Leaders Real Madrid scored two late goals to secure a 3-1 home win over Deportivo Coruna yesterday. Deportivo took a second-minute lead through Xisco in the Bernabeu, though Ruud van Nistelrooy quickly levelled from the penalty spot.

Real improved after a poor first half, but it was not until the 79th minute when substitute Raul put the champions in front. Robinho added a third at the end.

Real are top with 22 points from nine games, two ahead of arch-rivals Barcelona who moved up to second after they comfortably saw off promoted Almeria 2-0 in the Nou Camp.

France striker Thierry Henry, whose recent performances have been put under the spotlight, poached his fourth league goal just before the break.

Argentina's Lionel Messi came off the bench to convert a penalty nine minutes from time.

Valencia are third with 18 points, the same as Villarreal, after they fell 3-0 away to a Sevilla side motivated to give new coach Manuel Jimenez a winning start.

Jimenez saw Frederic Kanoute fire the opener in the 10th minute. They made sure of their third victory in a week when Christian Poulsen and Luis Fabiano netted late in the second half.

Fourth-placed Villarreal were hammered 4-1 at Real Zaragoza.