BETIS SHOCK REAL MADRID

Real Madrid threw away a lead as Real Betis did second-placed Barcelona a favour by coming from behind to see off the leaders in Seville.

Royston Drenthe scored after five minutes with Madrid looking in the same rampant mood which saw them thrash Real Valladolid 7-0 last weekend.

But Betis had other ideas and two goals in three minutes from Edu and Mark Gonzalez turned the game on its head.

After two straight defeats and with the relegation spots looming closer it was the Betis players who were the more inspired, and Real had fallen behind they hardly looked likely to come back.

Bernd Schuster's side stormed out of the blocks, taking the lead from their second attack.

A great pass from midfield sent Arjen Robben tearing away down the right, and his square ball across the area rolled past both Julio Baptista and the out-rushing Ricardo before arriving at the feet of Drenthe, who was left with a simple finish into the open net. Edu turned provider to cross from the left again and Gonzalez raced into the area to get his head to the ball before the Madrid defence.

BARCA STAY IN WITH A CHANCE

Barcelona moved to within six points of leaders Real Madrid following a dramatic 1-0 win over Osasuna at the Nou Camp on Sunday.

Buoyed by Real's 2-0 defeat at Almeria on Saturday, the Catalans began with the attacking verve missing in their recent games.

But the visitors resisted until the 87th minute, when Xavi fired home a dramatic late winner to give Barcelona hope of regaining the league title which had looked beyond them after they slipped nine points behind Real last week.

Villarreal's disappointing week continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Mallorca.

Having lost to Real Madrid last weekend and been knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Barcelona in midweek, two first-half penalties from Giuseppe Rossi and Angelos Basinas ensured the points were shared at the Estadio El Madrigal.

The draw means they remain 14 points behind Madrid in third place while Mallorca maintained a four-point cushion above the relegation zone.

Atletico Madrid's disappointing recent run of results showed no signs of abating as they were held at home by relegation-threatened Real Murcia.

REAL MADRID LOSE TO ALMERIA

Real Madrid were stunned by little known Almeria here on Laliga.Real Madrid's eight-game winning run came crashing to a halt on Saturday as Almeria stunned the Primera Liga leaders with a goal in each half.

Juanito Gutierrez put the hosts ahead after 18 minutes although replays suggest the ball may not have fully crossed the line.

Alvaro Negredo then doubled the lead just after half-time from the penalty spot after he had been brought down by Fabio Cannavaro.

Real had extended their lead at the top of La Liga to nine points last weekend but second-placed Barcelona could now reduce the deficit when they play Osasuna on Sunday.

Almeria demonstrated why they have won their last four league games without conceding a goal. Unfazed against the champions, they were clinical in attack and gave little away in defence.

They took the lead in controversial fashion. Madrid's defence made a hash of clearing Jose Manuel Mane's low cross and Juanito side-footed high into the goal.

RIJKAARD REFUSES TO GIVE UP

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has come out and said that his club is still in the title hunt and said that the title race is far from over.Real Madrid have extended their lead in the Primera Liga with nine points lead.Real Madrid won over Villareal 3-2 and Barcelona drew with Athletico Bilbao 1-1 to give Real Madrid 9 point lead in the standings.

Real also have a favourable run-in, where out of the current top 11 sides in the division they only have to play Racing Santander and Almeria away from their Bernabeu home, where they have won all 10 league games this season.

Rijkaard is not about to throw the towel in just yet, though, although he did admit Sunday's draw at San Mames was "a psychological blow for the team" after seeing Athletic net a 79th-minute equaliser through Fernando Llorente.

"We cannot say that we are going to relinquish anything.

"We have to look at ourselves and concentrate on our work. We have to continue working and fighting hard."

Barca midfielder Andres Iniesta added on his club's website: "We will not say goodbye to the league until it is mathematically over. There still remain a lot of matches."