体坛英语新闻：Sevilla beats Real Madrid to give emotion to the Spanish title race

MADRID, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- Goals from Jesus Navas and Renato gave Sevilla a thrilling win at home to Real Madrid to ensure the battle for the Primera Liga title is not a two horse race between Madrid and Barcelona so early in the season.

The win puts Sevilla level on points with Real Madrid and three points behind league leaders FC Barcelona.

    Had Madrid won, the big two in Spain would have already been six points clear of their nearest rivals, but Sevilla made it clear from the start that it is a side to be taken seriously.

    The team that finished third in Spain last year dominated the first half in the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium and had it not been for an outstanding display from Madrid keeper Iker Casillas, who pulled off several outstanding saves, Manolo Jimenez's impressive side would have won by a greater margin.

Sevilla's goalkeeper Andres Palop celebrates after his team mate Jesus Navas scored against Real Madrid during their Spanish First Division soccer match at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville October 4, 2009

    However, Casillas was helpless when Jesus Navas outwitted Marcelo to head home the opening goal after 33 minutes.

    Pepe leveled the scores from a header four minutes into the second half, but Renato scored the winning goal with another header as the Madrid defense completely failed to pick him up at the edge of the six yard box after 66 minutes.

    Sevilla could have scored more goals, but Madrid almost snatched a late equalizer as Sergio Ramos fired wide with the last kick of the game.

    Valencia won 1-0 away to Santander to move up to fifth in the table, thanks to a goal from Nikola Zigic.

    However, Spain striker David Villa limped out of the game with a hamstring injury and will probably miss Spain's final World Cup qualifying games.

    Elsewhere Iker Muniain's equalizer for Athletic Club Bilbao in the 2-2 draw in Valladolid made the 16 year old the youngest player to score a goal in the Primera Liga.

    Athletic lost striker Fernando Llorente, who was taken to hospital in the first half after a clash of heads with Valladolid defender left him unconscious.

    Villarreal is still looking for its first win in six games after drawing 0-0 at home to Espanyol.

Real Madrid's Diarra (L) jumps to head the ball next to Raul and Sevilla's Fernando Navarro during their Spanish First Division soccer match at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville October 4, 2009

The visiting side had to play 75 minutes with 10 men after central defender Forlin was sent off for a professional foul on Giuseppe Rossi, but Villarreal rarely troubled Espanyol keeper Carlos Kameni.

    Xerez scored its first goal of the season, but could only draw 1-1 at home to a Malaga side that has dropped into the relegation zone.

    Osasuna paid for missing a hatful of chances with a 2-1 defeat in Getafe. Pedro Leon scored the winning goal for the home side.

    Finally Sporting Gijon came back from a goal down to hammer Mallorca 4-1. Miguel Angel de las Cuevas scored twice for the home side after Luis Moran leveled the scores in the El Molinon Stadium.

Real Madrid's Kaka reacts during their Spanish First Division soccer match against Sevilla at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville October 4, 2009