Real Madrid cut Barcelona’s lead at the summit back to three points after recovering from an early deficit to defeat mid-table Almeria 2-1 tonight.
Madrid, seeking an immediate response to their demoralising 2-0 home defeat to Barca in ‘El Clasico’ last weekend, created chance after chance but were made to sweat before recording their seventh successive away win.
Almeria shocked their big-spending visitors by taking a 14th-minute lead through Albert Crusat, but a fine Cristiano Ronaldo goal drew Madrid level nine minutes later and Rafael van der Vaart secured the victory in the 69th minute.