Spanish leaders crash away

SPAIN: League leaders Deportivo La Coruna crashed to their worst defeat for nearly two seasons when they went down 4-1 at Real Mallorca last night.

However, the top four teams in Spain at the start of the weekend all lost to ensure that the Galican side were not toppled from pole position.

Deportivo have 26 points from 14 games while Alaves, who lost 1-0 at Villarreal, stay in second place with 24 points to a superior goal difference over Real Betis, who won 2-1 away at Osasuna.

Real Mallorca dominated the game from the outset and two early goals from captain Alberto Luque, the second coming from 25 metres out, set a blistering pace.

Walter Pandiani, starting a rare game, headed home a Victor Sanchez cross after 28 minutes to keep Deportivo in touch at the break but shambolic defending gave away the three points as Vejlko Paunovic and Alejandro Campano scored in the second half.

Alaves controlled their game at Villarreal for long periods, especially during the second half, but the home side prevailed when Victor Fernandez found the net seven minutes before the break for the only goal of the game.

Villarreal's Romanian midfielder Constantin Galca sent the ball into the area and the ball skimed off the head of team-mate Rodolfo Arruabarrena before falling favourably for Victor. "We had several clear chances but didn't take them. They had just one chance but scored, that's the way things go sometimes," said a disappointed Alaves coach Mane Esnal.

Two goals in four minutes gave Betis only their second away victory of the season in Pamplona. Osasuna defender Mariano Armentano headed the ball into his own goal to give Betis the lead after 55 minutes and their second came soon afterwards thanks to an individual effort from Betis midfielder Juan Jose Canas.

Ivan Rosado pulled one back for the hosts with 14 minutes to play but Betis held on, despite some late pressure.

ITALY: Twice World Player of the Year Ronaldo made an 18-minute appearance as a substitute as Inter Milan returned to second place in Serie A with a 2-0 win over Fiorentina last night.

The Brazilian was making his first appearance since his ill-fated comeback against Lecce on November 4th when he limped off with a thigh strain after just 14 minutes. Inter were two goals up when Ronaldo replaced Christian Vieri in the 72nd minute.

Sierra Leone striker Mohammed Kallon put Inter ahead a minute before the break, scrambling the ball home after a mis-hit shot from Vieri had bounced out off Fiorentina keeper Alex Manninger.

Vieri doubled Inter's lead in the 54th minute from the penalty spot after Emre Belozoglu had been brought down by Fiorentina's Brazilian midfielder Amaral.

Inter are one point behind leaders Chievo who have 23 points after they beat Perugia 2-0 earlier yesterday.