Real and Barcelona cap home wins; Villarreal, Valencia fall

These results suggest that the battle for the "Liga" title could soon become a two-horse race, the same as in the past three seasons.

 Real beat Deportivo Coruna 3-1 with goals from strikers Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Raul Gonzalez and Robinho.

 As in the game against Olympiakos on Wednesday, Real conceded an early goal - scored by youngster Xisco Jimenez - and could have let in more, but came out on top thanks to their legendary fighting spirit - and thanks to their firepower in attack.

 It was a similar story in the Camp Nou, where Barcelona failed to play well but still beat spirited Almeria 2-0, with goals from Thierry Henry, despite a suspicion of offside, and league top scorer Lionel Messi, from a non-existent penalty.

 Real are two points clear of Barca at the top, with 22 points from nine games.

 In joint third place, on 18 points, are Villarreal and Valencia, who both had a miserable Sunday on the road.

 Villarreal were thrashed 4-1 by resurgent Zaragoza, Valencia lost 2-0 away to Sevilla in Sunday's late game.

 The win over Valencia was a dream start for new Sevilla coach Manuel Jimenez, who took over on Saturday from Juande Ramos who had controversially jumped ship to Tottenham Hotspur.

 There were many banners in the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan criticising Ramos for his departure, accusing him of being an unprincipled mercenary.

 Sevilla went ahead after just nine minutes, when a mistake from Valencia defender Raul Albiol allowed Frederic Kanoute to score from close range.

 Sevilla midfielder Christian Poulsen had a "goal" disallowed for offside just before the interval, but really made it 2-0 in the 73rd minute with a left-foot drive after more hesitation in the Valencia defence.

 Luis Fabiano completed the rout five minutes from time, after being set up by fellow Brazilian Renato.

 Timo Hildebrand came back into the Valencia side in place of veteran keeper Santago Canizares - who has been showing his age recently - but was not to blame for any of the goals.

 The handsome win takes Sevilla up to tenth, and shows that there is life after Ramos.

 Earlier on Sunday, Atletico Madrid had moved up to joint fifth by winning 1-0 away to bottom team Levante with another goal from Diego Forlan.

 Atletico are level on 17 points with Espanyol, who on Saturday drew 2-2 away to seventh-placed Mallorca.

 In eighth place now are Racing Santander, 2-0 winners over lowly Getafe. Zaragoza are ninth and Sevilla tenth.

 In Sunday's other games, Murcia beat Recreativo Huelva 1-0 and Osasuna came from behind to force a 2-2 draw against Valladolid.By Duncan Shaw, dpa