Sevilla moved to the top of the Primera Liga table with a 3-1 away victory over Recreativo Huelva, while Real Madrid edged past Espanyol 1-0 on Sunday. Sevilla are in charge of the league table with 34 points, one ahead of second-placed Barcelona who didn't play this weekend due to their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup. Real Madrid are continuing the chase as they lie third on 32 points. At the Estadio Nuevo Colombino, Jesus Vazquez's goal for Recreativo in the 19th minute cancelled out Luis Fabiano's opener in the 11th minute from the penalty spot. In-form Malian striker Frederic Kanoute restored the lead for the visitors in the 36th minute and Jesus Navas ensured the win eight minutes after the interval.
Nistelrooy Sevilla defender Aitor Ocio was sent-off four minutes past the hour mark for a second bookable offense. Elsewhere, Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy struck home in the second-half to help Real Madrid beat Espanyol. In the 50th minute, Nistelrooy collected Guti's neat pass inside the area and brilliantly span around his marker to hit a low drive past Espanyol keeper Carlos Kameni. Italian international defender Fabio Cannavaro, who is nominated for the FIFA World Player of the Year award on Monday, was harshly sent-off five minutes later. The referee gave him second booking for an alleged handball but television replays showed that the ball hit Cannavaro's face.
