Real Madrid's lead at the top of the table could shrink back to five points if Barcelona beat Almería later today after a fourth defeat in six outings yesterday.

Seventeen seasons have gone by since Real Madrid's last win at the Riazor stadium, a run that was extended yesterday by an own goal from Brazilian defender Pepe (photo) who put through his own net in the 58th minute.

Elsewhere, a quick-fire first-half brace from Luis Fabiano secured Sevilla a 1-2 victory against struggling Valencia at the Mestalla that moves the Andalucía outfit provisionally up into fourth spot.

Yesterday's match between Real Betis and Athletic Bilbao had to be abandoned in the 72nd minute with the score standing at 1-2 when visiting keeper Armando was injured after being hit in the face by a bottle thrown from the stands.

Saturday, 15th March
Recreativo Huelva 4-2 Murcia
Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 Real Madrid
Valencia 1-2 Sevilla
Real Betis 1-2 Athletic Bilbao (match abandoned)

Liga table, 15th March
1  Real Madrid  62*
2  Barcelona  54
3  Villarreal  50
4  Sevilla  45*
5  Atletico Madrid  44
6  Racing Santander  44
7  Espanyol  42
8  Almeria  37
9  Getafe  36
10 Valencia  36*
11 Real Mallorca  34
12 Deportivo La Coruna  34*
13 Athletic Bilbao  33
14 Osasuna  33
15 Real Zaragoza  32
16 Real Betis  32
17 Recreativo Huelva  32*
18 Real Valladolid  31
19 Murcia  23*
20 Levante  19
*played 28, the rest have played 27

Sunday, 16th March
Espanyol vs Mallorca
Getafe vs Racing Santander
Valladolid vs Osasuna
Villarreal vs Real Zaragoza
Almeria vs Barcelona
Atletico Madrid vs Levante