La Liga: Real go top as Barcelona lose ground

Real Madrid continued their fine start to the Primera Division season with a steady if unspectacular 1-0 home win over Racing Santander.

AP

Real Madrid players celebrate taking the lead

Gonzalo Higuain scored the only goal of the game in the 22nd minute as Madrid made it 28 points from a possible 33 from their 11 games so far.

It was not the most convincing of performances by Madrid, but the three points will be what concerns coach Manuel Pellegrini most ahead of an important week that sees them play FC Zurich in the Champions League and then travel to the Nou Camp to face Barca next weekend.

Barcelona will head into El Clasico in second place in the Primera Division after being held to a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao.

The Spanish and European champions looked on course to reclaim their place at the summit when Dani Alves opened the scoring in the 54th minute, but substitute Gaizka Toquero levelled matters nine minutes later and Athletic held on for a point.

Sevilla beat promoted Tenerife 2-1 away to keep the pressure on the leaders in La Liga on Saturday and hold on for an eighth league win of the season.

Manolo Jimenez's side took control just after the half hour when Diego Perotti struck the opener. Renato then doubled their lead three minutes after the break and the three points looked guaranteed. But there were some nervous moments for the Andalusians late on after Nino pulled a goal back with 15 minutes still left on the clock.

Real host Racing Santander later on Saturday, before leaders Barcelona, with 26 points, visit Athletic Bilbao in a re-run of last year's King's Cup final.

A hotly-disputed injury-time penalty gave Deportivo Coruna a 2-1 victory over visiting Atletico Madrid, that moved them up to fourth with 22 points.

Sergio Aguero poached an early goal for Atletico but Argentine compatriot Diego Colotto levelled for Depor with a back post header in the 20th. Mexico's Andres Guardado netted the spot kick at the end after Pablo Ibanez was penalised for bringing down Albert Lopo. Struggling Atletico remain in the relegation zone with seven points.