Real stun Barca to reignite title race

Earlier Sevilla moved up into third place in the standings after an authoritative 3-1 win over fellow high-fliers Espanyol. Sevilla’s city rivals Real Betis missed their chance to stay in the Champions League places when they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Levante and are now in fifth place level on 50 points with Villarreal.

Knowing that nothing less than victory would keep alive their hopes of depriving Barca of the title, Real flooded forward in attack from the first whistle and were rewarded with a two-goal lead inside the first 20 minutes.

Zidane helped himself to the first after Ronaldo had dinked in a neat cross from the right and the Brazilian ended his recent goal drought with a simple header at the far post after David Beckham had sent a trademark free kick into the box. Former Real Madrid striker Samuel Eto’O pulled one back for the Catalans just before the half hour.