A Roy Makaay hat-trick helped Deportivo La Coruna to a 5-0 thrashing of of Recreativo de Huelva, to close the gap at the top of La Liga to one point, following Real Madrid’s shock 5-1 home defeat to Mallorca on Saturday.
Deportivo are level on points with Real Sociedad who maintained their unlikely title challenge with a 1-0 win over Sevilla on Saturday.
Juan Valeron and Victor had put Depor on course for victory, before Makaay took over, scoring a hat-trick against the struggling Recreativo side.
Twenty four hours earlier, Mallorca produced the result of the season, when they ended Real Madrid’s 50 match unbeaten run at home in stunning fashion.
“Mallorca were superior to us,” Real coach Vicente del Bosque admitted.
“I’m not surprised, though. I have enough experience to see things with a bit of perspective. Virtually nothing surprises me in football.”
Real had gone ahead courtesy of Ronaldo’s 300th goal, but ater the break Mallorca produced an inspired spell of football. Walter Pandiani levelled the scortes, Samuel Eto’o was twice on target before a Roberto Carlos own-goal and a fifth from substitute Carlos, completed the rout.
Celta Vigo are up to the fourth Champions League spot despite being held 0-0 by lowly Alaves. Celta benefited from Valencia’s 2-1 defeat to Racing Santander.
Barcelona maintained their chance of securing a UEFA Cup berth, winning 3-0 against bottom side Rayo Vallecano. Radmori Antic’s side are now involved in a hectic battle with Mallorca, Malaga, Sevilla, Real Betis and Atletico Madrid and Atletic Bilbao. Only three points separate the seven teams with six games remaining.
