Real Madrid moved to the brink of their first Spanish league title since 1997 as a poacher's goal from Guti earned them a 1-0 win at neighbours Rayo Vallecano.

However, with second-placed Deportivo Coruna also winning yesterday - 3-2 at Real Oviedo thanks to a Diego Tristan hattrick and the cool head of midfielder-turned-keeper Donato - Real have not yet wrapped up the title with three games still to play.

But with a six-point advantage and a better head-to-head record than Deportivo, victory at home to Alaves next week will give them an unassailable lead whatever Javier Irureta's side manage against Valladolid.

After 35 games, Real lead the standings with 73 points, followed by Deportivo on 67.

Champions League finalists Valencia kept their hold on third place with 62 points with a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao on Friday. They were joined on that mark by Real Mallorca, who won 1-0 at Espanyol thanks to an Alberto Luque goal.

Zinedine Zidane was the star as Juventus came from behind to beat Bologna 4-1 yesterday and stay in the race for the Italian first division title.

But the early stages saw Bologna produce their best work. Renato Olive had already gone close when the home side's veteran striker Giuseppe Signori put the hosts in front.

However, Juventus replied with goals from French striker David Trezeguet (two), Croatian defender Igor Tudor and Yugoslav substitute Darko Kovacevic. AFP Fenerbahce stayed three points clear of Istanbul rivals Galatasaray after both teams won their penultimate league matches yesterday to take the title race to the final week of the season.

Fenerbahce beat Bursaspor 20 at home, while defending champions Galatasaray won by the same score at Gaziantepspor.