Real slump at Deportivo, Osasuna seize top spot
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-10-27 09:01

WHIRLWIND START

Deportivo made a whirlwind start at the Riazor against a weakened Real Madrid missing Ronaldo, Julio Baptista and Zinedine Zidane as they laid seige to their opponents' area in the opening quarter of an hour.

The chances came thick and fast from Depor, while Real managed to threaten the opposition goal just once in the first half when a weak shot from Robinho looped into Jose Molina's hands.

Depor eventually got the lead they deserved when De Guzman squeezed a superb shot past Iker Casillas and inside the far post after a neat pass from Diego Tristan in the 34th minute.

Juanma made it 2-0 before the break when he got in front of Ivan Helguera to head in a great cross from former Real Madrid midfielder Pedro Munitis.

The Deportivo centre back took full advantage of some appalling defending from the Real back four to make it 3-0 with another fine header six minutes from time.

Raul pulled one back for Real with a spectacular long-distance strike two minutes later but it was scant consolation for the visitors who turned in one of their worst performances of the season.

Barca had Malaga on the rack for much of the first half at the Nou Camp but were kept at bay by an inspired performance by their former keeper Francesc Arnau.

The Andalucians held out until 11 minutes before the final whistle when Barca were awarded a controversial penalty after Ronaldinho went to ground in the area although defender Juan Rodriguez appeared to have got to the ball first.

The Brazilian gave Arnau no chance when he blasted the spot kick high into the roof of the net to put the Catalans ahead.

Seven minutes later Larsson made sure of the victory with his first goal of the season, latching on to a slide-rule pass from Ronaldinho, fending off a challenge from a defender and finishing off with a delicate chip over the advancing Arnau.