La Liga Review

La Liga Review

Cristiano Ronaldo scored before being sent off as Real Madrid bounced back from last weekend's defeat to Barcelona to beat Almeria 4-2 in an incident-packed match.

Ronaldo, starting his first home match in over two months due to his ankle injury, also created a goal and missed a penalty as Madrid made hard work of seeing off lowly Almeria.

There appeared little sign of the drama to come as Manuel Pellegrini's men ended an impressive first-half display 1-0 up thanks to Sergio Ramos' header.

But Almeria, who did not have a shot in anger in the opening period, stunned their hosts with two goals in three minutes from Fernando Soriano and Kalu Uche to lead 2-1.

That sparked the home side into action, and Madrid responded with goals from Gonzalo Higuain, Karim Benzema - who netted after Ronaldo's penalty had been saved - and then Ronaldo in the final 17 minutes.

The former Manchester United man was booked for taking his shirt off to celebrate that goal, and that proved costly as four minutes later he was handed his marching orders after picking up a second yellow following a tussle with Michel.

His dismissal did not cost Madrid dear in this match though as they held on to make it seven home wins from seven and keep the pressure on leaders Barca.

However, Real's great rivals did not flinch in their match later in the evening as Lionel Messi struck twice to give them a hard-fought 3-1 win at in-form Deportivo La Coruna.

The Galicians had won eight of their 12 league matches prior to the game and proved hard to break down.

Messi put Barca in front after 26 minutes, but Deportivo hit back later in the first half through Adrian Lopez.

The game could have gone either way after that, but Barca's superior quality eventually told as Messi headed the Catalans back in front with 10 minutes remaining.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic rounded off an important victory for the visitors with a third goal right at the death.

Barca's win restored their five-point advantage of Real, although they have played a game more.

Third-placed Sevilla saw their title hopes suffer a setback as they were held to a draw by 10-man Valladolid on Saturday.

Manolo Jimenez's side went behind after 33 minutes when Angola striker Manucho gave the visitors a surprise lead.

But Valladolid found themselves a man down five minutes later after Borja Fernandez was sent off for a cynical lunge on Diego Perotti.

Things then went from bad to worse for Jose Luis Mendilibar's side as they conceded a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Luis Fabiano converted and it looked as if it would be one-way traffic in the second half.

But the Andalusians failed to make their numerical advantage count despite creating numerous chances and, for the second weekend running, were unable to make up any ground on the top two.

Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero were on target for Atletico Madrid as they beat Xerez 2-0.

Forlan converted a cross from Jose Antonio Reyes for the opener after 29 minutes and strike partner Aguero struck the second after 65 minutes as Atletico secured a second successive victory.