Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw at Real Mallorca in
the Primera Liga on Saturday, extending their lead at the top to
seven points. The champions rode their luck in the first half but
took the lead just before the break through Wesley
Sneijder.
The game swung Mallorca's way after Sergio Ramos was sent off in
the 65th minute and Borja Valero's stunning equaliser soon after
had the visitors desperately hanging on at the end. 'The sending
off changed the game. Bearing that in mind, and the stage of the
season we are at, a point is a good result,' Real coach Bernd
Schuster said.
The leaders have 66 points with seven games left to play. On
Sunday, second-placed Villarreal can close to within four points
with a victory at Sevilla, while Barcelona, who are third on 58,
host UEFA Cup quarter-finalists Getafe.
Earlier, French striker Florent Sinama Pongolle scored
the only goal as Recreativo Huelva won 1-0 at Osasuna. The former
Liverpool player outpaced the home defence to score in the 37th
minute, earning Recre three valuable points that dragged them out
of the relegation places. They climbed to 16th in the standings one
point short of their hosts in 14th.
Mallorca had clearer chances in an open first half against their
visitors from Madrid, having a goal harshly ruled out for a foul in
the build up and a good shout for a penalty waved away just before
halftime. By then the league leaders had scored.
Dutch winger Arjen Robben dribbled into area and his low cross
was pushed into the path of his compatriot Sneijder to score in the
43rd minute. The visitors looked relatively comfortable until Ramos
picked up his second yellow card with 25 minutes to go.
Former Real youth team player Valero grabbed the equaliser,
running on to Juan Arango's deft touch to curl a shot into the top
corner. Guiza rattled the bar with the goal gaping near the end but
Mallorca were unable to complete what would have been their third
victory over Schuster's side since the turn of the year.
