Real remain on course after dour win over Murcia

Real Madrid stayed on course to retain the Spanish title after they recovered from a first-half sending-off to clinch a 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Real Murcia at the Bernabeu on Sunday.

Real, who had won just one of their previous four matches, looked to be in trouble when fullback Miguel Torres was given a straight red for ploughing into Murcia midfielder Dani Aquino on 20 minutes. But despite a poor performance they managed to make off with the points thanks to a flash of brilliance from Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder who curled a shot into the corner on the hour after dispossessing a defender on the edge of the area.

With six matches left to play, Real lead the table on 69 points, nine ahead of Barcelona, who were held 2-2 at Recreativo Huelva on Saturday, and 10 clear of Villarreal who are away to Almeria in Sunday's late match.

Behind the top three, the race for the remaining Champions League place hotted up after Atletico Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw at Valladolid while Sevilla clinched a 3-2 win away against Real Mallorca. Atletico looked to be on course for a narrow win after Argentine midfielder Maxi Rodriguez put the visitors in front with a spectacular half-volley midway through the second half.