Mourinho run ends with Sporting upset

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho saw his infamous league home record come to an end with unfashionable Sporting Gijon defeating his Real side 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu yesterday to put a huge dent in their title hopes.

Miguel de las Cuevas stunned Real with a 78th minute winner as Mourinho lost his first home league match in over nine years with his last loss back in February 2003 when his FC Porto side lost 2-1 at home to Beira Mar.

Real, who had won their previous 14 home league matches this season, stay five points behind arch rivals Barcelona in the Spanish first division and the champions can open that advantage to eight points with victory at Villarreal (match played late yester-day).

The return of Argentine international forward Gonzalo Higuain, out of action with a back problem since late November, was the only positive on a terrible night for Real, who must pick themselves up for Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Tottenham Hotspur at the Bernabeu.

Real were without top-scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Marcelo through injury and Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso was also missing through suspension.

Real were pressing but then conceded a shock goal with De las Cuevas receiving a cut back on 78 minutes and the former Atletico Madrid man drilled a low shot past Iker Casillas.

On 82 minutes Khedira somehow failed to equalise metres from goal as Sporting breathed a huge sigh of relief while Mourinho was left visibly furious on the touchline.

Emmanuel Adebayor and Higuain missed chances in a frantic finale as Sporting held on to become the first team to win at the Bernabeu this season and end Mourinho’s historic home run.

Primera Liga
R. Madrid 0 - S. Gijon 1
Getafe 2 - Valencia 4