zidane had given Madrid the lead.

The Real defence stopped when they heard a whistle for a Karanka foul on Chema, but ex-Real star Tote picked up the loose ball and crossed to a waiting Fernando Fernandez to tap in.

Madrid stars Zidane, Roberto Carlos protested to ref Jesus Tellez Sanchez, who claimed he played the advantage, "I haven't blown for anything," he told them.
Salgado is convinced he heard a whistle coming from the pitch and not the stands.

"A Valladolid player whistled shortly before the goal," he explained, "Football is for sharp thinkers and they were cleverer than us. It's a shame because this draw has stopped us from going up the table - it's a jug of cold water on the great run we've been having lately."

Later, it emerged that it could have been Columbian midfielder Harold Lozano who whistled as Karanka hacked down Chema, even though the player denies it.

Real Madrid are facing one of their busiest months which could make a comeback even more complicated - the champions jet out to Las Palmas on Wednesday in the first of a whistle-stop 10 games during the month of October.