Draw in Murcia leaves Real Madrid just 2 points ahead

 The reigning champions were relieved to escape with a draw, since Murcia missed good chances to win at the end.

  Real now have 29 points from 13 games, two more than second- placed Villarreal.

 Villarreal will go top for the first time in their history if, as expected, they beat Almeria at home on Sunday.

 Real went ahead in Murcia after just eight minutes, when the in- form Robinho scored with a diving header after a clever centre from Guti.

 However, the whites failed to build on their lead, partly because many players were looking jet-lagged and fatigued after two weeks of national team duty.

 Murcia worked hard to equalize and were rewarded with a goal in the 49th minute, when veteran midfielder Enrique de Lucas headed in a corner from Abel Gomez.

 Murcia continued to attack until the end, taking advantage of Real's fatigue and lack of ambition.

 Abel forced a sharp save from Iker Casillas six minutes from time, then Swedish substitute Henok Goitom shot wide with just Casillas to beat.

 Earlier on Saturday, Barcelona had joined Villarreal in second place on 27 points by thrashing Recreativo Huelva 3-0 at home, with second-half goals from Gabriel Milito, Bojan Krkic and Lionel Messi.

 Barca won despite the absence of Ronaldinho, who claimed that he was tired after playing twice for Brazil last week.

 In Saturday's other early match, Mallorca won 2-1 away to inconsistent Sevilla, with first-half goals from Ariel Ibgaza and Fernando Varela.

 Frederic Kanoute pulled a goal back for Sevilla, but Mallorca held on to win without too many problems, despite Varela getting himself sent off for dissent.

 The latest defeat leaves Sevilla stranded in 10th place, and puts them in poor heart for Tuesday's Champions League clash at home to Arsenal.

DPA