Real slip to 2-1 defeat at Betis
Sunday, February 17, 2008

eal Madrid slipped to their second defeat in three games after surrendering an early lead to lose 2-1 at struggling Real Betis on Saturday.

Midfielder Royston Drenthe put the Primera Liga pacesetters in front in the sixth minute but Betis struck two quickfire goals before the break, Brazilian forward Edu heading the first and winger Mark Gonzalez nodding the second. Second-placed Barcelona can cut Real's lead to five points when they visit Real Zaragoza in the late match.

Improving Sevilla moved up to sixth with a 4-2 victory in an entertaining match at Espanyol.

Brazil striker Luis Fabiano took his tally for the season to 17 when he fired Sevilla's opening goal while African Footballer of the Year Frederic Kanoute added the second.

Christian Poulsen and Diego Capel were also on target for the visitors.

Espanyol, who had Pablo Zabaleta sent off after 65 minutes, have lost five out of six games but remain fifth, three points clear of Sevilla.

Real Madrid got off to the perfect start at the Ruiz de Lopera when Drenthe angled a shot in at the far post after fellow Dutchman Arjen Robben cut the ball across the area.

GOOD CHANCES

The visitors had two good chances to extend their advantage as Raul fired straight at Portugal keeper Ricardo and Robben lashed over with his weaker right foot.

Just as Madrid looked to be at their most comfortable, Betis hit back with two goals in four minutes.

Edu got in between Madrid defenders Marcelo and Sergio Ramos to power in a header at the far post from a cross by Mariano Pavone.

The second was an almost exact replica, except this time it was former Liverpool winger Gonzalez who outjumped Ramos and Marcelo to head in after Edu had turned fullback Michel Salgado inside out before crossing.

Madrid coach Bernd Schuster planned to rest Ruud van Nistelrooy before Tuesday's Champions League match against AS Roma but threw on the striker with half an hour to go.

The Dutchman almost equalised when he hit the post before Betis went on to claim their first points in three games to move four points clear of the drop zone.