Real seal comeback win over Osasuna

Real Madrid battled back from a goal down to beat bottom-of-the-table Osasuna 3-1 yesterday and reclaim second spot in the Primera Liga from Sevilla, 12 points behind leaders Barcelona.

Jose Antonio Camacho's side took a shock lead at the Bernabeu on 20 minutes when Iranian midfielder Javad Nekounam outleapt Fabio Cannavaro to nod Jaroslav Plasil's cross past Iker Casillas.

An error by goalkeeper Roberto Fernandez gifted Real an equaliser just after the break when a long-range Sergio Ramos shot spooned into the net off his hands and Gonzalo Higuain netted shortly after, tapping home Arjen Robben's low cross.

In-form Robben made sure of the points in added time, cutting in from the right and driving the ball past Fernandez.

The match ended in controversy after Osasuna midfielder Juanfran was shown a second yellow card for diving when he appeared to have been fouled in the area by Pepe.

His earlier caution had also come after a penalty claim when Fernando Gago looked to have felled the former Real player on the edge of the box.

"I come back here after four years to try to play well for my team and I get sent off because of mistakes by the referee," Juanfran said. "It hurts a lot."

Real's win followed Barcelona's 5-0 thrashing of Deportivo La Coruna at the Nou Camp on Saturday.

The Catalans have amassed a record number of points for the first half of a season, with 50 from 19 matches, eclipsing the previous best of 47 set by Real Madrid last term.

Results

Played yesterday: Getafe vs Racing Santander 0-1; Malaga vs Espanyol 4-0; R. Madrid vs Osasuna 3-1; R. Valladolid vs R. Betis 1-3; Rec. Huelva vs S. Gijon 2-0; Villarreal vs Real Mallorca 2-0; A. Bilbao vs Valencia 3-2; Almeria vs Atletico Madrid 1-1. Played on Saturday: Barcelona vs Deportivo 5-0; Sevilla vs Numancia 1-0.

Leading standings

Barcelona 50
Real Madrid, Sevilla 38
Valencia 34
Villarreal 33
Malaga, Atl. Madrid 31
Deportivo 30
A. Bilbao 26
Rac. Santander 25
S. Gijon 24.