Real thriller puts Madrid into second place

Real Madrid took over from Sevilla as the nearest rivals to league leaders Barcelona when they beat their fellow championship contenders 3-2 in a thrilling game on Sunday.

Barcelona now have a two point lead over their eternal rivals after beating Real Sociedad 2-0 on Saturday with Sevilla two points further back in third.

"I told you that this team was recovering it's spirit, now you can see it for yourselves," Real coach Fabio Capello boasted to journalists at the post-game press conference.

"The first half was good in itself but in the second half we had quality, speed, determination. It was very, very good," added the delighted Italian.

Sevilla were 1-0 ahead at half time after Enzo Maresca hammered an almost unstoppable left foot volley into the corner of the net five minutes before the break.

Real got back on level terms after 62 minutes when an inch-perfect long pass by Jose Maria Gutierrez out of his own area sent Ruud van Nistelrooy clear for his 20th goal of the season.

"Guti's been decisive in the last three games, each time when he's come on as a second half substitute," acknowledged Capello.

Robinho put Real ahead with 12 minutes to go, following another outstanding pass from Guti but the Brazilian's extravagant celebrations lead to two absurd yellow cards in a matter of seconds to leave the home side a man down.

However, Sevilla were to have one of their own men dismissed within three minutes when Aitor Ocio saw red after a clumsy challenge on Mahamadou Diarra.

Van Nistelrooy then clinched three points with a header five minutes from the whistle although a lack of concentration allowed Uruguayan striker Ernesto Chevanton to get one back for Sevilla three minutes into injury time.

"I don't think we've lost the league, just an important opportunity to beat a direct rival," reflected Sevilla coach Juande Ramos.