Spanish La Liga:Sevilla took advantage of Barcelona's participation at the Club World Cup to reclaim top spot in the Primera Liga with a 3-1 win at Recreativo Huelva yesterday.

And Real Madrid bounced back from last week's 2-1 defeat at Sevilla as Ruud van Nistelrooy earned them a 1-0 win at Espanyol with a sharp strike early in the second half.

The visitors held on to inflict a first defeat in 11 matches on Espanyol despite having centre back Fabio Cannavaro unluckily sent off almost immediately after they took the lead.

Sevilla top the table with 34 points from 15 games, one more than Barcelona who have a game in hand and two more than Real.

Sevilla took the lead against Recreativo Huelva when Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano converted a penalty. But Recre were level nine minutes later when Jesus Vazquez headed home at the far post.

Sevilla restored their lead 10 minutes before the break with striker Frederic Kanoute reacting quickly to smash home from close range after Luis Fabiano's header hit the far post. And tricky winger Navas drilled in to make it 3-1 after good work by the Brazilian midfielder Daniel Alves.

Atletico Madrid moved up to fourth place last night when they beat Getafe 1-0 at home. Maniche's strike in the 24th minute gives Atletico 27 points with Getafe now in seventh with 22 points.