Real Madrid top after controversial defeat of Santander (1st Lead)

Nov 21, 2009, 20:06 GMT

Madrid - Real Madrid went to the top of the Spanish first division, albeit temporarily, with a controversial 1-0 home win over luckless Racing Santander on Saturday.

Gonzalo Higuain put Real ahead, Sergio Canales had a late equalizer for Santander wrongly disallowed for offside.

The tight win leaves Real two points ahead of Barcelona, who will regain the lead if they win away to Athletic Bilbao later on Saturday.

Real, still without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, looked sharp in the first half. In the 23rd minute Santander keeper Tono pushed out a Kaka centre to Ezequiel Garay, who calmly set up Higuain to make it 1-0 from close range.

The whites could have increased their lead before half-time. Santander finally came out of their shell and should have been given an equalizer 13 minutes from time but Canales was wrongly ruled offside.

The final whistle was greeted with more relief than joy in the Estadio Bernabeu, with almost as many jeers for the hosts as cheers.

Earlier on Saturday Sevilla consolidated themselves in third place with a 2-1 win away to lowly Tenerife.

South Americans Diego Perotti and Renato scored for Sevilla, Nino struck late for Tenerife.

'We were very sharp today,' said the in-form Renato. 'They are not a bad side, but we were a little bit better in all respects.'

Sevilla are now just one point behind Barcelona and three behind Real.

Argentine striker Perotti gave Sevilla the lead in the 33rd minute by turning in a centre from Spain winger Jesus Navas.

Four minutes after half-time, Renato made it 2-0 with a powerful drive, after being set up by Luis Fabiano.

Nino gave Sevilla hope by volleying home a handsome goal 14 minutes from time. But Sevilla had few problems in holding out for an important win.

Saturday's other early game saw Deportivo Coruna score a late 2-1 win at home to troubled Atletico Madrid.

Sergio Aguero gave Atletico the lead after just three minutes, only for defender Daniel Colotto to make it 1-1 in the 22nd minute with a powerful header.

Deportivo dominated the second half but Atletico seemed poised to take home a point. In injury time, however, Pablo Ibanez pulled down Alberto Lopo for a clear penalty - and Andres Guardado made no mistake from the spot.

Atletico midfielder Clever Santana was sent off for his protesting about the late penalty.

Atletico remain third from bottom. Deportivo, in contrast, are now fourth, three points behind Sevilla.